Boat Safety and Water Sports
Lesson Fourteen: Hand Signals

Topic: Hand Signals
Concepts: Basic Hand Signals, When to use hand signals
Skills:
1. Students will learn the basic hand signals used to communicate with the boat driver and the observer.
2. Students will learn when they need to use hand signals.

Lesson Activity:

Water Skiing Hand Signals:
Hand signals are very important form of communication while water skiing. A skier yelling instructions over the noise of the boat motor can be nearly impossible to hear. Unsuccessful communication by the skier can be frustrating.
The water skier should be able to communicate with the towing boat with hand signals. A clear understanding in advance of the signals between the skier, driver, and observer will lead to a safer activity.
The following are various task cards or pictures that could be used for hand signals:
( These hand signals are recommended by the American Water Ski Association)


 

When To Use Hand Signals:


 

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