Skip to main content

Compass is offline while we prepare our new tools

Compass is offline while we prepare our new tools

Compass is now offline. Read more

Discover what this means

Water Skiing

FS120664

(Published March 2009, last reviewed with no updated 2020)

What is Water Skiing?

Water Skiing involves being towed across the top of a stretch of water on skis or a board, normally behind a power boat, holding on to either a bar, or a handle connected to the boat by a rope. The various types of skis and boards included within Water Skiing include, single skis, double skis, wakeboards and kneeboards.

What is a Water Skiing Permit?

The adventurous activity permit scheme is designed to ensure that only people with the relevant skills and experience lead adventurous activities for the young people. Therefore all activities classed as adventurous can only be lead by someone holding the appropriate permit.

A Water Skiing permit is required for all Water Skiing taking place in any class of water.

Levels of Permit

Permits for Water Skiing can be issued for any class of water. Each class of permit can be further restricted (such as through specific locations etc.) to end up with an individual permit to the level of the competence and requirements of any person.

Types of Permit

There is one type of permit available for Water Skiing. This is:

Leadership – Allows the permit holder to lead Water Skiing for a single Water Ski boat.

Permit Limitations

Leadership - If you have permit to lead Water Skiing then you can look after only one Water Ski boat at a time. You will need to remain with the boat whenever Water Skiing is taking place.

Rules relating to water skiing

Rule 9.7 Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme

Rule 9.8 Adult Groups Undertaking Activities

Rule 9.13.1 All Water Activities

Rule 9.13.2 Life Jackets and Buoyancy Aids

Rule 9.13.3 Classification of Waters

Rule 9.13.4 Activities on Class C Waters

Rule 9.13.5 Boats

Rule 9.13.6 Charter Vessels

General Activity Rules

Rule 9.1 All Activities

Rule 9.6 Use of External Centres and Instructors