Water Skiing is a highly popular competitive and recreational sport in our country that requires all ski schools and clubs offering such services to assure that safety standards are provided to participants. Business owners and ski instructors must observe water safety rules assuring that this sport remains an enjoyable recreational pastime and not a dangerous activity for beach goers.

Both the ski instructor and driver or operator must have the ability to ‘tow’ a skier and must be skilled, knowledgeable and a safe driver.

Motorboat Operators must:
1. Know how to operate and use the motorboat
2. Have an observer and/or assistant on board
3. Be competent in water skiing hand signals
4. Know how to operate the motorboat while towing a skier
5. Recognize the level of the skier so as to adjust speeds as needed
6. Recognize the sea area ones travelling so as to reduce any risks (shallow water, rocky areas, other hazards, etc.)
7. Equip the motorboat with a rear view mirror allowing the operator to view the skier without turning
8. Operate the boat safely away from beach areas, anchored boats, piers, docks, etc.
9. Not travel nor follow directly behind another boat

Skiers must:
1. Know how to swim
2. Wear a personal floatation device at all times
3. Observe and follow the trainers or coaches instructions at all times
4. Be competent in water skiing hand signals
5. Not ski beyond his/her capabilities
6. Not ski dangerously
7. Not ski at nighttime hours or times without proper lighting

Thirty Safety Tips Before Your Set out to Water Ski
Water Skiing is a competitive sport and also a recreational pastime that poses potential risks due to the high speeds attained when towing a skier. By following a few basic rules though you increase safety for the skier and yourself.

1. Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
Select a safe, specially designed, soft PFD, properly fitted and free from any objects or attachments that may cause injury during a fall, preferably a life vest. Select a PFD that is approved by an official source such as the US Coast Guard. PFDs provide buoyancy keeping the skier afloat while softening the impact during a fall or collision.

2. Insist on the presence of an ‘observer’
A second individual or observer must be present so as to monitor the skier and relay hand signals to the driver. It is preferable if the observer is trained to perform first aid assistance.

3. Hand Signal Knowledge
Assure that the skier, the driver and the observer all know the different hand signals so as to assure accurate communication between the driver and the skier (ex. change of course, increase or decrease of speed, etc.).

4. When the boat is travelling, the passengers and driver must be seated properly in their seats and not standing nor resting on the rails or leaning on the backs of seats.

5. The driver must accommodate his driving style according to the skiers needs and skills maintaining both direction and speed as requested. Under no circumstances should the driver and skier become competitive. Sudden maneuvers are dangerous and jeopardize the safety of the skier and the boats passengers.

6. The driver must be extremely cautious and maintain safe distances from sea areas designated for other water sports such as swimming, other motorboats, sailboats, divers, etc. Additionally the motorboat should never travel close to the shoreline, near other objects, near ports or near other sea areas used for other types of activities.

7. The skier, after a fall, must quickly signal that all is well by raising both his hands above his head. This gesture signals to the driver and observer that the skier has not been hurt.

8. The skier, after a fall where other boats are travelling, must raise his ski upright and half its length out of the water. This gesture alarms other boaters of his presence.

Safety Tips for Water Skiers (cont.)

9. Always be attentive to water conditions when skiing avoiding any floating objects so as to avoid either structural boat damages or more importantly injuries to the skier. Be aware of minimum water depths, for water skiing the depths required should be a minimum of 1.50m and when skiing barefoot or doing jumps a minimum of 1.50m to 1.80m.

10. Stay clear of other boats. Never travel closely behind another boat with a skier and always try to steer clear away from a boat that is following you too closely. It is all to easy for serious accidents to occur if a skier falls directly in front of another boat following too closely.

11. Always shut down the engine when skier is trying to board the boat. The propeller blades oftentimes can turn even though the engine is in neutral. Accidents can occur if while the engine is running a gear is accidentally engaged.

12. Assure that the towrope is completely stretched, no slack, before you hand signal to ‘take off’. Miscommunication between the skier and driver at take off may cause injuries to the skier.

13. When towing a novice, beginning level skier, both the driver and the operator must be extra careful and cautious, in addition to maintaining low speeds, a maximum of 22mph, depending on the age and weight of the skier. Slow increases in speed, wide-open turns and caution offer a safe and enjoyable ride.

14. Avoid skiing directly onto a floating platform or the shoreline/beach. The safest way to end a ski session is by stopping the skier directly behind the boats wake (between its waves), as the boat is floats parallel/alongside to the floating platform or shore. The skier then simply swims to the boat and climbs aboard.

15. Avoid skiing near floating platforms or other boats or fixed objects in an attempt to spray water on people that may be on them. This type of behavior not only discredits the sport but also increases risks, just by one small miscalculation, of collisions with such objects.

16. Never wrap any part of your body with the towrope or place the handle behind you neck or between your legs or put one hand or foot inside the handle. Serious injuries can occur in all these cases if a fall occurs.

17. Passengers should never pull the towrope with the skier, close to the boat. If a skier has fallen, the towrope or the handle can seriously injury either the skier or the passenger.

18. Replace or repair any problems regarding the towropes, the handles, or the cleats. Any sudden incident, for example a towrope breaking, can cause serious injuries to the skier.

19. Avoid travelling with the towrope floating in the water. It is best to collect the rope into the boat after each ski session. Ropes floating in the water can cause accidents to nearby swimmers or even to passengers on the boat itself.

20. Avoid using very tight bindings on the skis so as to reduce risks of injuries from falls where the skis did not come off. Some newer models, such as high wrap boots, even though they provide an excellent fit and support, they lack the capability to be removed easily in case of a fall.

