Good morning,
I am the Executive Director of the Lake Norman Marine Commission (LNMC), and would like to take the opportunity to dispel the misinformation circulating here and on other social media. The allegations and assumptions about the LNMC considering restricting certain boating activities on the lake for erosion or any other issue is
NOT correct.
The LNMC has worked diligently to improve communications with ALL interested parties on matters pertaining to Lake Norman and the LNMC is disappointed that it was not contacted for comment prior to the release of this misinformation on social media and on this & other web sites and forums.
The LNMC is steadfast in its’ commitment to ensure that the rights of ALL boaters on the waters of Lake Norman are protected. With that said, the LNMC is just as steadfast in its’ position that ALL boaters adhere, respect and obey the laws and regulations regarding safe boating operations. Among these laws and regulations is the state mandated No Wake law for Lake Norman:
§ 75A 14.1. Lake Norman No Wake Zone.
It is unlawful to operate a vessel at greater than no wake speed within 50 yards of a vessel launching area, bridge, dock, pier, marina, vessel storage structure, or vessel service area on the waters of Lake Norman. (1997 129, s. 4; 1997 257, s. 10; 1998 217, s. 49; 2006 185, s. 1.)
There exists a LNMC ordinance pertaining to No Wake buoys, an application and process for obtaining No Wake buoys, and a specification sheet for No Wake buoys, all of which can be found on our web site,
www.lnmc.org . No Wake buoys that are approved by the LNMC are an affirmation of, a delineation of, and serves to provide a visual cue of the No Wake zone that already exists as defined in the State statute above . . . the buoys do not create new No Wake areas.
As mentioned by other posts, Lake Norman has a number of wake boarders and wake surfers that are inconsiderate of the safety of others boaters & swimmers, property, and laws & ordinances regarding safe boating operation by operating in coves that are too narrow to do so and too close to other boaters and structures. Unfortunately, a few bad apples are giving the conscientious members of your sport a bad reputation and black eye.
The LNMC encourages and welcomes attendance and participation of the public at our meetings, and looks forward to hearing comments and concerns regarding Lake Norman. It is unfortunate however the basis for the call to action heard here and on other social media sites was not confirmed prior to being distributed, and is based on false information. It is hoped that as much effort being put forth by the wake boarding/surfing community with this call to action is reciprocated with the same efforts toward self policing to insure that the safety, respect and common courtesy toward all users of Lake Norman is first and foremost in everyone's thought process.
Thank you and safe boating,
Ron Shoultz