LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Labor Day brings the last summer yachting weekend in history, and some are braving the warmer temperatures to head out on Lake Mead.
Boats launched easily on Friday, with no more than a truck or two waiting in front of them.
The regulars say the winter is quieter than expected.
“Last year there were lines backed up for two hours,” said Adam, a local boater. “I haven’t seen more than six people marching this year.”
“I think a lot of people are put off coming here right now because of the water level and the bad pressure the lakes are getting,” said boater Scott Dunn.
However, water sports businesses that rent out jet skis, such as Above All in Las Vegas, say that having only one launch pad has made for their worst summer ever.
“We’ve seen more of them than we’ve sent this year,” said Kim Kelch, owner of All Above Las Vegas ATV Tours and Watercraft Rentals. “One in five have not even seen the lake this year. “How much impact has my business had?”
Kelch decided this summer to only do multi-day rentals. The goal was to avoid people coming back unhappy after spending most of their day waiting to launch.
“That was the only thing that made sense to me to make it worth the effort and money for people,” Kelch said. There is no guarantee that there will be more water in the lake, so we don’t even know what next year will look like for us.
Boaters departing from Hemenway Harbor on Friday found the changes positive.
“There are so many new great beaches,” said boater Craig Travers. “It’s not good that the water is low, but that’s what low water creates all these beautiful beaches.”
Park officials say be more aware of your surroundings, as low levels mean more danger to trip you up. This may include hitting your rock.
Officials say wait times can reach four hours on holiday weekends like Labor Day. Willow Beach can reach capacity at 9 am on weekends.
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