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Towing Safety

water skiier

Towing Safety: Learn the Signals
 
Safe towing of skiers, wake boarders or an inflatable requires teamwork between the driver, the spotter and the thrill-seeker at the end of the rope.  The driver must concentrate on safe operation of the boat and keeping a sharp outlook for other vessels.  The spotter communicates with the skier/boarder or tube passenger and the driver.
 
The tried-and-true hand signals, originally developed for water skiing, also apply to wake boarding and tubing.  Safe towing depends on

everyone staying focused and communicating. 

take me home signal

Take me home

I'm done signal
I'm OK signal

I'm done - Pick me up

I'm OK

Speed up signal

Speed up

Slow Down signal

Speed down

Turn Right signal
Turn Left signal

Turn Left

Turn Right

Go Around signal

Go around

once more

Speed Just Right signal

Speed just right

No Motion - possible injury sign

No motion -

possible injury

Go Around Once More signal

Go around

Stay behind the Boat signal

Stay behind the boat
(skiers, boarders)

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