Water skiing is the best summer sport even in the most in the scorching heat. Irrespective of the enjoyment and the vigor this sport offers it is important to keep certain safety tips of water skiing in mind before starting the skiing season.
Water skiing is the sport in which the slightest mistake can lead to severe injuries. One wrong move and your life is at stake. We care for our readers that’s why we have come up with one of the most informative for safe sports.
Basic Safety Rules for Water Skiing
Let’s get familiar with the basics. The following tips are diligently gathered while keeping in mind both the amateur and expert skiers in mind. Follow these basic tips to be a champ water skier:
- A life jacket should be the best friend of a skier while skiing.
- It is important that the life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard-approved which has a high impact rating and is designed for water skiing.
- Master the hand signals
- Be careful when reboarding
- Be familiar with the water skiing area for avoiding areas of shallow water.
- Practice, practice, practice and some more practice.
- Tow rope another important safety equipment after, life jacket.
- Obviously, who skis when it’s dark? Don’t!
- Stay miles away from drugs and alcohol if you want to ski. These substances impair coordination.
- A wide berth is an optimal approach for water skiers.
Safety Tips For the Skier
Water skiing is a wonderful time of the year. Nothing can match the level of ecstasy like hitting the water and enjoying the perfect weather. However, the enjoyment comes with a package of absolute dangers for skiers. Here are a few of the best essential safety tips for water skiers to use this season.
1. Falling Is Going To Happen, So Be Prepared
If the skier is certain of falling, it is always best to fall backwards. To fall back is avoid falling onto the skis and on your face! In the water, you should hold one ski up about halfway out of the water. It’ll allow the observer on your boat to see you while helping you to bring in the spotlight as compared to other boats on the water.
2. Ski In Groups
It is always a good option to ski in groups. Skiing in groups will mitigate the chances of severe injuries, distracted skiing and of course boredom.
3. Be Cautious Of Water Conditions
Always be attentive to water conditions when skiing. Be sure to avoid floating objects when skiing to prevent either structural boat damages or more importantly injuries to the skier. Be aware of minimum water depths. For water skiing, a minimum of 1.50m depth is required and when skiing barefoot a minimum of 1.50m to 1.80m is a must.
4. Get Your Body In Shape For Balancing Skis
Improve your fitness level by starting a workout program prior to the start of the skiing season. It will help you to keep away from unexpected surprises and possible minor injuries. Moreover, will help in balancing the ski boards. It’s also a better option to warm up each time before you set out to ski.
5. Take Lessons to Work on Technique
If you’re a beginner for water skiing don’t just dive into this sport without basic lessons. The right trainer is the best source to teach proper techniques and to find a better balance on the water.
Do’s Of Water Skiing
- Even if you are a good swimmer do wear an approved personal flotation device (PFD)
- Wear properly fitted bindings.
- Learn and use the water skier hand signals.
- Ski only during daylight hours.
- Run parallel to the shore and come in slowly when landing.
- Avoid falling forward when you fall.
- Learn new techniques properly.
Dont’s Of Water Skiing
- Don’t “ready” until the tope is tight and tips are up.
- Don’t wrap the rope around any part of your body.
- Don’t ski directly ahead or to the side of another boat.
- Don’t double ski with different lengths of ropes.
- Do not water ski in restricted areas.
- Don’t attempt rapid landing directly towards the shore.
Safety In The Water
- Only water ski during the daytime.
- Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Always have an observer sitting at the back of the boat to watch the skier and to communicate with the boat operator.
- Immediately leave the tow rope when you fall.
- Stop water skiing as soon as you sense a storm is coming.
Safety Out Of Water
- The beginner water skiers should be trained on how to get up out of the water and how to safely use the tow rope.
- Make sure to coordinate with the basic hand signals to the spotter.
- The boat operator should be licensed.
FAQs
In determining the right lake size it’s important to have about 15 water-surface acres for a comfortable three-event lake that’s 2,200 by 300 feet.
Yes! a life jacket is a must to wear but wearing a U.S Guard-approved jacket adds an extra punch to safety.
Sudden maneuvers are threatening and jeopardize the safety of the skier. Avoid skiing close to shore, around bends or in shallow water. Stay out of fishing areas. It is best to “scout” your area before you ski.
A child on two skis requires a speed of 13 to 16 mph, whereas an adult on one ski might require as high a speed as 36 mph. Ideal speeds vary according to the skier’s weight, experience level, comfort level, and the type of skis they are using.
Injuries are inevitable either minor or major while water skiing. The external water skiing injuries include broken limbs but there is a range of internal injuries likely to occur or instance, women can suffer from serious injuries to the vagina, perineal area, and rectum while men can also sustain perineal and rectal injuries. They can prove to be potentially fatal.
Standard rope lengths are 70 feet. 75 feet with the handle included. The water ski ropes are made from polypropylene that can stretch 2-3% of its actual length under normal conditions.
Wrap Up
The article is a comprehensive guide about water skiing safety tips. Interestingly, it unveils the most updated safety tips for water skiing in 2020. It mainly focused on the basic tips, what you should do while water skiing and what you must avoid while skiing.
After reading the article make sure you don’t forget to let us know in the comment box which safety tips you are going to follow this skiing season?
