Boat Driver Tasks:
·Find out how many RPMs 25 mph is on your particular boat
·Remember where the throttle position should be for 25 mph
·Idle out gently when taking up the slack allowing the skier to get in position
·Line the boat up so the skier is going to go straight for a bit.
·If you're going to hit another boat's wake, try and quarter the wake or cross as close to parallel as possible
·Hand signals from the skier: Thumbs up for more speed, Thumbs down for less speed
Water Skier Tasks:
·Adjust the ski bindings to that the skis are snug, but can come off in a fall
·Make sure your life jacket (PFD) is the right size.
·Put your feet in the skis, bring your knees to your chest
·Keep the skis at a 45 degree angle with 3-6 inches of the tip of the skis out of the water
·Some people have better luck with the rope in front of their knees with their arms around their legs.
·Keep your legs together
·Have the driver start pulling you when you are ready
·Don't stand up too early. Squat until you are on plane, then stand up
·Bend your knees quite a bit once you're up until you start to get the feel of it
·Hand signals to the driver: Thumbs up for more speed, Thumbs down for less speed
·Staying in the ski boat's wake will give you smoother water if there are other boat wakes around.
Water Skier Dos and Don'ts ·DO let go of the rope when you fall
·DO be patient and realize that it may take a bunch of tries to get up on the water.
·DON'T hold on if the water ahead looks like something you don't want to try skiing across.
·DO HAVE FUN!!!
If you are continually being pulled over the tips of your skis on your starts, have the driver accelerate more slowly.
Driver Dos and Don'ts ·DO be courteous to others on the water
·DO stay 300 feet from shore and 100 feet from other boats
·DO be patient with the skier
·DON'T FORGET - YOU are responsible for your wake
Try for a low traffic area. There is nothing like learning to ski in boat wakes and heavy chop. A secluded cove or protected inlet is much nicer than moderate chop.
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