Can you wakeboard behind a jet ski

There are actually two versions of this model. It also comes with a couple of extra bells and whistles geared towards tow sports. However, it costs significantly more, it weighs slightly more, and it has less storage. Despite not having any models made entirely for tow sports, Yamaha still has some great Waverunners that can get the job done. It comes with everything needed to get started and has a fairly modest price tag.

Of course there are some better models in their line up, but they cost much more. Wakeboarding has become extremely popular in recent years, combining surfing and water-skiing to create an exhilarating new sport. There are some benefits to using a jet ski, Waverunner, or PWC. In many cases the legislation which applies to powerboat towing has been used for jet ski wakeboarding, without any major adjustments. However, some states have created legislation that is specific to PWCs.

Just as important as the legality is the safety aspect. Good news here too! Done correctly, jet ski wakeboarding can be entirely safe for all participants. The surprising fact is that using a jet ski to tow a wakeboarder may actually be much safer than being towed by a boat. The reason for this is the way that boats and jet skis move through the water and the risk that the wakeboarder is exposed to.

The jet ski propulsion system is less dangerous than a boat because of the proximity of the wakeboarder to the vessel. Boats typically have a propeller that is fully exposed. The metal blades on the propeller spin at high speeds in the water and have no guards surrounding them.

This leaves the wakeboarder vulnerable if they get too close, and at risk of a very serious injury — or even fatality. Wakeboarding accidents involving boat propellers are fortunately very rare but the risk remains. This prevents any possible contact between the wakeboarder and the blades.

Additionally, wakesurfers ride much closer to the back of the towing watercraft than wakeboarders do, and unlike wakeboarders, they usually let go of the tow rope and just allow the momentum of the wake to propel them through the water.

There are also a few pieces of optional equipment that can be very helpful. The first piece of essential equipment, though, is the right jet ski. There are few reasons for this. The next piece of equipment you need to wakeboard or wakesurf behind a jet ski is the right kind of board. Here is our favorite wakesurf board. Wakesurf boards can be rented or bought. Below are some popular models:. Here is our favorite package to get going wakeboarding on the lake.

Below are some popular wakeboard models for beginners, which run a little less expensive than pro models:. You will also need a tow rope for both wakesurfing and wakeboarding, though, there are some differences between tow ropes made for wakesurfing and wakeboarding.

For wakesurfing, you will want a shorter rope of ft long that has thick knots for better grip. For wakeboarding, you will need a rope that is between 65ft. Here is our favorite with removable sections, low stretch, and a wide handle for a better grip. Life Jacket— You should not go wakeboarding or wakesurfing without a life preserver, and in most places, they are legally required.

Here is a great all around lifejacket for watersports. Jet Ski Mirrors —Jet ski mirrors are an essential for any tow sport because they allow the driver to check the status of the person being towed behind them while keeping their eyes ahead to steer. A simple handlebar mirror will work, and many jet skis come standard with mirrors. Skier-Down Flags — Skier down flags are another essential for any tow sport, and they are especially important when towing with a jet ski. Besides the must-have equipment listed above, there are some extra accessories that may be useful.

Jet Ski Wakeboard Tower —This is a contraption that attaches to the back of your jet ski and keeps the tow rope elevated out of the water. Keep practicing this in the water. You can also practice this in a swimming pool, in front of a swim platform or a suitable dock. If you have access to a swim platform, have your practice partner stand on the platform, with each of you clutching opposite ends of your tow rope.

If you get tense or find yourself fighting the pull, ask your practice partner to just release you. Keep going until you can relax and let yourself get pulled up out of the water and onto the platform.

Get familiar with your surroundings. Regardless of how good you may be, each waterway is unique and riddled with its own unique set of challenges. Learn about the currents, shallow spots, tides, and potential underwater hazards that may impede your experience, cause harm to you or force expensive repairs on your PWC. Try riding through these first before pulling along a wakeboarder. Get an observer. You cannot keep an eye on the wakeboarder and at the same time keep your focus on the challenges ahead of you.

Carry along an observer to communicate with the rider and identify any challenges they may be facing. Check your jet ski and accessories. Play it safe on your first few tows by using a short rope of 30 to 50 feet in length.

With a short rope you will be in the narrow part of the wake, which will make it easier for you to stand up on your wakeboard. Put your life jacket on before getting in the water. Your life jacket will keep you afloat while you wait for your tow. It will also prevent you from being injured while jet ski wakeboarding. Eyes straight ahead.

Do not gaze down at your board because you could lose your balance or make your board dip in front, tossing you into the water. Steer your board by leaning into your toes and heels. Apply pressure to your toes at the forward edge of the board and pressure on your heels at the back edge will make your board turn as it carves through the water. The tow rope handle should be kept aligned with your hip. If you inadvertently raise the handle up towards your chest, gradually move it back down to your hip.

