Your Guide to Being a First Time Jet Ski Rider

Dubai is the one city where there is never a shortage of adventure sports. From sand dunning to jet skiing, there are endless options to always keep you entertained. Adventure sports can come off as scary to some but the sheer thrill derived from it is indescribable. For those who are always in search of something challenging, adventure sports are definitely a big yes. The adrenaline rush you get as a consequence can make you feel like you are on top of the world and that is one feeling we all want to feel quite often. Adventure sports not only act as a stress buster but also release you from your mundane routine, thereby letting you explore what you are capable of by testing your physical limits.

Jet skiing is a high-speed water sport that holds numerous benefits such as developing balance, coordination skills, and toning your leg muscles. Most people who are eager to try this sport are usually held back because of their paranoia. The best way to overcome this paranoia is to go through a training course prior to hitting the water.

Why Jet Ski?

Besides the obvious rush that comes with jet skiing, there are several health benefits to this sport including:

Acquiring balance, improving coordination skills, and building concentration

Engaging your cardiovascular system

Strengthening arm and leg muscles

Toning your abs, as you are required to maintain your core posture

Burning calories

Relieving stress

So if the fun factor was not convincing enough to make you try jet skiing, these health benefits are sure to motivate you to get on board.

Jet Skiing for Beginners

As riveting as this sport is, it is always best to take due care before you go jet skiing. More than safety, most facilities require you to possess a certificate before individually riding a jet ski. This process usually takes a day or two. Let’s take a look at some of the tips that will help you overcome that fear and perfect your first time on a jet ski.

Maintaining Posture: First time jet skiers mostly have difficulty keeping their jet ski straight. However, this is pretty easy to master. Instead of looking in the direction of the handlebars or the water, the aim is to lift your head up and look off in the distance. This will not only make sure you are driving safely but also ensure that you are enjoying your time in the water.

Hold On To The Throttle: The jet in ‘Jet Ski’ refers to the water jet that shoots out the back and propels the ski to go forward. The throttle ensures that the ability to steer is maintained, while losing your throttle grip would mean that you would lose your ability to steer. Hence, it is always advisable to hold on to your throttle to stay safe and steer in the right direction.

Re-Boarding Your Jet Ski: Falling off your jet ski is very common but before getting back on your ski, you have to make sure you always reboard from the back. While getting back on the jet ski, the goal is to reach up to the handle behind the seat and pull yourself out of the water onto the back deck of the ski. If there are two people riding on the jet ski, they should board back one after the other and avoid boarding from the sides as this is likely to flip the jet ski. Falling back into the water repetitively can be extremely tiring so it is completely alright to relax in the water for a bit, come up with a strategy, and then climb onto the jet ski.

Hold On Tight: The rider and the passenger have to ensure that they use the right amount of pressure when holding on. The passenger should firmly hold on to the driver’s waist or the back of their life jacket to make sure they do not fall. An extremely stiff grip may not enable the rider to navigate comfortably, so the rider has to look out for the vehicle and his grip on the handlebars, while holding on tight to ensure safety.

Unsuitable Weather Conditions for Jet Skiing

Although jet skiing can be a year-round sport, it is advisable to not go jet skiing in extreme conditions when the weather is too cold or too hot.

Avoiding jet skiing when it’s raining is recommended as the rain can cause heavy waves, which could further hit you while riding making it an unpleasant experience. The idea behind jet skiing is to enjoy the speed and the view, which may not be achieved during heavy rains.

Riding your jet ski during heavy winds is also not recommended as you may have a hard time balancing your vehicle, which can be dangerous.

Additionally, jet skiing in the summer under the scorching heat can result in sunburn and other health problems. If you do however opt to go into the water, ensure you slather on waterproof sunscreen.

Precautions For Jet Skiing

Since jet skiing is a dangerous sport, it is the duty of the trainer to ensure that necessary precautions are taken and basic jet skiing skills are taught. Essentially, jet skis are considered boats, and operators must obey all boating rules while in water. Individuals who operate a personal watercraft must have completed a certified boater safety course. Following are some of the tips to be followed when operating a jet ski:

Take a boating course

Always wear a life jacket on board

Never mix jet skiing with alcohol

Always make sure you jet ski with supervision

When riding a jet ski with another passenger, ensure that the passenger is ready

Never start your engine without attaching the cord that is connected to the start/stop switch, or your key, to your life jacket or wrist

Each rider should wear eye protection gear, a wetsuit in cooler weather conditions, footwear, and gloves

Always watch out for bad weather conditions

Make sure to keep hands, feet, hair, and clothing away from the pump intake

Never operate a jet ski in water that is less than twenty-four inches deep

Be aware of your water terrain

Our team at Ride in Dubai specializes in jet skiing and flyboarding providing high quality service in order to ensure you have the best experience. We possess the best equipment in the market and ensure quality services. With trained professionals who will assist you from start to finish, our competent tutors will ensure you have a good time while keeping your safety at the forefront.

While there are a number of reasons why you should go jet skiing, it is also essential that you prepare yourself adequately and take necessary precautions. Carefully selecting certified professionals and undergoing training before actually entering the water is a must.

To learn more about jet skiing, contact our team.