In honor of Earth Day 2025, the River Road team collaborated with the great people over at Wakesurf Media to bring you Eco-Friendly Watersports tips that are easy to follow.
Let’s be real: if you’re in, on, or around the water, you’re making an impact. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. That’s why we teamed up with Ryan and Chrissie Petrie from Wakesurf Media for an honest (and genuinely helpful) conversation about lessening our environmental footprint while still having a blast on the river or lake.
Ryan and Chrissie are two longtime wakesurfers and NBTX locals who’ve built an online community around sharing fun, family-friendly towed watersports content. Wakesurf Media was formed in 2017 when they noticed a lack of positive, family-friendly content in the space, and it has been growing ever since. They’ve seen the good, the bad, and the totally clueless out on the water—and, in honor of Earth Day 2025, we put together some tips to help us all do better.
Their Love of Water Runs Deep
For Ryan, water sports run in the family genes. His grandfather was an avid water-skier who even built his own boat at one point. After years of wakeboarding, Ryan eventually transitioned to wakesurfing as a lower-intensity way (on his body, at least) to stay on the water.
Once Chrissie came into the picture, she had no choice but to get swept up in the fun. Many “dates” were had at Texas Ski Ranch, and once you start being around towed watersports, it’s only a matter of time until you get addicted as well, she says.
Hard Truth About River Impact
Ryan doesn’t want to sugarcoat this for people: “Every type of watersport, especially those with a motorized boat, has some kind of impact on the environment. With that in mind, it is our responsibility to minimize that impact as much as possible.”
So, what does that look like in practice? For starters:
When Wakesurfing, Stay 200 Feet From Shore
Why? Your wake needs time to dissipate before hitting the shoreline, Ryan says. According to a 2022 study, keeping a 200-foot buffer between you and the shore means your wave carries no more additional impact than naturally occurring wind-driven waves. Obviously, boat traffic increases the overall number of wakes/waves than what happens naturally, but keeping a 200’ buffer is an easy way to help minimize the impact on the shoreline.
Ride in Water That’s At Least 10 Feet Deep
The shallower the water = the more environmental disruption. Plus, deeper water gives you a better wave and reduces the prop’s impact on the lakebed.
The “Yikes” List
Ryan and Chrissie have seen a lot of shenanigans out on the water, but at the top of the list for river faux-pas that make them cringe:
-
Surfing in narrow portions of the lake
-
Driving with full ballast and no rider
-
Power turns when picking up a rider
-
General lack of awareness on the water
Ultimately, they agree that shoreline erosion and water quality are two key factors that should always be protected. If you’re guilty of making one of these oopsies—hey, we’ve all been there. But now that you know, let’s try to do better.
Easy Wins for a Cleaner River Day
Ryan shared a few super simple ways to keep your fun from turning into an environmental mess:
Stash Your Trash
Get one of those net baskets that tie to your tube to catch trash before it ends up in the water.
Hand It, Don’t Toss It
Don’t throw snacks or drinks to your crew—just pass them. Your aim will not be as good as you think, and your buddy will definitely miss the catch.
Lock Your Cooler Lid
Rapids and tube chutes are notorious for flipping over cooler tubes. Fish don’t drink beer, so let’s not leave any for them.
Pick Up One Extra Item
Even if it’s not yours—grab a candy wrapper or a broken flip-flop and toss it. These little things add up.
Sunscreen That Covers You, Not The Water
Your sunscreen might do more harm than good, especially to fish, plants, and other aquatic creatures downstream. Many common sunscreens contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can harm aquatic ecosystems. The good news? There are reef-safe, non-nano mineral sunscreens that protect your skin and the water. We’re fans of brands like Stream2Sea, Thinksport, and Badger, all of which are designed to break down safely in natural environments.
Pro Tip!
Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before entering the water. That gives it time to absorb, instead of washing off immediately, which helps both the planet and your sunburn situation.
UPF Hoodies Stay on You, Not The Water
When in doubt, wear sun-protective clothing—less lotion, more function, better for everyone!
Tips to Keep It Clean On The Boat
Ryan & Chrissie have a few last suggestions to keep things clean on the boat:
Keep Trashbags On Board
Everyone is so focused on bringing towels and sunscreen that they forget to bring something to stash snack wrappers and empty cans.
Don’t Use Cupholders for Trash
It might work for a moment, but a gust of wind will toss that wrapper right into the water.
Clean Your Bilge Safely
Oil, fuel, and grime will inevitably find their way into your bilge, but that doesn’t mean it has to make it into the water. Ryan & Chrissie use a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, and always clean up on shore.
Use a Fuel Jug With a Valve
If fueling from a jug, look for hose adapters with a valve. That way, you can stop the flow of fuel with the tube still in the boat and don’t have to worry about dripping fuel into the water.
How to Get Involved in Water Cleanup (Wherever You Are)
You don’t need to be a marine biologist to make a difference—just someone who cares about keeping your favorite water spots clean. Most towns and cities have local river or lake conservation groups hosting regular cleanup days, educational events, and volunteer-based monitoring programs. Start by searching for “[your city] + river cleanup” or check with local parks departments and outdoor gear shops—they usually know what’s happening on the ground.
If you’re in Central Texas (like us), organizations like Keep Texas Waterways Clean and The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment host regular volunteer events across the Hill Country. You can also participate in local cleanup days organized by groups like the San Marcos River Foundation or Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited.
Now, How About the Dream Surf Spot?
To wrap up our wonderful conversation with Chrissie & Ryan, we had to ask (and Ryan didn’t hesitate): “Turks & Caicos. It’s the most beautiful place we’ve ever been, and to wakesurf there would be a dream!”
Check out Wakesurf Media on Instagram
for beautiful and hilarious content from out on the water.
Share:
Meet Our New Mascot, Roadie The Roadrunner!