Watersports Safety Tips

There are plenty of ways to have fun on the water, but one of the most exhilarating ways is to try some watersports activities. The thrill of cruising on a wakeboard or surfboard will keep your adrenaline pumping all summer long! However, watersports can be dangerous if you don’t take the necessary precautions, which is why it’s important to stay safe and keep your wits about you.

At Mattas Marine, we want you to stay safe every time you get on the water. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of watersports safety tips. Keep reading to learn more. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us at our dealership.

Check the Weather Forecast

Keep in mind that safety starts right at your home before you even venture out. Bad weather can make watersports virtually impossible, so you’ll want to check out the forecast for the day. After all, you don’t want to suddenly get caught in a storm or a cloudburst. This is a really important part of safety that’s often overlooked.

Safety Gear

While doing any watersports activity, it’s important for you to wear the right safety gear to protect yourself. The most essential piece of safety gear is a well-fitting personal flotation device or PFD, otherwise known as a life jacket. As a beginner, you’re liable to fall off your wakeboard as you participate in the sport. When you hit the water at high speeds, you can be forced under and lose your bearings temporarily, or even be knocked unconscious. Your PFD will ensure that you rise to the surface once again so that you can be taken to the shore.

Swimming Skills

Before you hit the water, make sure that you know how to swim. You simply can’t guarantee that you won’t end up in the lake or ocean at some point, so you must possess the basic swimming skills. If you fall overboard, you would need to swim long enough for the life ring to get thrown to you.

Inspect Your Equipment and Boat

You should also take the time to carefully examine all of your safety gear and the boat itself before heading out on a watersports adventure. You don’t want your equipment or craft to fail you while you’re far from the coast or shore, and you don’t want damaged equipment to put you or others at risk. Check for sharp edges on your wakeboard, tears in your PFD, frays in your towing rope, and issues with your boat motor before you head out.

We hope that these safety tips will help you protect yourself every time you hit the water for a watersports adventure. If you have any questions, contact the team at Mattas Marine in Grand Junction, Colorado. We proudly serve all those coming from Montrose and Durango. Let us help you with all your boating needs.