things to know before jet ski ride

Jet Ski Beginners Guide Things to Know

f you’re wanting to ride a jet ski for the first time and looking for beginner tips, then you have come to the right place. I have gathered many tips and tricks that I’ve learned through the years of teaching people how to ride.

I’ve helped many new Jet Ski Riders and have seen the pain points they come across and answered all the questions here. It can be scary when you’re new to riding Jet Skis, but with this guide, it will help to clear away those fears so you can get out there riding!

Let’s first start off with some of the main bullet points…

Required Equipment For Riding Jet Skis

  • Life Jacket for each person on the craft.
  • Coast Guard Approve Fire Extinguisher.
  • Whistle or Air Horn. Best to have a whistle on each life jacket.
  • Safety Lanyard
  • Registration Numbers
  • Mirrors if you pull someone (many craft already have this)
  • Keep Identification on you in a dry bag like this one here.

Recommended Equipment For Jet Skis

  • A smartphone which can be used for GPS.
  • First aid kit
  • Sunscreen
  • Bilge pump or Baylor
  • Skier down flag if you pull someone
  • Shock tube if you pull someone and to avoid sucking up your tow rope
  • Distress flag
  • Solar Charger.

What Not To Do on a Jet Ski

  • Don’t drink and drive.
  • Don’t drive after sunset.
  • Don’t be stupid.
  • Don’t start your watercraft in less than waist-deep water.
  • Never carry more people than the limit on the watercraft.

Riding Jet Skis with Passengers

It’s no surprise family and friends will want to jump on for a spin! If so, here are some extra steps to follow with extra passengers:
  • Carry no more passengers than the jet ski permits. Even if your jet ski’s passenger limit is 3 passengers, you must follow the weight limit.
  • Sit all passengers behind the driver.
  • Whenever the jet ski’s moving, have passengers secure themselves onto the seat straps.
  • Make sure passengers never place their feet in the water during operation.
  • Demonstrate to passengers the basics of driving a jet-ski. Should the driver become injured, it could come in handy!
  • Maintain a proper lookout while turning and beware of blind spots.