If you hold the handle too high while jet ski wakeboarding, you could fall. Falling is a part of every sport, especially tow sports! If you do fall, wait to be retrieved by the jet ski driver. If you want to keep jet ski wakeboarding, the driver will put the jet ski in neutral. You can then grab the tow rope handle before getting back into the start position. Learn all the hand signals so that you can use them properly. The only way you can communicate with the driver is with hand signals.

This is why you need to learn them, which you can do here. Watch the environment. Before accelerating at top speed with a wakeboarder in tow, check to make sure every rough waves are cleared. Start slowly.

With the boarder ready, the waters calm, and no traffic in sight, start riding the jet ski slowly in a straight line, gradually accelerating as you go. Accelerating too quickly will surprise your boarder and throw them off.

Follow the signals. As you ride, follow the signals of the boarder to identify when and how to adjust your speed, when to stop, and when to turn. Also do well to notify them of your intentions while driving. Maintain a steady pace. Avoid sudden changes in speed so you do not throw off your boarder. The wakeboarders preferred speed varies and is usually dependent on their size, weight, and experience level. Watch out for other vessels , obstructions, and congested areas.

Keeping the wakeboarder safe involves keeping them a safe distance away from obstructions, the shoreline, docks, and other humans or vessels in the water. Also stay away from crowded areas, such as beaches and swimming areas. Use the skier-down flag. As soon as a wakeboarder falls or drops into the water, make sure your spotter raises the skier-down flag. Slowly come to an idle and gently find your way back to them. Thankfully, it has been around long enough to have its own legislation.

And while requirements for towing with a PWC may vary by state, jet ski wakeboarding or other tow sports with a watercraft are perfectly legal. For some states, the legislation governing powerboat towing is simply applied to watercraft without any major tweaks. Before hitting the water with your wakeboard in tow, make sure to check with local state regulations.

You can always find local rules online or at public boat ramps. Although it may not initially seem like it, jet skis are safer for towing than regular boats. This is especially the case when the wakeboarder is in the water close to the watercraft. This is a result of the difference between the propulsion systems of boats and jet skis. A typical boat, whether it has an inboard or outboard engine, has a fully exposed propeller. These fast-spinning metal blades have no protection around them.

The result is that someone who gets close to the boat while the propeller is still rotating faces the hazard of a very serious accident. While this may be a rare occurrence, it is a sad possibility. Boat propellers — could be really dangerous if the engine is on. Unlike boat propellers, the jet ski propulsion system has its propeller officially known as impeller safely fitted within a pipe inside the jet ski.

This protection prevents you from getting in contact with the impeller. A less dangerous, but equally annoying possibility occurs when the tow rope is sucked up by the impeller. If you are a tow sport lover on a budget, there is no doubt that jet ski wins against the boat the day on the basis of cost.

The front edge of your wakeboard should be perpendicular to the tow rope lightly out of the water. Once you are ready, signal the driver to pull you up while still in a crouched position.

When the jet ski begins to move forward, you will feel the rope pulling you. Gradually raise yourself until you stand. Remember that the jet ski will increase the speed once it begins to move, so you must maintain a steady stance.

Stretch your hands forward, pull the rope handle and align it with your hip. When wakeboarding, you should always keep your eyes straight ahead. Gazing down may make you lose balance, and the board can even dip in the front, so you risk falling into the water. Also, ensure that you steer the board by applying pressure on the toes and heels. Relax and wait for the jet ski driver to rescue you. The first step to ensure a hassle-free and safe ride is by familiarizing yourself with the rules and regulation governing the waterways you intend to explore.

In some states, the laws applied on jet skis are similar to those of other boats , while in other regions, they are separate, so ensure that you confirm. The use of jet skis for tow sports is becoming increasingly popular, and you can even enroll in classes for licensing. Although the rules vary, some restrictions apply in most regions. Some states require that you use a three-sitter jet ski that can accommodate the driver, an observer, and tow rider. There should be, therefore, a third party on board, facing behind to monitor the wakeboarder.

If the ski comes with pre-fitted mirrors, check to ensure that they meet the specific size requirements in your region. The purpose of these mirrors is to ensure that the operator knows what is going on behind them.

Every Jet Ski driver and wakeboarder should have a lifejacket with a high impact rating. Keep in mind that some states do not allow a single jet ski to tow multiple wakeboarders.

Check the age requirement in your region for the driver and wakeboarder to ensure that you are on the safe side. Engaging in any form of drugs or taking alcohol before or during the sport is highly prohibited.