21. Release mechanisms are required when performing toehold tricks. Without the release mechanism, any fall can cause serious injuries.

22. Cease any boating activities if a storm arises.

23. Improve your fitness level by starting a workout program prior to the start of the summer season. This will help prevent any unexpected surprises and possible minor injuries if your muscles are too ‘rusty’. It’s also best to warm up each time before you set out to ski.

24. Never ski if your tired, you run the risk of injury.

25. Always wear a helmet, specially designed pants and a life vest if you’re doing jumps.

26. Always wear specially designed wet suits with an integrated personal floatation device if you’re skiing barefoot, without skis.

27. If on the boat you are using a bar, extra caution must be taken when turning to pick up a skier, avoiding any abrupt actions. Also, the weight of the bar may alter the boats wake.

28. Wear appropriate wet suits when skiing in very cold condition so as to protect against hypothermia.
29. Skiers can protect themselves from injuries by wearing wetsuits and ski pants.

30. Avoid being towed simultaneously with another skier behind the same boat.

Tow sports include a range of diverse activities that require different skill levels. Surprisingly, tow sports that require the least amount of skill, such as water tubing and banana boating can actually be more dangerous due to the lack of control riders have.

Water skiing, which includes wakeboarding, barefooting, trick skiing and other similar forms, requires responsible co-operation between several people: a boat driver, a spotter, and the skier or rider. Many elements are at play in safety: the skier, other nearby water users, safe handling of the tow boat and tow rope, and safety of other passengers who may be aboard the boat.

Why tow sports can be risky for children and youth?
Water skiing is an exciting pastime that families can enjoy together. Yet poor technique and lower body weight can contribute to a higher incidence of water skiing injuries to children. The most common accident scenarios include falls into water, collisions with other skiers or objects, being struck by a boat propeller, or becoming entangled in tow
lines. Common injuries include rectal, vaginal, and tympanic membrane (eardrum) injuries. Inflatables pose a particular risk precisely because no skill is required, which (a) leads caregivers to falsely think young children can ride safely despite inexperience, and (b) prevents the riders from being able to practice any self-protective
measures. Many injuries are caused by tow boat drivers misjudging distances, causing the inflatable and its riders to swing uncontrollably into boats, piers, and other objects. Multiple rider inflatables also pose a risk because the riders strike against each other when the inflatable jumps or turns, which can cause serious head injuries.

Recommendations for water ski equipment rental and operation
Skiers/Riders
● All skiers and riders must be able to swim well.
● All skiers and riders must understand and be able to use the common hand signals.
● Use of a personal flotation device (PFD) should be required for children and youth at all times.
● Beginners should only ski in enclosed, calmer waters without other users nearby.
● In cool waters, a wetsuit should be worn, and even in warmer waters a half body suit is recommended to help minimise abrasion injuries.
● Girls should be advised to always wear at least a half suit to prevent injury through water enema.
● Renters should have previous adequate training which they can demonstrate by answering questions regarding techniques and rules.
● Water recreation helmets and grip gloves are recommended for children and youth by instructors when nessecary.
● Inflatable riders should never attempt to grab the tow rope.
Tow boat drivers
● Tow boat drivers must have the proper license according to the Greek legislation (Article 22 paragraph 2i of the General Regulation of the Port Authority No. 20). Specifically they should have:

Coach licence of any category on waterskiing issued by the General Secretariat of Sports and at least 2 years speedboat driver license or
Coach licence on waterskiing issued by the University of Physical Education and Sport Science and at least 1 year speedboat driver license or
a valid license of trainer in waterskiing, which had been certified based on the provisions General Regulation of Port authority. No. 37 (FEK 101 / 2004) and the owner of the license must have previously exercised, with the permission of the Port Authority, this profession (speedboat driver for tow sports). The validity of the instructor license is determined by the issuer.
● Drivers should team with a spotter, whose duty is to at all times monitor the skier, the tow rope, and the area for dangers.
● Motor propeller strikes are the leading cause of serious injury to water-skiers.
● The driver should not allow other passengers to sit on the sides of the boat.
● Water should be a minimum of 1 metre deep, and the skier should never be released in shallow waters.
● Drivers should observe more conservative speed limits when towing children, not in excess of 25 knots.
● Drivers towing inflatables should maintain conservative speeds to take slow wide turns.
●Drivers should never attempt to let an inflatable wake jump or to “whip” the riders with sharp turns.

What safety factors to look for in choosing and maintaining equipment for your operation?
Equipment (including boat, tow rope, skis, bindings and medical and communications equipment) should be checked daily. Tow lines should be washed down with clean water daily to prevent wear from sea or lake water elements. Wet suits should be cleaned and disinfected with a nonallergenic cleanser between users.

Staff Preparedness
● Always have at least 2 staff member present – one to speak with clients and handle training, and the other to assist in launch and landing activity and to monitor the water at all the times.
● Be sure that your staff members are trained in CPR and first aid.
● Have a rescue boat or PWC available so that skiers and riders in danger can be reached quickly if no water rescue service is in the immeidate vicinity.
● Be sure all staff members, whether on shore or in water, can communicate with each other via VHF radios or a similiar device.
● All staff members should be able to clearly communicate the risks and safety rules to clients. A language barrier could pose a problem should an accident occur, both in terms of immediate medical care and liability for having failed to properly communicate the rules.
● Staff should very regularly check reliable sources regarding wind and surf conditions.

*Source : European Child Safety Alliance, Eurosafe; 2008.- With the support of the European Commission