Do you have to wear a vest if you are wake surfing

(cramey) · (cramey) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 07-01-2003, 8:55 AM

well do you?

lets say you a.) paddle into boat, and b.) never touch boat.

or lets say you used a handle and then tossed it back in and when the sherrif pulled you over, you didn't have a connection to the boat.

I wonder if it would be like that carpool lane argument when the lady was 9 months preagnant and claimed she had a passenger. like one of those loophole laws.

(greatdane) · (greatdane) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 07-01-2003, 8:58 AM

The better question is: will the water cop give you a ticket? Answer: yes.

(timmy) · (timmy) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 07-01-2003, 9:01 AM

i suppose that argument would have to be for states that require that you wear vests whils skiing. when my friends and I wakesurf we wear vests, simply because we are lazy and don't want to tread water or support ourselves with the board. also, there is the inherent chance of inhaling too much CO and clunking your head on the board or boat.

maybe they could fine you for following too close to a boat (<200ft)

bassboy8855 07-01-2003, 9:02 AM

better question: am i an idiot to not where a lifevest? Answer: yes.

(aaronlee13) · (aaronlee13) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 07-01-2003, 9:11 AM

why not.... wearing a vest doesn't hinder your riding... wont get a ticket... is a life vest that big of a deal... not to me..

(cramey) · (cramey) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 07-01-2003, 9:14 AM

the question was not, is it unsafe to blah blah, can i get CO poisining, do i need a uscga vest, do i need this or that...

the question have to was... do you have to , by law.

tim, maybe they could bust you for the 200' rule. but i thought the boat had to stay 200' away from the person in the water, not the other way around.

(timmy) · (timmy) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 07-01-2003, 9:17 AM

i suppose it would matter if you are willing to get a lawyer and pay more than the fine to fight it out of principle?

(big_poppa_pump)

You need to check the local laws in your state.

This is what it states in Arizona.

*************

Section 5-331

B. Any person being towed behind a watercraft shall wear a buoyant belt or personal flotation device while being towed except for a performer engaged in a professional exhibition.

**************

I guess you can argue that you are technically not being "towed", you might also get away with wearing one of those rash guards with the foam padding, a floating keychain, a pair of kids floaties on your arms etc.

Expect you or your boat driver to get hassled. Even if you can weasel out of it, you will be a marked man for any other possible violations.

(blabel) · (blabel) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 07-01-2003, 10:18 AM

I think you might have a hard time explaining how you got into the wave without ever being attached to the boat (Rope or Swimstep)

isaac_d_funk 07-01-2003, 11:14 AM

The answer is YES!! I got a ticket last year for not wearing a vest will surfing. I tried to pleed my case"I was being propelled not pulled" and all it got me was a bigger ticket. After that he started asking where are your flare's and your throwable floatation's. Just wear it at save yourself the hassel.

flipside 07-01-2003, 11:22 AM

"I think you might have a hard time explaining how you got into the wave without ever being attached to the boat (Rope or Swimstep)"
- I'm sure it wouldn't be easy, but I've seen a videos of pros doing it. U don't have to be at all pulled by the boat to get up on a wakesurf board.

FlipsidE

(greatdane) · (greatdane) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 07-01-2003, 11:29 AM

Again, the bottom line is, the water cop is going to hear your argument and feel more compelled to tell you to tell it to the judge.
I think 9.9 of 10 water cops will give you a ticket even if you may be technically legal.

flipside 07-01-2003, 11:38 AM

"Again, the bottom line is, the water cop is going to hear your argument and feel more compelled to tell you to tell it to the judge.
I think 9.9 of 10 water cops will give you a ticket even if you may be technically legal."
- Let me say first and foremost, I won't be doing any kind of watersport without a coast guard approved life vest of some kind on. But, at the same time, if I had gotten up wout being towed...or even somehow taken my life vest off and thrown it on the boat after I got up...if that were the case and the same law applied here as it does in AZ...and then the cop told me to tell it to the judge, then that's what I would do. I would not just agree with something that's not technically in the law books.

FlipsidE

(rock_n_boardin)

This is kinda not on the point, but if you were going to Wake Surf without a vest, you should wear a leash on your board and ankle like a regular surf board. That would make it much safer if you get knocked out. At least your buddies could go to the board and pull you out of the water.

Cheers

norcal_99 07-01-2003, 12:40 PM

Try it and see, but the day in court to fight the ticket could have been better spent on the delta.