• towing is only permitted in the period from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset
• a maximum of three persons can be towed at any one time. When towing multiple water skiers it is safer to have tow lines of the same length
• a person being towed is required to wear a type 1, 2 or 3 lifejacket at all times and types 2 or 3 are recommended
• once back in the vessel, the person who has been towed must wear the appropriate lifejacket for that vessel on the waterway being used. Speed and distance restrictions apply to the vessel as well as anything being towed
• the vessel must have carrying capacity for the master and observer. You should consider seating for any person/s being towed.

Details of speed restrictions and local operating and usage rules are generally displayed on signage on the shore or marked by buoys or beacons in the water and are contained in the notices published in the Victorian Government Gazette and the VOZR. They set out information such as the number of boats permitted on a waterway at any given time, direction of travel and days when towed sports can be undertaken.

Masters of vessels need to be aware that areas may be set aside where specific activities are prohibited (for example, no waterskiing, no bathing), or that areas may be set aside for exclusive use (for example, sailing vessels only).

Further information may be obtained from the relevant waterway manager or from TSV. To find out more information about waterway managers, visit transportsafety.vic.gov.au/msv/waterways

All vessels must travel at a safe speed at all times. A safe speed cannot be expressed as a maximum or minimum number of knots because it varies with circumstances and conditions. The operator must always assess the safety of the vessel’s speed.

Towed water sports are exciting, however consideration needs to be given to the combination of relatively narrow waterways, conflicting usage, crowds during busy periods and the relatively high speeds involved. All of these factors create risks.

Things to take into consideration are:

• waterway courses and water levels constantly change, so be aware of submerged or floating objects
• if applicable, check waterway levels with the local waterway manager before you go out
• check your intended course to look for any hazards in the area every time you go out
• speed and distance restrictions apply to the vessel as well as anything being towed
• avoid towing in areas being used by others, such as swimmers or anglers
• seek out boating areas with plenty of room and not too much boating traffic
• handle wake with care by slowing the boat down when crossing wakes. Persons being towed at high speeds can be seriously injured by bouncing on the wakes of other vessels
• multiple occupants of inflatable devices have an increased risk of injury due to collisions between occupants
• physical fitness plays a crucial role in preventing or decreasing serious injury. Work on your fitness pre and post season to ensure you’ve given yourself the best possible chance to enjoy your activity
• slow down to reduce wake before commencing a turn to pick up a fallen skier
• on inland waters, vessels are required to travel in an anticlockwise direction in relation to the approximate centre of the waterway, except in a speed restriction zone or where local rules provide for travel in a clockwise direction
• inflatable items being towed tend to be pulled to the outside of turns as they have little grip on the water, resulting in high speeds and little directional control during turns
• all turns on the Murray River must be in an anti-clockwise (left-hand) direction. This helps you keep to the starboard side in the direction of travel at all times
• dropped skis, ski ropes, biscuits etc must not be left in the water where they can be a hazard to other traffic.