MCA Editorial·July 2026
Half the tow-sport injuries happen in the first ten minutes, before anyone has warmed up.
Getting started safely isn't about being fearful. It's about setting the day up so the fun runs uninterrupted.
Getting started safely isn't about being fearful.
The Pre-Launch Chat
Two minutes at the ramp beats twenty minutes of confusion on the water. Who's driving, who's spotting, who's riding first, what the hand signals are.
Warm-Ups Matter
Adults injure themselves more than kids because they haven't skied since Christmas. A gentle first run at slow speed prevents most of it.
Life Jackets Fitted, Not Just Worn
A loose PFD is a bad PFD. Check straps before every rider, every time.
Things to Think About
- Do your riders know the hand signals before they leave the swim platform?
- When did you last replace a life jacket that had lost its buoyancy?
- Does your spotter know their job is only to watch the rider?
Key Takeaways
- Preparation is the difference between a great day and an ambulance.
- Hand signals belong on the boat, not in a manual.
- PFDs work only when they fit.