Waterskiing
Waterskiing involves towing people behind a boat on skis, bare feet, inflatable toys, boards and parasailing.
All kinds of boats are used for waterskiing, ranging from a dinghy to a personal watercraft. The owner/operator of the boat is responsible for the safety of others and has a general safety obligation to:
- ensure the driver of the boat used for towing someone else (by a line attached to the boat including for example, someone water skiing or riding a toboggan or tube) is appropriately licensed with a recreational marine driver licence or personal watercraft licence
- make sure the boat is safe and is capable of towing skiers
- take all the right safety equipment for the skiers and passengers and ensure its correct use during skiing operations
- conduct skiing operations in an anticlockwise pattern of travel unless otherwise directed by signage or site management
- operate a boat as safely as possible and first check the operational area is safe for skiing by noting the depth of water, width to make turns safely and any hazards
- carry an observer (more than 12 years of age) onboard competent to watch the skier at all times to report any danger, signals, falls or mishaps.
Waterskiing is prohibited in:
- certain areas usually designated by signs
- all six knot zones including harbours and marinas
- within 30 m of people in the water, anchored boats, divers flags, jetties, pontoons or boat ramps
- designated areas outlined in the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast Management Plans.
Restricted areas in Queensland.
Personal flotation devices (life jackets) for skiers
- PFD type 2, 3 or a wetsuit with inbuilt flotation approved as a PFD type 3 in smooth water limits.
- PFD type 2 in partially smooth water limits.
It is compulsory for all children under 12 years of age, in open boats under 4.8 m, while underway, to wear an appropriately fitted life jacket at all times. More information about life jackets.
Direction of travel
When skiing in lakes, rivers and creeks, boats should travel in an anticlockwise pattern. In a few locations local customs and conditions may dictate the direction of travel. Always check before skiing.
Safety tips
- The tip of the skis must always be showing before the boat starts.
- After a fall a skier should always clasp hands overhead if unhurt until seen by the observer and boat operator.
- No signal from a fallen skier calls for immediate action by the observer and boat operator.
- A fallen skier getting into a boat should leave the skis in the water and swim towards the boat.
- The boat operator should always stop the engine(s) before retrieving the skiers from the water.
- Skiers should enter the boat over the stern whenever possible.
Examples of hand signals for skiers
Start – nod
the head.
Faster – open palm
facing up
– motion upwards
or nod head
if both hands
are in use.
Slower – open palm
facing down, motion
downwards or shake head
if both hands
are in use.
Speed required – use
the number of fingers
for kilometres
required. For example,
23 – first two fingers,
then three fingers.
Speed OK – arm upraised
with thumb and forefinger
making an 'O' – OK signal.
Turns – palm vertical,
curving motion of
hand in direction
required.
Whip off – point to
direction and then
give quick circular
motions with hand.
Stop – hand up with
fingers outstretched.
Back to dock – point
with downward swing
of the arm.
Cut motor – finger
drawn across throat in
cutting motion.
OK after fall – skier
should clasp hands
over head if unhurt,
until seen by the
boat driver.
