Watersports General Safety Code

THE WARNINGS AND PRACTICES SET FORTH BELOW IN THE WATERSPORTS SAFETY CODE REPRESENT SOME COMMON RISKS ENCOUNTERED BY USERS.

THE CODE DOES NOT CLAIM TO COVER ALL INSTANCES OF RISK OR DANGER. PLEASE USE COMMON SENSE AND GOOD JUDGMENT.

Watersports are fun and challenging but involve inherent risks of injury or death. To increase your enjoyment of the sport and to reduce your risks, use common sense and follow these pointers:

Before you start :

• Familiarize yourself with all applicable federal, state and local laws, the risks inherent in the sport and the proper use of the equipment.
• Know the waterways.
• Always have a person other than the driver as an observer and at the required legal age.
• Skier/rider, observer and driver must agree on hand signals.
• Never start out until skier/rider signals he/she is ready. Observer and skier/rider should maintain constant eye contact.
• Use caution and common sense.

Your equipment and your tow rope :

• Inspect all equipment prior to use. Check bindings, fins, tube and attachment point, and flotation device prior to each use. Do not use if damaged.
• Always wear an approved safety floation device suitable for the activity.
• Rope should be attached to the watercraft in an approved fashion with hardware designed for towing. Refer to your watercraft manual for instructions on proper tow rope attachment.
• Tow ropes stretch during use. If a rope breaks or is suddenly released, it can snap back into the watercraft. Warn all riders, skiers and occupants of the danger of rope recoil.
• Inspect tow rope and its attachments before using. Do not use tow rope if frayed, knotted or damaged. Replace when signs of excessive deterioration are indicated by discoloration, broken filaments, unraveling or other obvious signs of wear on the rope or hardware.
• Use proper tow rope for the activity. Tow Rope
• Ensure tow rope is clear of all body parts prior to starting out or during use.
• Keep persons and ropes away from propeller when engine is running, even in neutral. Should rope become entangled in propeller, SHUT OFF ENGINE AND REMOVE IGNITION KEY BEFORE RETRIEVING ROPE.

When you ski or ride :

• Attempting land or dock starts can increase the risk of injury or death. USE THIS PRODUCT ONLY ON WATER.
• Always remove any slack in the rope between watercraft and skier/ rider before starting. Sudden shock loads may cause injury to skier/rider or failure of rope, resulting in snap-back or breakage.
• Do not ski or ride in shallow water, near shore, pilings, docks, rafts, swimmers, other boats or other obstacles. Such obstacles are examples of risks that are inherent in the sport.
• The driver and skier/rider must watch for and be able to stop or turn to avoid obstacles.
• Always ski or ride in control and at speeds appropriate for your ability. Ski or ride within your limits. Follow instructions on product for proper speed limits.
• Do not ski or ride over ramps or jumps without prior instruction.
• Falling and the injuries that may result are inherent risks in the sport.
• Use a flag to signal to others that a skier or rider is in the water.
• Do not operate watercraft, ski or ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.