Seppe Van Pugh, Pepe Le Pew's Dutch cousin.
A windsurfer who was concerned about the parking situation. Shred Dog, is that you?

There has been much anxiety recently over windsurfing access at Van Pugh Park on Lake Lanier- more specifically, windsurfing trailer access. To recap for those who haven't been paying attention or cared (which is the larger number of you, we're sure): Recently, several club members found themselves under the scrutiny of park officials for parking trailers along the curb by the windsurfing beach as we have since before World Champion Philip Köster was born. While we thought we'd put the issue to bed after consulting Chief Ranger Chris Arthur, a subsequent episode indicated that things weren't quite settled.

For the windsurfing community, the issue was both symbolic and real. Lake Lanier is the largest open body of water in North Georgia. Van Pugh Park is the most popular windsurfing location on Lake Lanier, mostly due to its exposure to prevailing westerlies. Most of the best high wind sailing occurs here as countless photos in our Foto Gallery document. If there is a picture of a windsurfer in N. Georgia five feet over the water, it likely was taken at Van Pugh. (Clarks Hill is every bit as good and big but it's two and half hours away in Augusta).

Many of the most experienced windsurfers here have trailers. a) we tend to have three or more boards and rigs from 3ish to 9ish sq. m., b) carry the gear on long trips such as to Hatteras or the Keys, c) our families don't want that crap in the car (especially the wetsuits), d) it saves considerable time packing up and coming home, and e) having it all in the trailer means you aren't forgetting your harness at home. In reality, it means if we are going to Van Pugh, we hook up the trailer and go. For a brief while, the concern was that we couldn't park our trailers in the vicinity of the windsurfing beach, nullifying the benefits of having a trailer and making packing, rigging, etc much more problematic.

To resolve the issue, Chief Ranger Arthur asked if he could meet us with our trailer at Van Pugh. From his original discussions with Gene Mathis, he came across as someone very positive and who supported our use of Lake Lanier.

Chief Ranger Arthur met us at Van Pugh yesterday afternoon and he couldn't have been nicer. Of course, his responsibilities are much broader than getting some whining windsurfers access to the water - dock permits, lake levels, water quality, rule enforcement, park facilities and maintanence, water safety and we're sure we're still leaving a bunch of stuff out. So, we were appreciative that he took the time to personally meet us.

He explained that the parking "issue" was about rule conformity rather than any restriction on our access. He has a number of rangers and parks under his responsibility. The simpler and more clear cut rules such as parking are, the easier it is to enforce the rules. Not that they aren't sympathetic to our needs but it makes it more difficult to enforce the rules against flagrant violators if the rules aren't seen as enforced uniformly. To put it in more basic terms, the a-wipe who's taking three parking spots for his monster truck can try and weasle out by pointing at our trailers. It makes an already overworked ranger's job more complicated than it needs to be.

Windsurfers vent their frustrations

He does see his role as helping us to enjoy the lake. He said more than several times how much he likes that we use the lake. The issue is how to do it within the "rules". Sure, he could make new rules but that's a ton of paperwork, time and expense.

In a stroke of simplicity, he came up with the following solutions:
1) Windsurfing trailers are allowed in single spaces at Van Pugh if they are disconnected. In other words, disconnect and wheel your trailer into one spot and park elsewhere. Of course, if you are a good sport, your car will be parked a bit away to save a spot on the grass for your friends who arrive next. We also mentioned Vann's Tavern - let us/him know if you think any other parks need to be denoted.
2) Every other solid line on the curb running up the hill is going to be, by a bit of black paint, turned into a dotted line. Thus, a car/trailer combo can take up two spaces along that curb. Like a middle line, you can cross the dotted line to park but not a solid line. That should give those who can't or don't want to disconnect a number of spaces up the hill. (Edit: Single cars can still park there, too. )
3) Parking is first-come, first served. If the park is open and the spaces are open, you can use them. There are no restrictions on our use because everyone else wants to come, too.

Map indicating parking spaces to be remarked to allow trailer parking.

One caveat: In the primo first space on the curb, please pull up completely into the parking space. We asked if that space could be extended back but it can't because of how parking lots need to be laid out per their traffic engineers. It involves the spaces that run perpendicular to the grass, curbs alongside, turning radii, etc.

He also asked if the ramp into the water was working for us. We told him we liked it, it really helped when carrying gear. If you see any erosion underneath the ramp, please contact the Corps immediately so they can prevent the erosion from undermining the ramp and causing more expensive repairs later.

If there is anything else you think could improve our experience on the lake, he is receptive to your suggestions.

Naturally, you ask, what's the catch? None. Nothing. Nada. Chief Ranger Arthur likes for people to use the lake, including us. He sees that as an important part of his job.

But there is one thing that you can do to help besides the normal "act like a responsible grownup stuff". If ever you have an opportunity for his staff to make a talk or presentation to a group (youth, school, church, club, etc.) about water safety, PFD use, CPR and the importance of swimming instruction, please let the Corps know. We're sure that the unnecessary tragedies each year weigh on him and his staff.

If you have questions, comments or would just like to say a big thank you (hint, hint), you can contact Chief Ranger Chris Arthur at 770-945-9531 or email chris.d.arthur@usace.army.mil

or visit the new Lake Lanier website: www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreations/LakeSidneyLanier.aspx