Big Wakes, Small Impact
About WSFPLL
Wakeboarders, Surfers, and Foilers for the Preservation of Lakes and Loons (WSFPLL) is a community-driven association dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and long-term protection of Adirondack lakes, with a special focus on treasures like Schroon Lake.
Founded by passionate enthusiasts who have spent decades on the water, WSFPLL brings together wakeboarders, wakesurfers, and foilers who share a profound love for these sports—and an equal commitment to preserving the pristine environments that make them possible. Our founder has been wakeboarding for over 25 years and wakesurfing for more than 20, experiencing firsthand the thrill of carving perfect waves while witnessing the growing pressures on our lakes from increased use, misinformation, and proposed regulations.
We believe that wake sports and environmental stewardship are not in conflict—they can—and should—coexist. That's why our mission centers on three key pillars:
Education: Providing accurate, practical guidance on big-wave best practices that minimize impacts, including proper depth selection, ballast management, distance from shorelines and wildlife, and protocols to prevent the spread of invasives.
Responsible Boating: Promoting techniques and habits that protect water quality, reduce shoreline erosion, safeguard loon nests and other wildlife, and ensure safe sharing of the lake with paddlers, swimmers, and other users.
Advocacy and Voice: Offering the wake sports community a constructive platform in conversations about rules and regulations. Too often, the dialogue has been one-sided, relying on incomplete information. WSFPLL works to counter misinformation with facts, highlight the responsible majority of riders, and advocate for balanced, science-based approaches that preserve access for those who boat thoughtfully.
We love these lakes as much as anyone—perhaps more, since we've built lifelong memories riding on them. Our goal is simple: to keep Adirondack waters rideable and healthy for generations of boaters, loons, fish, and families alike. By leading with education and responsibility, we aim to foster mutual understanding and help shape solutions that work for everyone who cherishes these special places.
Join us in riding right, protecting what we love, and ensuring the conversation includes the voices of those who are out there every day, respecting the water.
Our 2026 Initiatives
Watch Your Wake
Be a good neighbor and Watch Your Wake. Our boats can crank out epic surf waves, but real riders know when to dial it back. Stay mindful of your distance from shore, watch out for other boaters and swimmers, and always respect the peace of the lake and its loons
Deeper Is Better
Our boats can throw an incredible wave, but the real magic happens in water deeper than 20 feet. That’s where you get the cleanest, most rideable surf wave with zero compromise. Best part? Riding deep eliminates the chance of churning up the lake bed, keeping the bottom healthy and protecting the ecosystem our loons and aquatic life depend on.
What’s At Stake?
Schroon Lake is a vital natural and recreational resource in the Adirondack Park, valued for its pristine waters, shoreline habitats, and diverse uses. As wake boat activity increases, the wake sports community must address potential impacts on the lake’s ecology, infrastructure, safety, and community relations. Understanding these stakes underscores the need for proactive education and responsible practices.
Wildlife and Shoreline Habitats Larger wake boat waves and associated disturbances threaten loon nesting sites and sensitive shoreline habitats.
Safety for Other Lake Users Persistent wake boat waves can create hazardous conditions for swimmers, paddle craft, and other boaters, increasing accident risks and reducing safe enjoyment of the lake.
Lake Bottom and Shoreline Impacts Prop wash from wake boats can disturb the lake bottom, causing harmful effects on the ecosystem. Larger waves contribute to shoreline erosion and damage to docks and near-shore structures.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Risk Ballast systems in wake boats carry a documented risk of spreading AIS between lakes, even after the vessel registers as empty. Standard AWI boat inspections and washes do not fully address residual water in ballast tanks.
Community Relations and Regulatory Risks Unresolved concerns may create dissatisfaction among neighbors and property owners. Without effective self-regulation, local laws could impose restrictions or operational requirements that complicate wake sports participation, as seen on other lakes.
A Constructive Path Forward The WSFPLL advances education, training, and best practices—including appropriate depths, distances from shore, and AIS prevention measures—to minimize these risks. This collaborative approach protects Schroon Lake’s health and sustains responsible wake sports access without heavy regulation.
By uniting as stewards, wake boat owners, lake associations, and all users can preserve this shared resource for future generations.
Join the WSFPLL Cause.
Sign up to show your support. It’s free to join. Fill out the form and register as a boat owner or athlete who is committed to supporting the preservation of the lakes and loons.
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Our Founder
Tommy Sewall is a lifelong water sports enthusiast who’s been behind a boat practically every summer since he was old enough to stand on a pair of waterskis. Today, he still rips on wakeboard, wakesurf, foil, and occasionally hops back on the slalom ski for old times’ sake. For over 20 years, he’s been teaching folks how to wakeboard, waterski, and surf right here on Schroon Lake — some summers it was literally his full-time job.
He also spent 13 summers working on Word of Life Island, living smack dab in the middle of the lake and bringing some of the world’s best wakeboarders to Schroon to teach campers how to ride and share their faith.
Tommy is deeply passionate about preserving the wake culture we all love on Schroon Lake, and he’s genuinely excited about the future — proving that wake sports and a healthy lake can (and should) thrive together.
