the lake, but you could also
risk swamping the boat or
striking the downed rider in
the water. Choose the former
and you’ll keep everyone
happy — and safe.
We’ve all probably seen
what not to do. A rider falls,
the driver cranks a hard-over
turn at speed to race back,
and the lake quickly turns
into a washing machine.
Other boaters hate you, you
risk swamping the bow of
your boat, and your rider
is left trying to get the
handle back while he bobs
uncontrollably in the wakes.
Or maybe the driver makes
a controlled return but
approaches the rider off the
boat’s port side, putting
the rider at risk when the
driver loses sight of the rider
below the rim of the cockpit.
The best method is to take
everything slowly and easily.
Start the process the minute
the rider falls. Smoothly let
off the throttle and spin the
wheel to the right, which
will lessen any wakes. Begin
your approach toward the
downed rider, immediately
verifying that he is OK. Idle
back toward the person, and
make sure to always keep
him on the boat’s starboard
side so you maintain a clear,
uninterrupted view. As you
draw close, initiate a gentle
starboard turn around the
rider, keeping him a safe
distance from the boat
and allowing the towrope
to gradually draw closer.
Maintain a slow speed,
avoiding any sharp angles
to the boat’s path. Excessive
speed or angle will create
painful friction as the rope
passes through the rider’s
hands while he waits for the
handle. It could even resultin the rider losing grip on the
rope and it wrapping around
his neck or shoulders.
Once the tow handle
draws close, shift the boat
into neutral. Allow the rider
time to grab the handle and
get into proper position for
the start. Once he is ready
and gives you the signal, put
the boat back in gear, take
out any slack in the line, and
get him back on top of the
water. Your rider will approve
— as will other boats on
the lake.HAND SIGNALS
Anytime you’re wakeboarding — but especially
during the learning process — communication
between rider, spotter and boat driver is key. The
universal language? Hand signals.
Most people probably have seen the basics.
A thumbs up indicates you need more speed; a
thumbs down indicates you want less. To indi-
cate a minimal increase or decrease, just hold
the signal steady. To indicate a larger change is
necessary, crank your hand up or down in an
exaggerated motion. Remember to hold your
hand out away from your body, which makes it
easier for the observer to distinguish your signal.
Other necessary signals include “I’m done,”
indicated by a patting motion on the top of the
head, followed by simply dropping the ropeafter the rider is certain the spotter or driver
saw the signal. Don’t use the common slashing-
across-the-throat motion to indicate you’re
ready to stop. Save that for an emergency, when
you need the driver to shut the boat off “now.”
To indicate you’d like to turn around and head
back in the direction you just came, make a swirl-
ing motion with your index fi nger in the air.
If at any time you need to speak to the driver
and these signals fail, just drop the handle.
Want to check out more task-specifi c sig-
nals, like telling the driver to move farther from
shore, clean up a sloppy wake, or perform the
wakeboard-specifi c “double-up” turn? Check out
the full line of LearnWake-approved signals at
boatingmag.com/learnwake.BOATINGMAG.COM JUNE 2016 83