Basic Rules of Tow Sports Etiquette

Imagine a fisherman or waterfront homeowner with a boat tied to a dock as a wakeboat passes, throwing a massive wake while blasting music at nightclub-volume levels. It’s easy to see why they would be unhappy, possibly even furious. 

The thing is, their resentment won’t be directed solely at that one wakeboat, but at everyone else involved in tow sports—from wakeboarders and wakesurfers to ­water-skiers and even tube riders.

And that’s the problem. Many who enjoy or live along the waterways are annoyed by this behavior, especially when met with a belligerent response. In some cases, this has led to rules, laws and legislation restricting wakeboats. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little common sense, tow-sports enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite ­activities without upsetting others, creating a shared and friendly experience for everyone on the water.

So how do we achieve this? It starts with understanding the basic rules of tow-sports etiquette, but even before that, with developing an awareness of others who enjoy the water too. When you start thinking from their perspective, you’ll realize how your actions as a tow-sports enthusiast affect them.

It also begins with respecting the role of the tow-sports driver. Whether you’re towing a tube rider or a pro, the tow-sports driver is more than just someone who sits in front of the steering wheel and throttle. The driver is the linchpin of a successful and safe session on the water and should be aware of how to coexist with others who share the waterways.

A heavily ballasted wakeboat, moving at slower speeds—about 10 mph for wakesurfing and 20 mph for wakeboarding—creates a massive wake that can impact other boaters, docked boats, and shoreline property such as beaches and docks. For this reason, the Water Sports Industry Association recommends that wakeboats and other boats pulling tow sports stay at least 200 feet from shore. That’s a great commonsense practice, but wake drivers should carry this further and apply this to other boaters and users of the waterways, such as kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders. You don’t want to swamp an angler at anchor or knock an SUP user off the board. This 200-foot distance also ensures the safety of the person being towed.

If you’re towing in an area with other boaters, anglers or waterfront homes, try to avoid repetitive passes in the same area. Constantly going back and forth can annoy others with the wake and noise.

As I mentioned, your wake isn’t the only thing that bothers other boaters. Consider how the sound from your stereo system impacts those living along or using the water. Sound carries farther over ­water, particularly in the morning and ­before sunset, when other noises are minimal. Especially when you consider that there are no obstructions such as trees or buildings to disrupt the sound waves on open water. Keeping the volume down not only helps others, but it also allows the tow-sports driver keep an ear out for other boats passing nearby.

So the best way to be courteous is to look for areas far from waterfront homes and other boaters. If you’re near someone else, it’s courteous to approach them and ask if sharing the waterway will be an issue. Being friendly and showing concern for others goes a long way toward peaceful coexistence on the waterways—and who knows, you might even make a new friend. By avoiding conflicts and by not upsetting others, you can spend more time enjoying your favorite tow sport, which is what it’s all about.

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