Lake Lotawana Ski Club

Safety Guidelines

These Safety guidelines will be posted at each club practice. Any one not abiding by these guidelines will be asked to do so immediately. If individuals do not abide by the following safety guidelines or put other participants in harms way, they may be asked to leave that day (and possibly more) practice. In grievous cases further action may be considered by the board.

In addition to the NSSA Safety Rules and the NSSA portions of the safety manual, members of the Lake Lotawana Ski Club must follow standard operating and safety guidelines per the Lake Lotawana Ski Club’s bylaws which include, but are not limited to the following:

Boat Drivers:

• At least one rider/spotter in a towboat must wear a type III flotation vest.

• At least one rider/spotter in a pickup boat must have a type III flotation vest on board.

• All towboat drivers need to complete the NSSA Tested Driver Program.

• All drivers are encouraged to attend a NSSA Safety Clinic.

• The club must follow the guidelines from the NSSA Tested Driver Program with respect to their presence and participation at practices and shows.

• The dock personnel, towboats and pick up boats will keep in radio communication throughout the practices and shows.

• Boat drivers should turn off the engine when picking up fallen skiers.

• It is critical that towboats and pick up boat drivers understand the sequence of events and their respective roles as directed by the Safety Coordinator, should an injury occur.

Release Personnel:

• Any release personnel will be given proper instruction before riding in a boat towing an act which requires a release to be used.

• Will not look away from any skier that is on a release.

• Ideally, riders will have been trained in how to assist and manage an injured skier.

• Be prepared to pull the release anytime that any part of the skier is “in front” of the handle, as well as anytime the skier is not holding the handle in their hand.

• Have sufficient experience to understand the skier’s act and their movements.

Pyramids:

• Any land practice involving climbing will have a spotter for each climber that is at least as large as the climber for whom they are spotting.

• All pyramid participants will wear flotation.

• 3^rd, 4^th level climbers will use braided ropes.

• Fallen skiers should, if possible, raise a ski, or at least an arm, so they are more visible to other boats.

Ballet:

• Flotation must be worn for practice but is optional for shows.

• Must always be on a release. If two releases are available the ballet line should be split as evenly as possible.

• In the event of a fall, involving a release of the entire line, the towboat will come get the ropes and the pickup boat will pick up the skiers. Girls, or one assigned girl, should keep their handles until the towboat arrives to gather the ropes.

• Fallen skiers should, if possible, raise a ski, or at least an arm, so they are more visible to other boats.

Jump:

• Jumpers to follow all LLSC bylaws & Lake Lotawana Association rules and regulations.

• The jump should be checked for debris.

• Remove the gate(s).

• Turn jump water on and/or get jump wet.

• All jumpers will wear flotation.

• All jumpers will wear helmets.

• All jumpers will be on a release.

• Solo jumpers don’t need a pickup boat when there is a qualified Safety person serving as a spotter in the towboat.

• A pick-up boat must be used with multiple jumpers.

• When there are multiple jumpers and the release needs to be pulled, care should be taken to wait until the others have hit the water (when possible) before pulling the release.

• Fallen skiers should, if possible, raise a ski, or at least an arm, so they are more visible to other boats.

Wakeboard:

• All wakeboarders will wear floatation.

• Any wakeboarder going over the jump will wear a helmet.

• Any wakeboarder/skier in an over/under act will wear a helmet.

• Fallen wakeboarders should, if possible, raise at least an arm, so they are more visible to other boats.

Trick & Swivel Skiers:

• Will wear flotation in practice – optional in shows.

• Any trick or swivel act involving a toe hold must be on a release.

• Release personnel must be prepared to pull the release anytime that any part of the skier is “in front” of the handle, as well as anytime the skier is not holding the handle in their hand.

• Fallen skiers should, if possible, raise a ski, or at least an arm, so they are more visible to other boats.

Doubles Act:

• All participants will wear flotation.

• Must be on a release.

• When leaving the dock allow the bottom person to “clear” the climber of the dock before pulling the release.

• If the climber falls, the bottom person should release themselves and stay with their partner.

• If the release is pulled, the climber should pull in the tow rope and the bottom person should retrieve the skies and await the pickup boat.

• Fallen skiers should, if possible, raise a ski, or at least an arm, so they are more visible to other boats.

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Dock Etiquette:

• Everyone under 13 must wear flotation when on any dock, seawall, or in the water.

• All ropes must be properly coiled before a towboat will pull you

• Dock landings are not allowed.

• All skiers must exit the lake via a pre-designated area.

• All skiers are responsible for removing their skis from the dock or the pickup boat. Skis are to be returned to the designated ski area.