Wakeboard Safety
One of the most fun activities to do on the water is wakeboarding. This pastime stems from a combination of surfing and water skiing and was developed during the 1980s. It’s only become more popular over the past few decades, with more specialized equipment being produced for it all the time. You use a board and hold a tow rope attached to a boat which generates large waves or “wakes” that you then jump, surf and do tricks on.
Wakeboarding happens at slower speeds than water skiing, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe.
You’ll still be presented with dangerous situations that you need to be prepared to handle. With the correct gear and the right knowledge, you should be able to stay safe. This guide to general wakeboard safety by your friends here at Nisswa Marine, your Minnesota ski boat dealer, should help put you on the track to success!
Get The Necessary Safety Gear
Wearing and having appropriate gear is essential to a safe wakeboarding experience. A well-fitting lifejacket is the most important thing you can wear, even if you’re an Olympic champion swimmer. Why? You may become disoriented if you fall into the water at a high speed and you might even be pushed underwater and unable to find your bearings immediately. If you’re knocked unconscious, a lifejacket will keep you afloat and give rescuers something to grab when pulling you from the water.
Another vital piece of gear for wakeboarders is a well-fitting helmet. Hitting your head can be dangerous in any situation, but when you’re in a lake or ocean, it can be life-threatening because it can compromise your ability to swim and remain afloat.
A third piece of equipment you’ll want to have handy is a signal flag. This brightly-colored material will help other boaters to see you so they can work around you and slow down.
Hone Your Swimming Skills
Going out on the water when you don’t know how to swim is a risky endeavor, even if you’re just sitting in a boat. When you’re participating in watersports activities, strong swimming skills become mandatory. Spend some time at the local pool practicing floating and basic strokes to build up your endurance and confidence in the water. You never know when you’ll need to dive away from a speeding boat or get yourself to shore. Your lifejacket will help you stay afloat, but it can’t help you move around if you don’t already know how to swim!
Practice Courtesy
Help others stay safe by being respectful and courteous, whether they’re in a small fishing boat, on a personal watercraft or swimming. Everyone at the lake deserves to enjoy their time there without feeling like other users are impinging upon their space. Slow down around slow-moving crafts and give swimmers in the water a wide berth. Don’t splash or jostle anyone with your wakes, either!
Obey Safety Signs & Speed Limits
Signs are posted for a reason. You’ll inevitably see speed limits posted that you shouldn’t exceed as an operator. Other signs may point to hazards or obstacles in the water or let you know about delicate wildlife, very shallow areas or other conditions you need to be aware of.
If you’re in search of a top-quality ski boat to help you tow your wakeboarding friends, you’ve come to the right place. Stop into our Nisswa dealership to see our selection of new and used wake boats and ski boats for sale. Our staff will be more than happy to help you find the perfect craft for your watersports adventures! Nisswa Marine proudly serves the greater Minneapolis region, as well as the cities of St. Cloud, Brainerd, Duluth and Grand Rapids, Minnesota.