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Monday, June 8, 2015
BOATING
Wakesurfers breaking bad waves Sproat Lake community voices frustration with water sports thrill seekers damaging shore property MARTIN WISSMATH ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
It’s wakesurfing – not wakeboarding – that’s causing the damage to lakefront properties and angering residents, says the Sproat Lake Community Association president. Stan Kujala said the SLCA is considering how best to approach the problem of wakesurfers and the big waves they make, which has washed over docks and boats. Signs will be put up and educational material published that suggests designated areas around Sproat Lake for the sport. Wakesurfing is similar to wakeboarding, with participants riding a board on their feet while pulled behind a speedboat; but it differs in the size of the wake created. For wakesurfing, a relatively newer variation, the boats are ballasted with water weights and fitted with drop-down gates or wedges to create large whitecapped waves to “surf” on. “I’ve had some of my boats damaged,” said Kujala. “They’ve been smashed against the dock. I had a tin boat on the beach one day that got swamped – some waves came in, flooded the whole back of the boat. So it is a problem and I can see it becoming a larger problem as more and more of these [wakesurfing] boats show up on the lake.” Most of the wakesurfers he’s noticed are from out of town, Kujala said.
“it is a problem and I can see it becoming a larger problem as more and more of these boats show up on the lake.” Stan Kujala, GFAC vice-chairwoman
Sproat Lake regional director Penny Cote agreed that wakesurfing is a problem and a priority for residents. Cote said the large waves are not just damaging docks and boats, but eroding the shoreline. “People have very expensive wharfs, boat houses, boats,” Cote said, adding residents have put up breakwaters to protect their property. “I heard from someone down on Stirling [Arm Drive] that they had to fix their wharf three times...it’s very frustrating. “Either they don’t know or they don’t care,” Cote said about the wakesurfers. To better inform them, a sandwich board will be put up this week by the Sproat Lake Marine Patrol at the boat launch which calls attention to boaters to remain 30 metres away from docks and floats, and to keep their wake to a minimum. The marine patrol will also hand out brochures about boating etiquette. According to Transport Canada, boaters are responsible
A young wakesurfer catches a wave as he wakesurfs on Sproat Lake last summer. Sproat Lake residents are calling for restrictions on the sport because of the large waves that damage boats and docks. [THE CANADIAN PRESS]
for the damage caused by their wake. “A boat’s wake can damage other vessels, docks and the shoreline,” states the federal ministry’s Safe Boating Guide. “Be aware of how your boat’s wake might affect others when choosing your speed. You will be responsible for any damages or harm you cause.” Kujala said he hasn’t seen the rules enforced on Sproat Lake by the RCMP. “But the law is there to pursue if wakesurfing is causing damage to one’s property,” he noted.
Arthur Skipsey, a long-time Sproat Lake homeowner, wrote a letter to the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and gave a presentation to the board of directors last month about the problem of wakesurfing – though Skipsey referred to it as “wakeboarding.” “Waves come over float decks,” Skipsey stated. He suggested posting speed limits and restricting the sport to areas where there is no housing. ACRD chief administrative officer Russel Dyson said the regional district can put up signs
but does not have the authority to enforce federal laws. Kujala said he isn’t seeking a blanket ban on wakesurfing. “I have to be somewhat diplomatic in the position I’m in,” said the SLCA president. “I honestly don’t think you’re going to be able to stop [wakesurfing], I just think it has to be done at the right place, the right time, and with respect to people’s property and other people using the lake.” Kujala suggested that maps of the lake with designated areas could be made available for wakesurfers. They would need to stay away from lakefront property, he said. For obstinate wakesurfers who disregard the SLCA’s suggestions, some law enforcement would be needed, Kujala noted. The RCMP were not available for comment before press time. The Sproat Lake Community Association is an organization of volunteers who meet to discuss issues concerning Sproat Lake residents. For more information see www.sproatlakecommunityassociation.ca. Martin.Wissmath@avtimes.net » We want to hear from you. Send comments on this story to letters@avtimes.net. Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.
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NATURAL RESOURCES
Low water levels bring restrictions, reduced gillnet fishery KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
The City of Port Alberni has implemented Stage 1 water restrictions effective today. Residents are permitted to water lawns and gardens only between 6 and 9 a.m. and 7 and 10 p.m. on odd or even-numbered calendar days that correspond with the property’s odd or even address number. The hot and dry weather in May required the water restrictions to be put into place and Councillor Chris Alemany said it is slightly earlier than usual. “Towards the end of July we usually get into this scenario,” Alemany said. He is confident that with the recent discussions about water conservation and the warm temperatures Port Alberni is experiencing, residents will comply. “The City will monitor how much consumption is taking place and it is a good idea to remind neighbours if you see them watering too much,” he said. The City requests people not waste water by washing cars or
hosing off driveways. The Stage 1 water restrictions will be in place until further notice. If the hot, dry weather continues, further restrictions could be issued. Lower than expected escapement concerns at the Paper Mill Dam have forced the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations to reduce the gillnet fishery this week. The high temperatures and low water levels on the river raised issues last week about the run of sockeye. Already this season, 20,000 sockeye have been caught by First Nations gillnetters on the Somass River. Schedules are as follows: The boundaries are from Papermill Dam seaward to a line from 10 mile point to Hook Bay. Commercial Gillnet schedule: June 7, Sunday 12 p.m. – opens. June 9 Tuesday 12 p.m. – closes inside Pollys Point. June 10 Wednesday 12 p.m. – closes all areas. Further adjustments will be made as necessary.
Curtis Nielsen of Ladysmith was ready to take his gillnet fishing boat, the Good Year, out on Sunday at the Clutesi Haven Marina to catch sockeye salmon. [MARTIN WISSMATH, TIMES]
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