BOATsmart! Canada
Knowledge Base

We get it, your boat’s wake can be pretty sweet for wakesurfing and wakeboarding (and we definitely agree), but if you don’t keep it under control it can also cause some serious damage to the shoreline and can be dangerous for smaller boats. Boat operators are responsible for the wake and wash of their boat.

What are wake and wash?

WAKE:

is a wave caused by the boat moving through the water and displacing it.

WASH:

is the disrupted water at the stern of the boat, and is caused by the churning motion of the propeller. 

Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and British Columbia have adopted province-wide speed limits of 10 km/h, when boating within 30 metres of shore. These speed limits aren’t always posted however, they are in effect on inland waterways. Some exceptions may apply when towing a boat or water-skier in rivers that are less than 100 m wide. For more information, boaters should check with their provincial authorities. 

Reducing the Effects of Wake and Wash

It’s important to be aware of the effects of your wake and wash on:

• Swimmers and bathing areas, such as beaches
• Docks
• Wildlife
• Shoreline erosion
• Smaller boats (such as fishing boats)
• Non-powered boats (such as canoes)
• Water-skiers
• Scuba divers
• Areas of anchorage
• Other anchored or grounded vessels

If you’re boating in any of these areas, always adjust your speed to reduce your wake and wash. This will help to prevent personal injury, shoreline erosion and damage to property.