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SportsBoat_F4A14.book Page 16 Monday, May 17, 2021 1:01 PM

Safety information

Wakeboarding and water-  A second person should be on board as a
skiing spotter to watch the wakeboarder or wa-
ter-skier; in most states, it is required by
You can use the boat to tow a wakeboarder
law. Let the person being pulled direct the
or water-skier, using the ski tow hook provid-
operator’s control of speed and direction
ed.
with hand signals. Be sure the seat is
It is the boat operator’s responsibility to be
locked in place (see page 55) before get-
alert to the safety of the wakeboarder or wa-
ting underway.
ter-skier and others. Know and follow all state
 When preparing to pull the wakeboarder or
and local regulations in effect for the waters
water-skier, operate the boat at the slowest
in which you will be operating.
possible speed until the boat is well away
The following are some important consider-
from the person being pulled and slack in
ations for minimizing risks while pulling a
the tow-rope is taken up. Make sure that
wakeboarder or water-skier.
the rope is not looped around anything.
 The wakeboarder or water-skier should
After checking that the wakeboarder or wa-
wear an approved PFD, preferably a bright-
ter-skier is ready and that there is no traffic
ly colored one so boat operators can see
or other obstacles, apply enough throttle to
the person being pulled.
raise the person.
 The wakeboarder or water-skier should
 Make smooth, wide turns. The boat is ca-
wear protective clothing. Severe internal in-
pable of very sharp turns, which could ex-
juries can occur if water is forced into body
ceed the abilities of the wakeboarder or
cavities as a result of falling into the water
water-skier. Keep the person being pulled
or while reboarding. Normal swimwear
at least 50 m (164 ft), about twice the dis-
does not adequately protect against force-
tance of a standard tow-rope, away from
ful water entry into the rectum or vagina.
any potential hazard.
The person being pulled should wear a
 The operators of boats and other water-
wetsuit bottom or clothing that provides
craft may not be aware that you are pulling
equivalent protection. Such clothing in-
a wakeboarder or water-skier. Together
cludes thick, tightly woven, sturdy, and
with the spotter, pay attention to others
snug-fitting apparel such as denim, but
around you and cruise at safe speeds.
does not include spandex or similar fab-
 Be alert to the hazard of the tow-rope han-
rics, like those used in bicycle shorts.
dle snapping back at the boat when the
wakeboarder or water-skier falls or is un-
able to get up on the skis.
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