Riding Tips

Always wear your lifejacket.
Always wear a safety lanyard attached to your wrist or lifejacket and to the PWC’s lanyard terminal so that it will stop the engine if you fall off.
Relax when you ride. Do not ride with your elbows locked. Bend your arms and knees slightly when riding to allow for any swells and wakes.
Do not cut blind corners.
Use your mirror and check over your shoulder before turning.
travel on the the right hand side particularly on narrow waterways and slow down .
If your PWC has a watertight compartment it may be useful to carry items such as sunscreen, water, a torch and a mobile phone.
Obey any speed limits and restrictions that may be in force. Follow the nautical rules.
Keep a lookout at all times and always look behind you before you turn. Be aware that swimmers may be obscured behind the swell, waves and wake.
Go easy on the drink – waves, wind and weather multiply the effects of alcohol. One third of all boating fatalities involve alcohol. Never ride your PWC under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you experience difficulty with your PWC, return to shore. If this is not possible stay with your PWC and do not attempt to swim to shore. A PWC is easier for rescuers to see than a person in the water.
Exercise care, courtesy and commonsense. Make your ride enjoyable for everyone .

KNOW YOUR PWC

Maintain your PWC to the manufacturer’s requirements and have the craft serviced regularly.

Fuelling

It is important to fuel your PWC on land as fuel is dangerous and a significant source of water pollution. Avoid overfilling – fill the tank slowly to avoid a spill. Watch the vents and use absorbent material to collect any overflow. Never place those materials into the PWC or the water.

Steering

Most PWC have a steerable nozzle at the stern through which water is forced, propelling the boat. The direction in which the nozzle is aimed is controlled by the handlebar or steering wheel. The nozzle is located at the aft end of the pump housing and the direction that it is pointed controls the direction of the exiting water. Refer to your PWC owner’s manual for more specific operating instructions.

For steering control, power to the pump must be maintained. If the engine is allowed to idle or shut down during a turn all power will be lost and the PWC will continue to move in the same direction regardless of any movement of the steering controls. If you back off the throttle the steering capability of the PWC will lessen. Give yourself plenty of room and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Some newer PWC models have off - throttle steering capabilities providing enough thrust for steering when the throttle is reduced,

whilst others drop rudders into the water if the jet has been idle for a certain length of time. Again, refer to your PWC manual to determine whether your PWC has these capabilities.

All PWC are equipped with a safety ignition cut off key called a lanyard which is designed to stop the engine if you fall off your PWC. Lanyards are an important safety device which can be attached to the operator’s wrist or, in some cases, your lifejacket.

Boarding and re-boarding

When boarding or re-boarding from the water, always approach your PWC from behind. Pull yourself carefully aboard, making sure to keep your weight centered on the boat. Practice getting off and re-boarding in progressively deeper water, close to the shore, until you are always able to re-board when you can’t stand on the bottom.

Remember to reconnect the lanyard in order to start the engine.

Falling off

If you fall off a PWC the lanyard will disconnect once you enter the water, causing the PWC’s engine to shut down and the machine to stop. Some older PWC have an automatic idle and self circling capacity. If you fall off, the PWC will circle slowly in the water until you can re-board. In either case, swim to your PWC, re-board carefully at the stern, reattach the lanyard and re-start your engine.

Remember: keep a close eye on your surroundings and other vessel traffic that may be in the area.

If your PWC has stalled and won’t restart, don’t attempt to swim to shore. Instead stay with your PWC as you will be easier to spot by rescuers.

If a passenger falls off a PWC, slow down immediately. Maneuver the PWC, taking care not to hit the person in the water. Warn approaching vessels and app roach the person in the water from downwind or in the current. When trying to pick the person up, turn off the engine or place the engine in neutral.

HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

Lifejackets – the law requires the operator and all persons on board to wear an appropriate lifejacket
Wetsuit – they keep you warm and aid in flotation.
Helmet – a good idea to wear one to prevent head injury.
Safety lanyard – this is a must… it automatically cuts off the power should you fall off.
Fire extinguisher – if you have space it’s a good idea to carry an approved fire extinguisher.

SAFETY TIPS

Wear your lifejacket at all times – it’s a legal requirement.
Watch the weather for any change in conditions.
Know your limits and capabilities. Avoid risks that could cause personal injury or property damage.
Make yourself a better and safer rider and familiarise yourself with the way your PWC handles.
Irregular riding carries various risks. You may forget to be aware of traffic in the vicinity of your vessel, or misjudge speed and distances off. Remember – care, courtesy and commonsense on the water.
Never allow anyone to place their hands, hair or feet near the jet pump intake. Serious injury or even drowning could occur.
Wake or wave jumping is not recommended by most PWC manufacturers due to the possibility of back injuries.
Keep clear of the jet nozzle and never allow jet thrust to enter body cavities as severe injury can result.

Noise annoys

Be considerate, particularly at these times:

Early in the morning (noise travels further in calm conditions).
When winds are blowing towards residential areas.

Noise can be annoying not only because of its level, but also because of the type of noise being created. It is important to consider the effects of your activities on those surrounding you and on the local residents.

Even if your vessel is relatively quiet, it becomes offensive noise if you run it early in the morning or stay too long in the same area. The less number of complaints the greater the chance to enjoy the sport.

Marine pollution

It is an offence to deliberately discharge garbage, oil and other waste into the aquatic environment. Penalties apply.

PWC Maintenance

Maintain your PWC

It is important to ensure that your PWC is in good order by inspecting key features before you leave home or the ramp, mooring or wharf. The major causes of breakdown are engine failure, fuel shortage or contamination, mechanical failure and battery failure.

PWC checklist

Check:

Your registration number and label and the PWC Behaviour Label. Make sure they are properly displayed.
Your steering control to ensure that it is working properly.
Fuel and oil supplies. Top up if necessary.
That the engine compartment is adequately ventilated. Use your nose and sniff for fumes before trying to start your engine.
That there are no leaks in fuel lines, fuel or oil tanks or the exhaust system.
Batteries, ensure terminals are safely secured and properly charged with fluid at proper levels.
The engine hood cover is latched securely.
That the pump/intake area is free of debris.
For cracks and other damage to the hull.
The throttle, making sure that it is in proper working order.
The lanyard cut-off switch is in proper working order and that it is attached to your wrist or your lifejacket.
You have enough lines for mooring and towing.
Choke and fuel reserve controls.

Preventative maintenance

Keep the hull free of damage, algae and other growth and the engine free of grease and oil build-up. Make sure that the engine is properly tuned.

Check battery fluid regularly and ensure that all of the electrical connections are clean and tight, and all cables are lubricated and working smoothly. Check for loose nuts, bolts and screws.