When is it Legal to Wakesurf?

Maximizing your time surfing can lead to afternoons that quickly turn to dusk. Depending on what US state you live in, this can be the difference between stopping your surf session or getting in a few more. But when do you need to stop surfing? And more importantly, at what time is it legal to wakesurf in your state?

We searched the web and couldn’t find a source of truth that detailed each state’s law on what time surfing, or towing someone, needs to cease. In response to that, we scoured each state’s boating pamphlet, or in some cases online state legislature, to make a comprehensive list to answer the question: Is wakesurfing legal at night?

Like with any rule, there are some exceptions. Both Alaska nor Mississippi don’t have any laws against towing surfers after dusk. While it might be legal, we definitely suggest stopping when you can’t see. Night surfing might seem cool, but without the correct equipment, it can be incredibly dangerous.

If you want all of the below information in a nice infographic, check out one of our other blogs!

Alabama

Prohibited period: Between sundown to sunrise

Alaska

There are no prohibited periods in Alaska

Does your state prohibit water skiing during any specific time of the day/night? No

https://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/state-boating-laws-details.php?id=52&state=Alaska#:~:text=Alaska%20%20%20Question%20%20%20Data%20,%20No%20one%20%2041%20more%20rows%20

Arizona

Prohibited period: Between sunset and sunrise

Arizona Laws 5-346. Water skiing, Article D

D. No watercraft operator shall have in tow a person or persons on water skis, a surfboard or similar contrivance during the hours between sunset and sunrise.

https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/arizona/az-laws/arizona_laws_5-346

Arkansas

Prohibited period: 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.

California

Prohibited period: From sunset to sunrise

The towing of water skiers from sunset to sunrise is prohibited by state law. Local laws
may also restrict skiing at specific times during the day and in certain areas. For more
information, please visit: www.dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Watski/TowingSports.pdf.

http://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/DBW_ABCs_of_Boating_2017.pdf#TOC

Colorado

Prohibited period: From sunset to sunrise

The towing of water skiers, aquaplanes, surfboards, inner tubes, and
similar devices from sunset to sunrise is prohibited by state law.

https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Boating/BoatingRegulations.pdf

Connecticut

Prohibited Period: 30 minutes after sunset until sunrise or when visibility is restricted to less than 100 yards

The operator of the vessel and the waterskier are responsible for
operating in a manner which does not harm or strike another person or
vessel. Waterskiing is forbidden between 30 minutes after sunset until
sunrise or when visibility is restricted to less than 100 yards

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/Boating/boating_guide/part3pdf.pdf

Delaware

Prohibited period: Between sunset and sunrise

5.1.5 No person shall engage in water skiing and no person shall operate a vessel towing a person so engaged between sunset and sunrise.

https://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title7/3000/3100%20Boating%20Regulations/3100.shtml

Florida

Prohibited period: 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise

Georgia

Prohibited period: Between sunset and sunrise

Hawai’i

Prohibited Period: From sunset to sunrise

Idaho

Prohibited period: One hour after sunset to one hour prior to sunrise

Illinois

Prohibited period: Half-hour after sunset to half-hour before sunrise

A person may not be towed from half-hour after sunset to half-hour before sunrise

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/boating/Documents/BoatDigest.pdf

Indiana

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

Iowa

Prohibited period: 30 minutes after sunset to sunrise

Kansas

Prohibited period: One-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise

(a) No person shall operate a vessel on any waters of this state towing a person or persons on water skis, a surfboard, or similar device, nor shall any person engage in water skiing, surfboarding, or similar activity at any time between the hours from one-half hour after sunset to one- half hour before sunrise.

https://ksoutdoors.com/content/download/18067/124092/file/complete%20statute%20section%20for%20web.pdf

Kentucky

Prohibited period: Between sunrise and sunset

While this section is titled waterskiing, it applies to persons being towed on any device such as knee boards, inner tubes, etc. Water-skiing is only allowed between sunrise and sunset.

https://fw.ky.gov/FishBoatGuide/Pages/Boating.aspx#1

Louisiana

Prohibited period: One hour after sunset to one hour prior to sunrise

B. No motorboat shall have in tow or shall be otherwise assisting a person on water skis, surfboard, or similar contrivance from the period of one hour after sunset to one hour prior to sunrise; however, this Subsection shall not apply to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski tournaments, competitions, expositions, or trials therefor.

https://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/2012/rs/title34/rs34-851-15/

Maine

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

Maryland

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

Massachusetts

Prohibited period: Nighttime

Operating a motorboat during the nighttime while towing waterskiers, tubers, etc.

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/massachusetts-boating-law-summary#:~:text=Massachusetts%20Boating%20Law%20Summary%201%20Minimum%20Age%20Restrictions.,and%20observe%20all%20local%2C%20state%2C%20and%20federal%20laws.

