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Water Sports & The Environment

WATER SKIING, WAKEBOARDING AND TUBING

If you’re into sports, then you’re probably into being towed behind a boat. As with any sport, you want to wear and use the proper gear and know how to perform the sport safely. Water sports normally need two or more people to make it work, and there is always some inherent risk of injury from the tow rope, objects in the water, or just hitting the water. Boat operators should take the time to properly learn the right way to tow and the skier should never ski beyond his or her capabilities.

Skier, Equipment and Operator Fundamentals

  • Skier hand signalsCommunicate with the driver of the boat and the observer. Discuss hand signals, towing procedures, speed and pickup procedures.
  • Prepare your gear. Check all tow lines and replace any line with knots or signs of weakening. Check boot or ski bindings. Ensure the life jacket is securely fastened.
  • Have the boat operator shut-off the engine before anyone gets out of the boat. A safe entry point into the water is from the swim platform. Get into the water and then have the board or ski handed to you. If tubing, have someone hold the tube close to the boat as you get into the tube. Stay low and balanced. Use 3 points of contact when moving.
  • After the ski or board is fastened and the skier is ready, or the person has entered the tube, toss them the towline.
  • Moving slowly, position the towline 90 degrees to the stern and take all slack out of the line. The skier now controls the movement of the boat through hand signals.
  • When the skier gives the signal to speed up, the towboat operator quickly accelerates to get the person up and out of the water.
  • Once the skier is up out of the water, the towboat operator slows to a speed of the skier’s choosing.
  • Maintain a minimum 200-foot wide “ski corridor" (100 feet on either side of the boat).
  • Never operate close to any object on the water. Make wide sweeping turns. Slow down when crossing wakes. Keep an eye on the skier (mirror) as you scan the water for other boaters or dangers.
  • When the skier falls, the observer yells “skier down”! Slow down and make a 180-degree turn to retrieve the skier.
  • When approaching the skier, proceed at no-wake speed, keeping the skier in sight at all times.
  • Maneuver the boat along side the skier on the same side as the operator to keep an eye on him or her at all times throughout the evolution.
  • When the boat is close to the skier, shut the engine off and let the skier swim to the boat for pickup.
  • If maneuvering the towline to the skier, a figure 8-pattern works well. Always go slow to allow the skier to grab the rope. When the skier grabs the rope, slow or stop the boat and allow the skier time to reset for the next tow.
Skier Hand Signals

Thumb Up = more speed

Arm extended out to left side = turn left

Thumb Down = less speed

Arm extended out to right side – turn right

Spinning finger in circular motion = turn

Slashing motion = cut motor, stop

Palm on top of head = return to dock

Arms crossed over head – Skier ok

Palm facing boat, fingers up = stop

Face down in the water – Skier not ok

OK sign = speed ok

Skier holding wakeboard, kneeboard or ski up in the water – skier in the water (a visual sign to other boaters in the area).

Risk Reduction Strategies for Water Sports

  • Wear a PFD, even if not required by law.
  • Watch Out for floating or partially submerged objects. Stay well clear of fixed or floating structures and the shoreline. Know where the towline is at all times.
  • Sport the Gear by wearing gloves, neoprene body suit (shorty or full), helmet, properly fitting boots and properly adjusted bindings. Ensure the towline does not have knots or frayed spots.
  • Get Trained by having an experienced person show you the proper techniques and strategies. Know hand signals for communicating.
  • Ski Sober
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