One of my earliest memories is climbing from my dad’s arms onto his back while he waterskied across Lake Lillinonah. I was three years old, and even then, the water felt like home. Nearly 40 years later, boating remains one of the biggest parts of my life. Today, I’m fortunate to share that same passion with my wife and our daughter on several of Connecticut’s lakes, especially Candlewood Lake. Christopoher Perry For our family, boating has always been about more than spending time on the water. It’s an opportunity to share experiences, create lasting memories, and develop valuable life skills. Watching my daughter build confidence, develop perseverance, and learn to respect others on the water reminds me why these places matter so much. Our experience isn’t unique, though. Connecticut’s public waterways are where grandparents teach grandchildren to fish, teenagers discover a love for sailing, families spend weekends together, and children learn to waterski. These lakes belong to all of us, and they should remain safe, accessible, and welcoming for everyone who enjoys them responsibly. That is why the conversations taking place across Connecticut this summer about wakesurfing and public water access are so important. As a lifelong boater and someone who teaches wakesurfing through camps and private lessons, I’ve learned that responsible boating starts long before a boat leaves the dock. It starts with education. Every season I meet families who genuinely want to do the right thing. They ask where it’s appropriate to wakesurf, how to safely share the water with paddlers and anglers, and how to be courteous to nearby homeowners. When people understand not just the rules, but the reasons behind them, they make better decisions. Safe wakesurfing means maintaining appropriate distances from shore, docks, swimmers, anglers, paddlers, and other boaters. It means avoiding repetitive passes, minimizing unnecessary noise, and recognizing that we’re all sharing the same public waterways. Those aren’t simply recommendations. They’re part of being a good neighbor on the water. Education, however, is only part of the solution. Today, most water sports in Connecticut are governed through a combination of statewide boating laws and locally adopted ordinances, meaning the rules can vary from one lake to the next. While general boating laws apply statewide, municipalities and lake authorities may adopt additional restrictions on boating activities. This patchwork of regulations can be difficult for boaters to understand and equally challenging for law enforcement to enforce consistently. As communities continue discussing wakesurfing and public water access, I believe we have an opportunity to focus on what unites us by creating clear, commonsense, consistent statewide rules. Pairing those rules with strong boater education will improve safety while making it easier for boaters, lake communities, and law enforcement to understand what’s expected on the water. Every time my family heads out on Candlewood Lake, I’m reminded of what these waters have given us: unforgettable memories, stronger family bonds, and lessons that extend far beyond boating. When my daughter was just one year old, I held her in my arms as we slowly rode a wave together. Today she’s a dedicated wakesurfer, and watching her confidence grow has been every bit as rewarding as watching her skills improve. I hope that one day she’ll have the opportunity to share those same experiences with her own family. Through boater education and clear, commonsense statewide rules, we can keep Connecticut’s public waterways safe, accessible, and welcoming for today’s families and for generations to come. Christopher Perry of Brookfield is Sales Manager at Candlewood East Marina. ...read more read less