Michigan

Prohibited period: When towing behind a boat it’s prohibited one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise. When towing behind a PWC it’s prohibited between 8:00 am and one hours after sunset.

  • One hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise if towed behind a boat
  • One hour before sunset and 8:00 a.m. if towed behind a PWC
Towing a Person With a Vessel (boat-ed.com)

Minnesota

Prohibited period: 30 minutes past sunset to sunrise

Water-skiing, tubing, wake-surfing and similar acts are prohibited between one half hour after sunset to sunrise of the following day.

https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf

Mississippi

No prohibited periods, but it is strongly recommended that you only surf during daylight hours

In addition, it is also strongly recommended that: Persons be towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device only during daylight hours

https://assets.kalkomey.com/boater/pdfs/handbook/mississippi-handbook-entire.pdf

Missouri

Prohibited period: Legal sunset to legal sunrise

Montana

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

Does your state prohibit water skiing during any specific time of the day/night? Sunset & sunrise

https://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/state-boating-laws-details.php?id=80&state=Montana#:~:text=Montana%20%20%20Question%20%20%20Data%20,must%20either%20…%20%2034%20more%20rows%20

Nebraska

Prohibited period: Nighttime

Does your state prohibit water skiing during any specific time of the day/night? Nighttime

https://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/state-boating-laws-details.php?id=81&state=Nebraska

Nevada

Prohibited period: No water sports at night

New Hampshire

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

“Ski craft” may be operated on any lake, pond, river, or coastal water during the daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) only

https://assets.kalkomey.com/boater/pdfs/handbook/newhampshire-handbook-entire.pdf

New Jersey

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

Does your state prohibit water skiing during any specific time of the day/night? Sunset to sunrise

https://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/state-boating-laws-details.php?id=84&state=New%20Jersey

New Mexico

Prohibited period: One hour after sunset to one hour prior to sunrise

New York

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

North Carolina

Prohibited period: 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise

Does your state prohibit water skiing during any specific time of the day/night? From 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.

https://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/state-boating-laws-details.php?id=87&state=North%20Carolina#:~:text=North%20Carolina%20%20%20Question%20%20%20Data,%20%20No%20%2041%20more%20rows%20

North Dakota

Prohibited period: One hour after sunset to one hour prior to sunrise

Ohio

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise unless given special permit

ORC 1547.16: No person shall water-ski or be towed on any device, or operate a vessel towing a person between sunset and sunrise except upon special permit. Consult an official sunrise-sunset table of the local area for exact times.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/rules-and-regulations/rules-and-regulations-by-division/state-parks-and-watercraft/boating-rules/ohio-operating-laws

Oklahoma

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

Oregon

Prohibited period: Sunset and sunrise

Pennsylvania

Prohibited period: Dusk to dawn

Rhode Island

Prohibited period: 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise

http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/enforce/pdfs/riboat-laws.pdf

http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/enforce/pdfs/riboat-laws.pdf

South Carolina

Prohibited period: From sunset to sunrise

No person shall operate a vessel on any waters of this State towing a person or persons on water skis, aquaplane, a surfboard, or similar devices, nor shall any person be engaged in water skiing, aquaplaning, surfboarding, or similar activity at any time between the hours from sunset to sunrise.

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t50c021.php

South Dakota

Prohibitied period: 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise

Does your state prohibit water skiing during any specific time of the day/night? 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 before sunrise

https://uscgboating.org/regulations/state-boating-laws-details.php?id=17&title=%5B4.1%5DWater%20Skiing

Tennessee

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

Texas

Prohibited period: 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes prior to sunrise

Utah

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

Vermont

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

Does your state prohibit water skiing during any specific time of the day/night? No skiing between sunset and sunrise. 

https://uscgboating.org/regulations/state-boating-laws-details.php?id=17&title=%5B4.1%5DWater%20Skiing

Virginia

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

Water skiing behind a PWC (or towing of people on other devices) is allowed only between sunrise to sunset. Check the official sunrise and sunset times for your area.

https://dwr.virginia.gov/boating/wog/water-skiing-safety/

Washington

Prohibited period: 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise

Waterskiing from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise is not permitted.

https://www.boaterexam.com/usa/washington/washington_state_boating_rules_and_regulations.pdf

West Virginia

Prohibited periods: 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise

Water skiing is not permitted between the hours of one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.

https://www.boatsafe.com/west-virginia-boating-regulations/

Wisconsin

Prohibited period: Sunset to sunrise

Wyoming

Prohibited period: One hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise

Appendix:

Alaska

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Hawai’i

Illinois

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Minnesota

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah

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