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Hand Signals For Waterskiers And Wakeboarders

Communication between two people can be difficult at the best of times … and don’t get us started on the effect that retrograde Mercury has on our waterskiing! When the roar of a boat engine and the steady white noise of carved water separates you, it can make it even more difficult to get the message across to your mates. Today we have some waterskiing tips on the methods of communicating between spotter and skier while either waterskiing or wakeboarding, when Mercury (or an outboard motor!) is getting in your way.

Verbal communication

Verbal communication is only useful when the skier is still in the water, before the boat has started moving … after this the noise makes it too likely that anything you say will be misinterpreted. The English language doesn’t always do it’s bit to make this easier – ‘Go’ and ‘No’ are very hard to differentiate for the spotter. Our favourite waterskiing tip is to say what you want, but also use the accompanying signal, so that you don’t get too used to using those lazy old words!

Having a spotter

Having a spotter is required by law in some states, and is required by common sense in all of them. Spotters should be over the age of twelve – this helps ensure adequate attention and presence of mind.

Hand signals for the spotter

The spotter can use hand signals to tell the waterskier to do things like:

* Stay behind the boat: Extend one arm straight in front of the spotter’s body, and move it up and down. This would be used if another boat was approaching, if there were tree limbs, swimmers or other hazards alongside the boat.
* Be aware that the boat will be turning around: This signal may be used by the spotter or the boat driver. If the driver makes the signal, the spotter should repeat it to ensure the person waterskiing sees it.  The signal is to put an arm up at a 45 degree angle and rotate it in wide circles.
* Wakes upcoming: Experienced waterskiiers may not need this signal, but beginners often appreciate it. The spotter extends their arm out to the side and moves it up and down.

Hand signals for the skier

The skier usually has more to say to the spotter than the reverse! There are different conventions all over the world, and even within the country, for skiers hand signals. Waterskiing tips recommend that you agree on what vital signals mean before hopping in the boat with your Water Ski or wakeboard – misunderstandings could cause injury here. Hand signals for the waterskier include:

* Okay to start: Nodding the head, or a ‘thumbs up’
* Faster: Hand out, palm up, moving up and down; nodding is sometimes used
* Slower: Hand out, palm down, moving up and down; shaking the head is sometimes used
* Maintain speed or speed OK: Thumb and index finger joined, last three fingers up in the ‘OK’ symbol
* Turn the boat: Hand out, palm vertical, curving the hand in the direction of desired turn
* Stop!: Hand up with fingers outstretched
* Turn the motor off: Draw your index finger across your throat in a side-to-side motion – ‘Cut it off’
* I’m okay/not hurt: After a fall, the waterskier should clasp their hands above their head until the boat driver or spotter notices them. No movement after a fall is used to indicate an injury, and the boat will come rushing back to pick up the skier.

Hand Signals for Waterskiers and Wakeboarders

Communication between two people can be difficult at the best of times … and don’t get us started on the effect that retrograde Mercury has on our waterskiing! When the roar of a boat engine and the steady white noise of carved water separates you, it can make it even more difficult to get the message across to your mates. Today we have some waterskiing tips on the methods of communicating between spotter and skier while either waterskiing or wakeboarding, when Mercury (or an outboard motor!) is getting in your way.

Verbal communication

Verbal communication is only useful when the skier is still in the water, before the boat has started moving … after this the noise makes it too likely that anything you say will be misinterpreted. The English language doesn’t always do it’s bit to make this easier – ‘Go’ and ‘No’ are very hard to differentiate for the spotter. Our favourite waterskiing tip is to say what you want, but also use the accompanying signal, so that you don’t get too used to using those lazy old words!

Having a spotter

Having a spotter is required by law in some states, and is required by common sense in all of them. Spotters should be over the age of twelve – this helps ensure adequate attention and presence of mind.

Hand signals for the spotter

The spotter can use hand signals to tell the waterskier to do things like:

* Stay behind the boat: Extend one arm straight in front of the spotter’s body, and move it up and down. This would be used if another boat was approaching, if there were tree limbs, swimmers or other hazards alongside the boat.
* Be aware that the boat will be turning around: This signal may be used by the spotter or the boat driver. If the driver makes the signal, the spotter should repeat it to ensure the person waterskiing sees it.  The signal is to put an arm up at a 45 degree angle and rotate it in wide circles.
* Wakes upcoming: Experienced waterskiiers may not need this signal, but beginners often appreciate it. The spotter extends their arm out to the side and moves it up and down.

Hand signals for the skier

The skier usually has more to say to the spotter than the reverse! There are different conventions all over the world, and even within the country, for skiers hand signals. Waterskiing tips recommend that you agree on what vital signals mean before hopping in the boat with your water ski or wakeboard – misunderstandings could cause injury here. Hand signals for the waterskier include:

* Okay to start: Nodding the head, or a ‘thumbs up’
* Faster: Hand out, palm up, moving up and down; nodding is sometimes used
* Slower: Hand out, palm down, moving up and down; shaking the head is sometimes used
* Maintain speed or speed OK: Thumb and index finger joined, last three fingers up in the ‘OK’ symbol
* Turn the boat: Hand out, palm vertical, curving the hand in the direction of desired turn
* Stop!: Hand up with fingers outstretched
* Turn the motor off: Draw your index finger across your throat in a side-to-side motion – ‘Cut it off’
* I’m okay/not hurt: After a fall, the waterskier should clasp their hands above their head until the boat driver or spotter notices them. No movement after a fall is used to indicate an injury, and the boat will come rushing back to pick up the skier.

About the Author

Waterskiers World & Ski Surf & Snow are specialized retailers for all you watersports, surf and snow equipment. We stock a huge range of waterski’s, wakeboards, kneeboards, tubes, wetsuits, life vests, ropes, gloves and anything else you need for a fun day out on the water. For more information or to view our range, visit Wakeboard

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Gator Classic Wakeboard 127/ Team Bindings $263.99 The recommended weight range for a 127 cm wakeboard is 75-130 pounds. This wakeboard comes with Team Bindings.

Metamar Agent Men’s S/ M Wakeboard Binding (6-8.5) $53.99 Wakeboard binding designed for maximum adjustability and comfortSports equipment accommodates size 6-8.5 for easy sharing between peopleBinding features lace-up front for easy entry and exit

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Jetpilot Black Wakeboard Bag $46.99 Wakeboard bag features embroidery and screen-printed detailsJetPilot water sports gear in heavy-duty, 600-denier nylonCarry multiple wakeboards comfortably with a padded, detachable shoulder strap

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Gator Boards ‘The Bandito’ Medium-size Pullover Comp Wakeboard Vest $66.99 ‘The Bandito’ pullover comp wakeboard vest from Gator Boards is built to keep you secure, buoyant and comfortable.

Gator Boards 144 Wakeboard/ Fleetwood Bindings $327.99 The recommended weight range for a 144 cm wakeboard is 210 pounds plus. This wakeboard comes with Fleetwood bindings.

Gator Gonzalez Wakeboard (134 cm) $218.95 The ever-popular Ricky G shape is back in this Gonzalez wakeboard from Gator.

Gator Lexy Womens Wakeboard 137/ Seville Bindings $277.99 The recommended weight range for a 137 cm wakeboard is 140 to 180 pounds. This wakeboard comes with Seville bindings.

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