The Broads Authority is to write to wake boarders reminding them not to jump on the water or create a sustained wash following a series of complaints from other Broads users.
The management of water skiing agreed between the Broads Authority and water skiers two years ago has been very successful. But following complaints over the last few months the Broads Authority called an urgent meeting with British Waterski and the Eastern Rivers Ski Club to address the question of wake boarding.
Wakeboarding is a form of water skiing which involves a specialist board, and the skier, towed on a rope, rides the wake generated by the ski boat, often performing acrobatic tricks, which is considered to be in breach of Broads Authority byelaws. It is one of the fastest growing water sports requiring a high level of skill but is also suitable for novice skiers and to get children started in the world of water skiing.
The present byelaws, adopted in 1992, which preceded the development of wakeboarding, prohibit the skier from leaving the water or creating a sustained wake against the bank of more than a foot.
The Broads Authority and Eastern Rivers Ski Club, the only water ski club on the Broads, are now writing to all skiers reiterating the byelaws, and extra patrols on the rivers will support their enforcement.
Dr John Packman, Chief Executive of the Broads Authority, said:
"The Broads Authority is concerned that a number of complaints have been received from other river users that specifically mention the excessive wake, making it difficult to navigate and maintain a course due to rolling. The Authority will be informing its navigation rangers to be more vigilant and further patrols will be undertaken to ensure that the byelaws are being followed."
"The Broads Authority is keen to encourage a wide variety of appropriate activities on the Broads. However, it must also endeavour to ensure the safety of all its users. The Authority hopes that those participating in this sport will take the appropriate action and help us to ensure the safety of other river users and the future of water skiing on the Broads."
The Eastern Rivers Ski Club, supported by British Water Ski, has undertaken to continue to encourage its members to act responsibly and within the byelaws. However, they are keen to clarify the clause in the byelaw relating to being on the water that was written in 1978 before wakeboarding had developed.
Since March the Broads Authority has received complaints from boat owners and birdwatchers who believe there has been a big increase in wakeboarding this year, that a number of ski boats have been modified for wakeboarding and that byelaws are being contravened.
However since the Broads Authority and the Ski Clubs drew up a management plan two years ago the number of ski boats has fallen dramatically from the agreed ceiling of 166 to 64 this year.
Julian Barnwell, Chairman of Eastern Rivers Ski Club, who is also a member of the Yare Users Association and the Broads Authority's Broads Forum, said:
"The reality is that there has been a dramatic drop in the number of ski boats in the last two or three years. We have eliminated the cowboy element and we are left with an extremely responsible hard core of enthusiastic and dedicated people who are keen to work with the Broads Authority and not conflict with other broads users."
As a result of the management plan
- All water skiers and wakeboarders on the Broads have to be members of the ERSC, which is affiliated to British Water Ski, providing public indemnity,
- All boat drivers have to pass the British Waterski Ski Boat Driver Award, which is recognised by the Royal Yachting Association, and have the option of taking the International Certificate of Competence,
- Unlike other boat owners ski boat owners must take out boat insurance,
- All members of ERSC pay a £25 fixed charge to help with the administration of managing water skiing on the Broads,
- Water skiing is limited to 3% of the Broads area with restricted time zones.
A presentation on wakeboarding will be made to the Broads Forum, a Broads Authority advisory committee comprising a wide range of broads users, so that issues involved can be properly explored.
Reproduced by kind permission of
Broads Authority.
