This article was originally published in the Summer 2017 issue of Cottage Life.
We love a good watersking or tubing session. Heck, yeah. But towboats can get unintentionally destructive—to the environment, or to your relationship with your neighbours. Sure, sometimes it’s inexperience or a lack of know-how, says John Kittler, the owner of Hyperactive Watersports in Chestermere, Alta. But also? Fast boats can get even veteran towers fired up and prone to behaviour that is both annoying and—on occasion—stupid. “We can all be guilty of it,” says Kittler. Must! Resist!
Always…
1) Use a spotter. “The driver is supposed to look forward,” says Kittler.
2) Match your speed to your sport; it varies with a skier’s age, skill level, and body weight.
3) Follow your lake’s speed limits—typically, 10 km/h within 30 metres or 100 feet of the shore is common—and stick to the number listed on the towable.
4) Mind the rope—you don’t want that thing wrapped around a body part or a propeller.
5) Wear a lifejacket or a PFD. Of course.
Never…
1) Tow close to shore. Wakesurfing, while awesome, delivers a truly ginormous, shoreline-smashing wake. “Those waves are huge,” says Kittler. “They crash.”
2) Swamp anything.
3) Reverse beside a fallen boarder or skier; reversing pulls water, and the towee, towards the engine.
4) Improvise. Use equipment as it was intended, MacGyver!
5) Drink and boat. “For some reason, there is still some public perception that boating and alcohol go together,” says Kittler. (They don’t. Of course.)
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