Conference vicki::boats

    Right on Rick !!!
    
    It's funny how certain people get grouped together solely based
    on their recreational interests.  I used to be big into water
    skiing and have heard all the same arguments you list.
    
    These days my interests have moved on to fishing, and guess what...
    Same grief !!  Nobody wants any tournaments on "their" water since
    all us fishermen with high-powered bassboats are out speeding
    dangerously close to everyone else, we ALL leave hooks on docks
    when we get snagged, and throw used line into the water !!!
    
    Give me break.  I've seen LOTS of idiots on the water in every type
    of boat/situation.  I've seen maniacs in Ranger Bassboats wake-jumping,
    I've seen Ski-Nautiques doing stupid meneuvers with and without skiers,
    and ordinary Joes out with their cuddies doing equally stupid things.
    
    I guess the point is...  There is a certain percentage of idiots out
    there (and always will be) on the water making things dangerous for
    general population.  To classify all (or the majority of) the idiots
    as "Fisherman", or "water skiers" , or "divers" is ridiculous.
    
    No personal attacks implied here ... honestly.
    
    Oh yeah, Rick .. Just watch how you use the term "Wally" would ya ;^)
    
    Walter (aka Wally)
    
    
    

	We can start by having a positive attitude and working to change
	the misconceptions which people have.  I agree with you and we
	must educate, however we must realize that there will always be
	a few who will ruin it for the masses.  JetSkis are another good
	example.  It looks like a fun sport and I'm sure there are many
	responsible JetSkiers out there, but I've only been exposed to
	a few very irresponsible people.

	On well travelled water-ways where the faces will change week
	to week, it can be very difficult to educate.  However, if you
	find yourself frequenting a certain water-way and coming across
	the same "wally's", you can do something.  Why not ride over to
	them and talk to them about it, especially if they're messing up
	the lake?  Be diplomatic.  You're the experienced skier.  Offer
	to take them skiing with you.  Throw them out on the boom.  Show
	them how much fun you have while being responsible.  Show them how
	much a safe and calm water-way means to you.  You might make
	a new friend.  People are generally cool, and heck, water skier are
	really just members of one big family.  You know what I mean!  They
	may not be trying to mess up our reputation;  they probably don't
	know any better.  Non-skiers on the lake may see a change and take
	notice.  Who knows, they may not, but at least you're doing something
	to create change, and that's what's important.  If you don't frequent
	a certain water-way or there are different wally's all the time,
	I don't know if I'd bother.

	The negative attitudes people have towards skiers is not an obstacle
	to us.  It is an opportunity for us to become more aware and more
	responsible citizens of the water-skiing community (and the boating
	community in general).

	-ric.

    Where do I begin?
    
    On my lake, I am very well known not only as a Skier but as a
    conservationist.  We should all try and give back to our lakes and
    ponds more than we take.
    Not to toot my own horn, but some related credentials are as follows:
    
    - Past president and current director of the Suncook Lakes Asssociation.
      (A 450 family membership organization established in 1933-I've been
      *involved* for the last 10 years or so)
    - Coordinator for the NHVLAP (N.H. Volunteer Lake Assessment Program)-A
      volunteer water sampling/testing program to assist the state in
      maintaining the quality of N.H. waterways.
    - Loon Preservation Society-participant in the annual loon watch.
    - Member of the AWSA (American Waterski Association)
    - Member of the NHWSA (N.H. Waterski Association)
    - Coordinator for the (almost) annual waterski show. (We try to put
      this on in conjunction with E.C. (Exceptional Children) Week at the
      summer camp on the lake)
    - Also a certified Red Cross Lifesaver.  :^)
    
    I also have a very good repoire with the NH Marine Patrol,-(don't ask
    for any favors :^))  all the way to Concord.
    
    My point?  I could have been just another Yahoo on the lake, but what
     started out as a diplomatic effort turned into alot of my time doing
    important things for the lake, the state and to assure future
    generations the same (or better) water quality that I have enjoyed.
    
    Again, I have no problems on my lake with skiing the Slalom Course
    early morning (people have thanked me for idling out to the course in
    the wee hours - I am aware that some people like to sleep in the
    morning)  and doing *insane and dangerous things* (sic) like skiing
    without skis on my feet.  But again, people on my lake know me, and my
    capabilities.
    
    But take this same person, same boat onto another lake and it's "Oh no,
    here comes another Yahoo!"  I can't help their perception of me as I
    lauch, (having a *RED* boat probably doesn't help matters) but the way
    I act while on the lake might help. Typically the boat isn't moving
    faster than an idle unless there is someone skiing. I am *Very* aware
    of shorefront owners and their rights.  (A real yahoo would say, "they
    have no rights-they don't own the water")  That is part of the reason
    why Jetskis are banned on so many lakes- as Ric said, I too have only
    been exposed to irresponsible ones.  I just don't want to come across
    signs in the future that say "No AWSA Approved Skiboats Allowed"
    
    It's a lot of work to maintain the privledge to recreate...
    
    Doug_I'm tired.
     

    re: -1
    
    Aha! So YOU'RE the water skier we all marvelled at last August. (The
    one who actually seemed to know the rules of the waterway. We (my
    family and our neighbors) sat on our docks in a state of shock seeing a
    responsible skier in our cove.
    
    Perhaps you could send an article about responsible skiing behavior to
    the NH Lakes Federation newsletter?
    
    (Actually, I bet there's probably another conscientious skier up north
    of you...unless you were skiing Braun Bay on Winnipesaukee last
    August?)
    
    I guess there's enough "Wally" out there that a *real* skier reall
    stands out.....
    
    John H-C

    re: .0
    
    If I were a skier I'd be as frustrated as you are, but the last note
    is right on - the yahoo count for jetskis and any other high
    power-to-size ratio craft (including most skiboats) is pretty high
    in most places.
    
    I'm afraid that it is the good apples in the barrel that are in the
    minority.

    
    	I refuse to believe that responsible boaters are a minority.
    I think the antics of the ignorant few are just so flagrant that
    it appears as if the idiots have taken over the waterways.
    
    re: Walter... sorry 'bout the name.... I'll try to refrain... :-)
    
    Rick

	Rick,

	I agree.  It's often the bad egg that can spoil the whole
	bunch.  That's life.  Not just on the water, but everywhere.
	It does sound kind of negative, but the positive of it is
	that if we can accpect it, the quicker we can act.

	I hate to sound cliche, but think globally and act locally.
	If you see something that bothers you, do something about
	it, even if it's only in your own backyard.  My attitude is
	that if you're not going to do something about it, you've got
	no right to complain.

	Do the best you can in your neighborhood to affect CHANGE.
	That includes being courteous and responsible on your own
	behalf and doing your best to educate those around you.

	Doug has a great attitude.  He's made a presence of himself
	as a representative of the skiing community.  Look at the
	attitudes of the people on his lake.  Kudos Doug!  As he has
	done, if you see a problem, work to solve it!

	-ric.

    I'd be alot more prone to believe that the attention was due more to
    the MA registration than the type of boat (although the combination
    may have had some part).  This is our first year of reciprocity, we
    are in dire straights for revenue, and you know the provincial view
    taken by some people in NH of anything from Mass. :<)  This time of
    year there are less targets on the water and they have to learn what
    those MAss decals look like for later, eh?
    
    
     Sorry to hear 'bout Blueberry Cove....Even though you occasionally
    got hasseled  there it was still the nicest swimming spot on the lake.
    
                                                  Tom