Written by Terry Camarata, Lake for All

Concerns have been raised about arbitrary no-wake surfing restrictions applied to specific zones on Lake Anna. Some areas are restricted from wake surfing but remain open to all other watersports. Such limitations on public waterways create confusion for boaters and challenges for enforcement.
In 2022, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources issued a public statement noting that all

atercraft and sports create wake, and that prohibiting wake surfing in areas where other watersports occur would not have a significant impact on public safety. This makes it clear that wake surfing should be allowed wherever other watersports are permitted. To comply with Virginia’s position on wake, the lake should remain fully open to all watersports.

Lake Anna Lake For All Users (LFA), a group dedicated to protecting all watersports through education and mutual respect, supports rules that are equally applied to all watercraft. While Virginia law requires a minimum 50-foot distance when underway, LFA encourages a 200-foot buffer from shores, docks, and other watercraft—particularly during peak weekends and holidays when lake traffic is heaviest.

The greatest safety risk for wake surfers, wake boarders, knee boarders, skiers, or tubers comes from high-speed watercraft. A rider who falls is vulnerable, and a speeding boater has only seconds to avoid impact. Maintaining a 200-foot buffer gives operators more time to react and prevent life-threatening accidents. Consider the speeds: fishing boats and PWCs often travel 40–70 mph, waterskiing averages 30 mph, wakeboarding 25 mph, tubing 20 mph, while wake surfing stays at just 11 mph.

One of the most common complaints on Lake Anna is the lack of boating education among renters and visitors. To address this, LFA developed two educational initiatives. The first is the postcard program. If a member sees a boater not following the 200-foot guideline, they approach in a friendly manner, provide a postcard explaining the recommendation, and share a QR code linking to the LFA Facebook page for more information. The second initiative involves signs at marinas and restaurants displaying the same safety message and QR code. Both programs have been well-received, reinforcing LFA’s mission of education over regulation.

During a breakout session on water safety at the Wavemaker event, participants unanimously agreed that education—not additional regulation—was the key to addressing issues. Enforcement on the lake is limited, and more rules without oversight are ineffective.

Proposed restrictions on wake surfing could also impact property values. Future buyers are likely to be families who want to enjoy watersports directly in front of their homes—not miles away in crowded designated zones. Lake Anna is a public lake, and its waters belong to everyone. All watersports should be allowed in all areas equitably. See you on the water.

Jen Bailey

Hi! I’m Jennifer Bailey and I partner with entrepreneurs who have massive ideas that could change the world. Most marketing is meaningless. Filled with empty promises, its only job is to bring in new traffic, new leads, and new customers. But I’ve drawn a line in the sand, and I’ve learned that marketing can do so much more than reach business goals and build profit. My methods give businesses the fire and soul they need to reach the right people, set the groundwork for sustainable relationships, and offer true value to the people on both the giving and receiving ends of marketing.

Read more about me here