I do both. Fishing from a boat and rowing my kayak. I've been swamped too many time from boaters (yes bass and striper fishing boat too) passing by from their wake. From that perspective, I can see that all sides can be at fault. My opinion is that if we treat everyone like we want to be treated and see the lake as a PUBLIC lake and not our private personal playground and everyone has the right to use it for recreational use then there shouldn't be any conflict. Plus we don't need to get into any pissing match - that's our drinking water!

That's right... we should respect each other out there, and I think most of us do. That level of respect goes beyond just following the rules/laws. I'm in no hurry most of the time, but I do like to go 35mph from spot to spot. I just try to be considerate about it, even though my boat's wake isn't much compared to some.

With that being said, if you're not in a no wake zone, there will be wakes. Sometimes BIG wakes. Nothing wrong with that... as was said, those folks are entitled to the same level of use as everyone else.

I think one key is that folks should choose their locations wisely. To take it to extremes, don't swim out in the middle of the lake, and don't run a cigar boat WOT right next to the banks in the backs of creeks.

I started fishing Lanier from a 12' jon, and quickly learned that out in the great wide open was not the place for me. Had to beach it and completely turn it over once, to get the water out... it was kinda funny. I didn't even consider that the boats causing those waves were at fault -- they weren't. Instead, I installed a bilge pump and stayed in the creeks for the most part. Then, I got a bigger boat.

Now, I'm wondering what the law says about relieving yourself in the lake. Uh-Oh.

Charles, that was well said! I was coming out of a noarrow creek last summer at 7:00am and there was a guy swimming right in the middle of a narrow cut that I am coming throgh. Well I saw him in plenty of time, but here is the deal. If you are stupid enough to swim in that dangerous of a situation, who care who is at fault he is dead!!!

Kinda like walking across the street where pedestrians have the right of way. You can bet your butt if its me I am looking out for my life. Not just walking across not even looking because the laws says they can. When a MACK TRUCK HITS THEM again what does it matter who is a fault.

We must use common sense and not do totally stupid things.

Dan, Like my avatar says " Common sense is not so Common".....

10/4 on that one good buddy!!!

I have been trying to get in touch with USCOE, Lanier Canoe & Kayak and DNR LE. I heard a report about the rowers rowing after dark last night with no lights so be careful if you go up.

Thanks for the warning Bill. It would be my luck to run one of the idiots over at night with no lights on their yak.

Just for the record.... other than Jim Picken who heads up Lanier Rowing Club NO ONE and I mean NO ONE has returned a call....not USCOE, DNR or the Exec. Dir of Lanier Canoe & Kayak. Very disapointing!!

Sounds like cadidates for the Darwin awards. They can't say they haven't been warned.

We ought to put something in writing in case one of us winds up in court. Even though they're in the wrong it won't stop someone from trying to blame the power boaters.

OK....I finally heard back from the other club and I now have a list of events. I am scheduled to make their board meeting on Tuesday either in person or via Skype. I will keep everyone posted....

I tried to cut and paste but that didn't work too good. At least you will have the dates. The dates the ramps at Clarks Bridge will be closed are May 15, July 10, ***Sept 11*** (***note this is the same day as Lanier Striper Club Tournament***, Oct. 24.

Lanier '96 Olympic Venue Joint Calendar for 2010
As of 1/9/2010 Start Finish Area of Lake or # of Course Park Boat ramp Boat traffic Boat traffic Crossing
Major Activities and Permitted Events Date Date Time Location People Installed used closed? warning escort Guard
C/K Polar Bear Swim 1/1/2010 1/1/2010 2:00 p.m. Behind Boathouse 1000 No Pking N No No No
Row Polar Bear Row 1/1/2010 1/1/2010 10:00 a.m. Tower Side 60 No Pking N No No No
Row Rock and Row Ergatta 1/30/2010 1/30/2010 9:00 a.m. Boathouse 150 No Pking N No No No
Row SERCS (Southeast Regional Collegiate Sprints) 3/6/2010 3/6/2010 all day Olympic Course 600 Yes Pking Yes Yes Yes Yes
C/K Spring Forward 5K Benefit Run 3/13 or 14/2010 3/13/ or 14 2010 Park and Plaza No Pking N No No Yes
C/K Lula Bridge Race 3/20/2010 3/20/2010 8:00 a.m. Olympic Course 100 Buoys Pking N Yes No No
Row John Hunter Regatta 3/27/2010 3/28/2010 all day Olympic Course 2000 Olympic Pking Yes Yes Yes Yes
C/K Spring Richardson Racing League Fun Race 5/1/2010 5/1/2010 10 a.m. Behind Boathouse 200 Club Pking N Yes Yes No
C/K Southern Invitational 5/8/2010 5/8/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 100 Club Pking N Yes No No
Rental BGCHC Duck Derby 5/15/2010 5/15/2010 8 a.m. Park Area 1000 Swim Line Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
C/K Spring Richardson Racing League Fungatta 5/15/2010 5/15/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 250 Club Pking Yes Yes Yes Yes
C/K Archdiocese of Atlanta Mass and Dragonboat event 5/16/2010 5/16/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 200 No Pking N No No No
C/K Youth Dragon Boat Challenge & LDRS #1 5/22/2010 5/22/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 200 No Pking N No No No
C/K Dragon Boat 10K & LDRS # 2 6/26/2010 6/26/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 200 No Pking N No No No
Row Lanier Summer Sprints 7/10/2010 7/10/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 500 Olympic Pking Yes Yes Yes
C/K LDRS Finals 8/28/2010 8/26/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 200 Olympic Pking N No No No
C/K Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 9/11/2010 9/11/2010 all day Olympic Course 5000 Club Pking Yes Yes No Yes
C/K Fall Richardson Racing League Fun Race 9/18/2010 9/18/2010 10 a.m. Behind Boathouse 200 No Pking N Yes Yes No
Row Taste of Gainesville 9/25/2010 9/25/2010 6 p.m. Tower Side 2000 No Pking N No No No
C/K Fall Richardson Racing League Fungatta 10/2/2010 10/2/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 200 Club Pking N Yes Yes Yes
Row Head of Lanier 10/23/2010 10/24/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 5000 Club Pking Yes Yes Yes Yes
C/K Halloween Howl 10/30/2010 10/30/2010 8 a.m. Olympic Course 60 Club Pking N Yes No No