Wake Education Task Force share towed watersports safety tips ahead of fourth of July week
Published: Jun. 28, 2024 at 7:17 AM
MONETA, Va. (WDBJ) – Thousands are gearing up to celebrate the fourth of July at Smith Mountain Lake. But one task force is educating people about the importance of towed watersports safety ahead of the busy week.
During the summer months, people head out to Smith Mountain Lake and enjoy the watersports that come along with boating. However, the Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission received concerns from community members about damage to docks and a lack of towed water sports safety.
“The community that does the towed sports really didn’t want legislation. So, we were continuing hearing education rather than legislation,” said Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission Executive Director, Kristina Sage.
In response, the board established the Wake Education Task Force in 2022, funded jointly with the Smith Mountain Lake Association.
“The board brought together a group comprised of water sports enthusiasts and residents and other people that had voiced concerns on the lake. We have 12 community members that work together to develop the four points that we are pushing on the community for safety’s sake; they developed the map that shows the safer places to participate in water sports and get the word out to both the resident permanent community and the visiting tourist community,” said Sage.
“We feel like the awareness has increased dramatically through the Wake Education Task Force and we continue to want that to expand,” said Smith Mountain Lake Association President Bill Butterfield.
The days surrounding the Fourth of July holiday bring thousands of visitors to Smith Mountain Lake, meaning more risks of injuries.
“Last year, when we compared it statewide, Smith Mountain Lake exceeded any other body of water in the state of Virginia. Not by a little bit but by a factor of 2 to 3. So, it’s a place where things do go wrong,” said Smith Mountain Lake Water Safety Council Member Randy Stow.
The Wake Education Task Force is committed to improving courtesy and safety for all recreation to be enjoyable. That’s why it’s focusing on 4 main tips people should follow while out on the lake.
“Stay 200 feet away from shorelines and docks, avoid repetitive passes, avoid narrow coves and congested areas and avoid erratic driving. With towed watersports, people are out on the water having fun; sometimes things tend to get a little crazy out there. So, safety of your rider, the folks that are on your boat and other boaters around you are the main goals that we’re trying to focus on,” said Wake Education Task Force Secretary Joy Manning.
It’s also important to wear life jackets any time you are in or around the water. but most importantly…
“Make sure you have both an operator/driver that’s paying attention to the things that are going on around them and then an observer to watch the person being towed. One person can’t effectively do both. Sometimes we get to having a lot of fun in the boat and we forget about the person that’s being towed back there,” said Stow.
Other safety tips:
- Always pick up your riders on the starboard side or driver’s side of the boat so you have eyes on your rider at all times.
- Avoid power turns to pick up your riders – no need to throw a huge wake as you turn around to pick up your rider. In an emergency the best plan is to put your boat in between the oncoming boat and your rider.
- Always have an adult handle the ropes. Never wrap or loop the rope or get the rope wrapped around you or a limp will preparing to ride. Once that rope gets taut it could cause serious injury or loss of a limb.
The WET Force has QR codes on all of publications, signs and flyers. Visit tricountylakes.org/who-we-are/wake-education-task-force/ to find more boater safety tips, videos and a map of the lake that shows safe locations to enjoy towed water sports activities and areas to avoid. Plus, a list of events that the Wake Education Task Force will be attending.
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