Wakeboard Towing – How?

How to tow a wakeboard behind a RIB

Part 2 of our wakeboarding Guide focuses on RIB drivers towing tips to get your rider safely up on their board. See part 1 for our advance preparation and safety tips.

Towing a wakeboard RIB drivers guide Ballistic RIBs

Where to wakeboard?

There are many great bays and areas you can tow a wakeboard around the UK shores. Always aim to choose a safe open water space, away from the shore, swimmers and anchored boats to start towing. Study the charts of an area and the weather forecasts and tide charts. A wind blowing against a strong tide can kick up short sharp waves.

Always:

observe all local bylaws, speed limits and wake restrictions within harbours and channels
check if you require a skiing permit – some harbours do not allow skiing or wakeboarding at all
if you are towing from a public beach, follow local restricted areas / buoyed-off swim zones
look out for swimmers
be mindful of other water users, such as kayaks and small tenders – your wake can swamp them!

Who does what on board the tow boat / RIB?

Always have two competent people on board at all times:

the driver concentrates on safe navigation and where you are going
the ‘spotter’ observes the rider all the time, relays any hand signals to the RIB driver and ensures the tow line is clear

Before you start the tow:

Always:

wear a kill cord whilst the outboard engine is on
ensure the skier is wearing a buoyancy vest
make sure everyone is seated safely inboard
do not allow anyone to ride on the RIB tubes, gunwhales or deck areas when underway

What’s the best speed to tow a wakeboard?

when you set off aim to give a steady, consistent pull
gradually increase the boat speed to get the rider fully up
once they are up, keep a consistent boat speed – around 16-20 mph

Top tips for RIB drivers towing a wakeboard

Do’s:

wait for the rider’s hand signal before starting
ensure their board tip is just above the water facing forwards before you accelerate
steer clear of other boats, buoys and water users
stop to allow canoeists and dinghies to pass
ensure a smooth and steady pull speed on take off
make gradual and wide turns
ensure the rider is not injured if they fall, or in danger – look for the hand signal
recover the rope as soon as possible, and before picking them up
check the tow rope is not at risk of snagging or getting around your propeller
return immediately to pick up the skier
stop the engine as your approach someone in the water

Don’ts:

tow in restricted waters
turn sharply and put the skier in the water
increase speed or turn without the spotter signalling the rider
drive faster than the rider is comfortable
wakeboard at night
take the rider aboard without shutting off the engine first
put the boat into reverse when a skier is in the water behind the boat
drive the boat through swimming or restricted areas

Take the Water Ski and Wakeboard driver course

We recommend RIB drivers take the British Water Ski and Wakeboard Ski Boat Driver level 2 award, which is a certificate of competence.

At Ballistic RIBs we can arrange courses for you, on site at Trafalgar Wharf with a local powerboat school. Contact us on 023 9239 7000 or email us. And we can also advise on suitable new or second hand RIBs for towing through our sister company RIBs For Sale.

See part 3 of our Towing a Wakeboard Guide with top tips for how to get started and ride a wakeboard.