Another summer is almost upon us, and it’s time to get the Seadoo out of storage and ready for the lake. One thing that I think about every year, aside from what new gadgets and accessories (like new seadoo covers for example) I will buy this spring, is how to make this year the best summer ever on the lake. The first thing that always comes to mind is Seadoo safety. I know, this is kind of boring, I admit. But a summer of boating without accidents or mishaps is, in my opinion, the mark of a successful Seadoo season for me.
Tip 1 for personal safety on your PWC this summer is to make sure you actually wear your life-jacket at all times that you are on the water on your PWC. Most local boating regulations require that you wear an approved pfd (personal flotation device), but you should wear your pfd out of habit rather than just wearing it because the rules say so. The rules are there for a reason, so always wear your life-jacket, don’t just have it on hand in case you need to throw it on quickly when the Coast Guard is in the area.
Tip 2, which is probably even more important than my first safety tip, is to NEVER mix alcohol and Seadoo driving. It’s also a good idea to avoid hanging out with PWC riders that make a habit of drinking and boating, as hard as that may be in certain cases. Not only is it illegal, but it is just plain dangerous to drink and operate any type of motor vehicle. I know that avoiding alcohol on vacation and at the summer cottage is not very realistic, but it is certainly realistic to make a rule not to mix your beer drinking with your Seadoo riding. If you plan to go to a party, then plan for a designated Seadoo driver, or plan for transportation with a designated driver that can transport everyone who is planning to drink. This may mean not using your Seadoo to get back and forth to parties, but your Seadoo is meant for fun riding, and avoiding potentially lethal situations is always the best bet.
Tip number 3 is one that most people don’t think about until it is too late. This tip is to avoid riding your Seadoo at night. Even though Seadoos are equipped with lights so you can navigate after dark, riding at night is just risky in general. Driving a personal watercraft at night is not like driving a car at night. There are no street lights or marked lanes, and it is very easy to get into any number of dangerous situations at night – from being stranded, to getting lost, to hitting a stray piece of deadwood or rock that is just impossible to see after dark. Plan ahead to give yourself plenty of time to get home by sunset, or plan to stay overnight if you are thinking about staying late into the evening.
It’s important to think about safety no matter what water sport you are participating in, but I think it’s even more important to keep safety in mind when you are out riding your personal watercraft. Their ease of operation make them accessible to just about anyone regardless of their boating experience, but their small size make them susceptible to more dangers than many other types of boat. Keep these safety tips in mind when you are out on your Seadoo this summer, and you’ll enjoy a safe and fun season out on the water.