Wakeboard Safety

If you’re looking for a great time on your local lake, river, or reservoir, few things measure up the exhilaration of wakeboarding. Like water-skiing, wakeboarding is a popular water sport that involves being towed behind a boat and using the boat’s wake for jumps and tricks.

While wakeboarding tends to happen at lower speeds than water-skiing, it can still present some dangers. From obstacles in and above the water to the basic hazards of swimming, you’ll want to have the correct gear and knowledge to deal with threats before they arrive.

Below, we’ve outlined the safety tips that we think are important. Hopefully, some of them will be helpful on your next wakeboarding trip. If you’re still trying to find the right wakeboarding boat, stop by Riva Motorsports and Marine. We proudly serve the community of Key Largo and Miami, Florida.

Safety Gear

Having the right safety gear is critical in wakeboarding. The first and most important piece of gear for any wakeboarder is a lifejacket. Having a correctly fitting life jacket is crucial for several reasons. The force of hitting the water at high speeds can disorient you and push you far underwater so that it’s hard to find your bearings. A lifejacket will get you back up to the surface in no time. If you’re knocked unconscious, a life jacket will help you stay afloat and give rescuers an easy handle with which to pull you out of the water.

A helmet is another important piece of safety gear with wakeboards. A hit to the head is dangerous in any situation, but especially so when you’re on the water because it can affect your ability to swim and get to safety. Finally, it’s important to have a signal flag. This is important for signaling to other boaters that they need to look out for a swimmer in the water and slow down.

Strong Swimming Skills

There’s a good argument to be made that you shouldn’t spend time on a boat if you don’t know how to swim, but it’s even more important in wakeboarding. Having a lifejacket may help you to stay above the water, but there are so many different possibilities when wakeboarding and swimming is the most basic skill for dealing with them. Whether you need to get out of the way of an oncoming boat when you’re in the water or you need to swim to the shore after the boat has a problem, there are many scenarios in which having strong swimming skills is crucial.

Be Courteous to Other Boaters

When you’re out on the water, it’s important to contribute to an atmosphere of safety and courtesy. Some boaters travel faster, and some travel slower. Some people are just out for a pleasant cruise while others are going for speed and excitement. It’s important to respect other boaters’ space and to slow down if they have a swimmer in the water.

Limit Downtime in the Water

Try to limit the amount of time you spend in the water but not moving. If you’re on a lake or river where boating is allowed, there’s a good reason to think other boats will be moving quickly through the area soon. When you’re down in the water, you’ll essentially be a sitting duck.

Obey Speed Limits & Safety Signs

Most areas that permit boating post speed limits and other safety signs that might relate to water depth, wildlife, or other relevant conditions. Always look out for these signs and follow their instructions. Doing so is a good idea not only for your safety but also for the safety of other boaters and the environment.

Build up to the Tricks

Flips, jumps, and spins may look like fun, but they can be difficult to pull off. Instead of going for the big moves right off the bat, give yourself some time to build up your skill sets. Once you start feeling comfortable on your board, consider trying something small and simple. As you build skills, the bigger tricks will become much more accessible.

Stop by Riva Motorsports and Marine for all your wakeboarding needs! We have a large selection of boats for wakeboarding, and we proudly serve the Key Largo and Miami, Florida areas.