Using a Spotter / Observer

Over the years I’ve read and heard of too many sad stories due to lack of experienced driver & spotter in the boat. Pulling a tube or water skier is a potentially dangerous undertaking, one that many feel requires little to no skill. How often has someone said to me “I’ll drive for you” to which almost always I say “thank you, no thank you”.

What can go wrong ? (known because I’ve heard of, seen this go wrong)

Idle boat can be bumped into reverse and run over people – enter and exit from the side of the platform – driver AND spotter need to make sure boat is locked in neutral when driver moves from seat – spotter needs experience and instructions so driver may remain in seat.
Person in water at risk being hit by others – park boat between person in water and oncoming traffic flow
Person in water may have rope around body/neck – spotter should feed out line slowly to tight before take off
Person in tow swings to side and hits dock/ raft/ oncoming traffic – keep boat AT LEAST rope length from hazzards…people roll over the water when the fall off tube or ski
Sundown/ sunup / dusk hard to see person in water – you can’t see others and they can’t see you – extreme extra caution
Too much traffic causes collisions – there are no traffic lights but there are speed limits and right of ways and safe distance to shore, these are minimum cautions.
Jacket falls off tuber when the fly off tube – you make sure they are in tight
Multi tube collisions – I’ve seen all sorts of tube collisions that include earrings tearing ears, bruises, and other painful things I’ll leave unmentioned.
Sitting in water waiting for boat return – lift a ski to become more visible.
Confusion in the boat – same as in a car, a distraction and to the driver and danger to many; leave some folks on shore for a later trip.
Skiers: consider yoga in the on and off season.