Webinar: The Impact of Wake Sports in the Adirondacks | January 14, 2026
- Adirondack Park New York, NY United States (map)
Wake Sports in the Adirondacks: The Hidden Impacts and Dangers to Our Ecosystems
Wakeboarder on an Adirondack lake.
Wake surfing and wakeboarding have surged in popularity on lakes across the United States, including many within the Adirondack Park.
These high-energy water sports are undeniably fun—but they also raise important questions about environmental impact, shoreline health, wildlife disturbance, and long-term lake sustainability.
A free, timely webinar hosted by the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation aims to explore those questions in depth and offer practical paths forward for communities across the Adirondacks.
Understanding wake boats and why they’re different.
At the heart of the conversation is the wake boat itself. Unlike traditional motorboats, wake boats are specifically designed to create large, surfable waves by displacing significant amounts of water.
The majestic loon.
Ballast systems, specialized hulls, and slow operating speeds combine to produce wakes that can be several feet high—often far larger and more powerful than those created by conventional recreational boats.
This webinar will clearly define what qualifies as a “wake boat” and explain how its design and operation differ from those of other watercraft commonly used on Adirondack lakes. For lake associations, shoreline property owners, paddlers, anglers, and swimmers, understanding these distinctions is essential to grasping why wake boats have become a growing concern among lake stewards.
Environmental impacts on Adirondack lakes.
The Adirondack Park is home to some of the most ecologically sensitive freshwater systems in the Northeast.
According to lake scientists and conservation groups, large wakes generated close to shore can contribute to shoreline erosion, disturb aquatic vegetation, resuspend sediments, and degrade fish spawning habitat.
These impacts can ripple through the ecosystem, affecting water clarity, nutrient balance, and wildlife—including the common loon, a species of special concern in New York State.
Loon family.
This webinar will outline the documented environmental concerns associated with wake boat use and explain why smaller, shallower, or narrower lakes may be particularly vulnerable. The goal is not to vilify recreation, but to promote informed, responsible use that balances enjoyment with stewardship.
Lessons from Vermont: real-world policy in action.
One of the featured speakers is Laura Dlugolecki of Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation. Dlugolecki will share firsthand experience from Vermont’s 2024 enactment of wake boat operation restrictions, offering insight into how science-based policy can be developed and implemented at the state level.
Equally important, she will discuss how outreach and collaboration with the wake boat community played a role in the rollout of these new laws—highlighting that education and dialogue are critical tools alongside regulation.
Adirondack-specific solutions and community education.
The impact of wakeboarding on a serene Adirondack lake.
The webinar will also feature Scott Ireland, Executive Director of the Adirondack Lakes Alliance. Ireland will provide an overview of proposed wake-boat restrictions under discussion for Adirondack lakes and examine the rapid growth of wake sports within the Park.
His presentation will emphasize the need for community education, local decision-making, and proactive planning—especially as municipalities navigate how to protect water resources while accommodating evolving recreational trends.
Who should attend this free webinar?
This webinar is especially relevant for:
Lake association members and lake stewards
Local government officials and planning boards
Shoreline homeowners
Environmental advocates
Recreational boaters and wake sports enthusiasts
Anyone invested in the long-term health of Adirondack lakes
Registration is free and required. You can reserve your spot online.
A collaborative effort across the Adirondacks.
This educational webinar is co-sponsored by a broad coalition of regional organizations, including the Adirondack Council, Adirondack Watershed Institute, Protect the Adirondacks!, and the Upper Saranac Foundation, reflecting the shared urgency and importance of this topic across the Park.
For Adirondack residents and visitors alike, this webinar offers an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and join a thoughtful conversation about how recreation and conservation can coexist—on the water and beyond.
Shop our store for unique Adirondack gifts, clothing, merchandise and cool stuff.
ADK Talks Podcast
Love the Adirondacks? You’ll love our podcast. We take listeners beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of the Adirondacks. We share stories from the people behind the best places to eat, shop, stay and explore in the ADK. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
