etter oating B Proper towing techniques

By Mike and Christine DuBois

Success with towed watersports is a team effort between the athlete and the driver. Without a good pull and proper boat setup, it is hard to enjoy your time behind the boat.

The captain (driver) must delegate support duties to the crew. This is always necessary (such as when docking) but especially important when towing. The captain needs to focus on driving, while the crew takes care of the rope and spotter duties.

Before getting started, find a suitable spot on the lake and have a plan of where you are going. Get a good distance away from your marina before starting to tow. If your athlete is in the learning phase, take some time before they get in the water to review technique. Good boat driving is critical for a healthy marriage and family relationships. The only bigger strain on a marriage is launching the boat, but boat launch stories could fill a whole book!

Driving success is partly a function of good driver positioning. The majority of drivers we see are not set up for success. The driver should be seated at all times and using the mirror to watch the rider. If the mirror is properly positioned, the driver can watch the rider and the path ahead at the same time.

Do not stand up or turn around to watch the rider. Another good driving habit is to use the arm rest for the throttle hand. This allows precise throttle movements. Before your rider is in the water, establish the desired speed, where you are going, and what happens when the rider is finished. Confirm hand signals if necessary.

Once in the water, the rider needs to clearly communicate that they are ready. The rider not being ready is a frequent cause of failed attempts and can lead to injury.

One common mistake is for the driver to use too much throttle on the initial start. When in doubt, pull up more slowly. This allows the rider to adjust their balance as they come up. The amount of throttle needs to change based on rider size and the type of equipment they are using.

Once up and riding, the driver needs to drive in a straight line (surfing included). Surfing while driving a steady turn has not been the preferred technique for a long time. To hold a straight line the driv- er can pick a target point ahead, or watch the prop wash line to ensure the boat path is straight.

When going back for a fallen rider, always circle on the driver’s side to avoid losing sight of the rider.

Story of the week

Jane (not her real name) backed her Seadoo down the boat launch last week. When she got out of the truck, she noticed that the Seadoo was sitting very low in the water, like it was being weighed down. It turns out that the Seadoo was still strapped to the trailer and the trailer was now floating. This was an easy problem to fix and no damage was done. It is best to check the boat (especially the plug) before it goes down the ramp.

Don’t be a Jane!