Page 27 - LIT-18626-14-04

SportsBoat_F4V14.book Page 19 Tuesday, July 5, 2022 2:34 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 tow pylon (195S /
operator’s control of speed and direction
AR195 / AR190) or the ski tow hook provid-
with hand signals. Be sure the seat is
ed.
locked in place (see page 75) before get-
It is the boat operator’s responsibility to be
ting underway.
alert to the safety of the wakeboarder or wa-
 When preparing to pull the wakeboarder or
ter-skier and others. Know and follow all state
water-skier, operate the boat at the slowest
and local regulations in effect for the waters
possible speed until the boat is well away
in which you will be operating.
from the person being pulled and slack in
The following are some important consider-
the tow-rope is taken up. Make sure that
ations for minimizing risks while pulling a
the rope is not looped around anything.
wakeboarder or water-skier.
After checking that the wakeboarder or wa-
 The wakeboarder or water-skier should
ter-skier is ready and that there is no traffic
wear an approved PFD, preferably a bright-
or other obstacles, apply enough throttle to
ly colored one so boat operators can see
raise the person.
the person being pulled.
 Make smooth, wide turns. The boat is ca-
 The wakeboarder or water-skier should
pable of very sharp turns, which could ex-
wear protective clothing. Severe internal in-
ceed the abilities of the wakeboarder or
juries can occur if water is forced into body
water-skier. Keep the person being pulled
cavities as a result of falling into the water
at least 50 m (164 ft), about twice the dis-
or while reboarding. Normal swimwear
tance of a standard tow-rope, away from
does not adequately protect against force-
any potential hazard.
ful water entry into the rectum or vagina.
 The operators of boats and other water-
The person being pulled should wear a
craft may not be aware that you are pulling
wetsuit bottom or clothing that provides
a wakeboarder or water-skier. Together
equivalent protection. Such clothing in-
with the spotter, pay attention to others
cludes thick, tightly woven, sturdy, and
around you and cruise at safe speeds.
snug-fitting apparel such as denim, but
 Be alert to the hazard of the tow-rope han-
does not include spandex or similar fab-
dle snapping back at the boat when the
rics, like those used in bicycle shorts.
wakeboarder or water-skier falls or is un-
able to get up on the skis.
See pages 8 and 89 for wakeboard tower
use.
19