Updated July 2026
South Carolina Wakesurfing Rules
What the rule says
South Carolina law (S.C. Code 50-21-870(B), ratified March 9, 2022) prohibits wake surfing above idle speed within 200 feet of a moored vessel, wharf, dock, bulkhead, pier or person in the water on all state waters; wake surfing is defined as a vessel ballasted in the stern to create a wake intended to be surfed. A companion provision set a 100-foot distance limit on most major named reservoirs. Violations are a misdemeanor with fines roughly $100-$600.
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The linked statute or agency page is the authority — wake-sport law is changing quickly in many states, so confirm there before you ride.
Statewide rules are the floor, not the whole picture
Individual lakes routinely add stricter limits on top of the state rule — no-wake zones, time-of-day windows, horsepower caps, and wider shoreline setbacks are all set locally by counties, lake districts, and land managers. Check the local authority for the specific water before launching.
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