1) A two-seater wave runner that is in good
working condition.
2) A 35' to 45'rope with a good handle and a
quick release that holds tow rope.
3) A 3.5' to 5.5' life rescue sled with handles
strong enough to grab for dear life!
4) Gas and oil in the wave runner
5) A competent partner that has good wave judgement.
(Ideally with some dirt bike experience to assist
in jumping waves on wave runner.)
6) An easy beach to tow at: with no rocks, long
rolling waves, fast dieing-out white water.
7) It is a good idea to train with a surfboard
leash until you get it wired.
8) While loading and unloading the ski, do not
put your hands anywhere around the wench.
Stand clear of the trailer.
9) Be cool in the harbor when landing at your
local beach. Follow all the rules of ocean
safety and DNLR laws.
Basic Training in the Water:
• Now it is time to ride the wave
runner all day by yourself. Go in and out
of the impact zone. Jump the whitewater both
directions.
• Go over cresting waves and change
RPMs to see what is comfortable. There is
no need to go so fast all the time.only when
needed.
• Put a ball (soccer size) in the
water. Gently swing the rescue sled so the
ball lands on the sled. This may be difficult,
but make it happen.your partner too.
• Another drill is to pull the rope
across the ball as if it were your partner's
head in the water, making a 90 degree turn
towards the channel. The approach towards the
ball is very important.your partner only has
one chance to grab the rope before the next
wave hits both of you.
• The ticket is: as you pull him
into the wave, he will release, then you
will go to the shoulder of the wave on the wave
runner, looking over the lip. This means that
you are somewhat on the backside of the wave,
seeing your partner surf his entire wave).
• Your job is to watch the wave and
preconceive when the wave is going to closeout
or die out, and time when your partner is
going to pull out. At this point, ease off the
throttle. He will then pass in front of you soon
after that and kick out of the wave. You should
be approximately 30-40 feet behind him (perpendicular
to the beach) on the backside of him,.
• He will be laying in the water
faced parallel to the beach. This is when
you approach his back, making a 90 degree turn
around him. As you pass him in this turn, he
will grab the tow rope, throwing it over his
head.
• Now you will be parallel to the
beach, looking back at him and at the white water
approaching. Tell him whether to "short rope
it" or, if he has some time, he can grab the
handle. (short roping means: grabbing the rope
because there is no time to grab the handle.which
is why knots in the tow rope are essential!)
After he grabs the rope, gently throttle the
wave runner, pulling him back up to a standing
position.
