Hand signals are an extremely important form of communication while wakeboarding, or participating in other forms of boat-towed sports. A wakeboarder yelling instructions over the noise of the boat motor can be nearly impossible to hear. Unsuccessful communication by the boarder can be frustrating and dangerous.

Verbal Communication:

When the wakeboarder is still floating in the water before the boat accelerates verbal communication can be effective. When the rope is tight and the handle is in the riders hands, the spotter and boat driver should wait on communication from the rider signaling if they are ready or not for the boat to pull them out of the water. The people in the boat should yell, "Ready?" The boarder will either reply back with "Hit It" which signals the driver to accelerate, or the rider will respond with "Wait." The words "Go" and "No" should never be used because they sound very similar and are hard to differentiate.

Review Time:

Avoid this frustration and take a moment to review hand signals with your crew, spotters, and wakeboarders before anyone jumps in the water. Your crew should know the signals so they may communicate to the driver since the driver can't always have their eyes on the skier.

Hand Signals:

Refer to the hand signals graphic on the right side of this page when practicing waterskiing and wakeboarding communication.

These are other communications signals which are helpful on the water:

•I'm OK
When a rider falls, they should bend their arm in a crest-like shape towards and above their head and touch their fingertips to their head. This signals the driver the rider is OK and free of injury. Another way to communicate that the skier is OK is for them to raise both arms above their head and touch both hands fingertips together, forming a circle.

•I'm Finished
If the wakeboarder wants to let go of the tow-rope they should use a hand to simulate a "slice across the neck."

•Oncoming Wakes
Beginner boarders usually appreciate someone in the boat signaling to them that there are approaching wakes. A way to indicate this is to have the spotter extend one arm straight out to their side and move it up and down. The rising and falling of the arm communicates to the boarder oncoming wakes.

•Stay Behind The Boat
When the spotter wants the boarder to stay directly behind the boat the spotter should extend one arm straight in front of their body and move it up and down. The reason for doing this is because the people in the boat can sometimes foresee a questionable or dangerous situation before the boarder can. Staying directly behind the boat is the safest place to be until the danger passes.

•I Want Back in the Boat
A boarder should signal the driver they want to get back in the boat by patting their head several times with their hand.

•Can You See Me?
While a boarder is waiting in the water for the boat to come back around after a fall, have the boarder raise whatever equipment they have high in the air so approaching boats can see the boarder in the water.

•Boat Turning Around
An important signal exercised by the driver is one communicating that the boat is turning around. This is most often signaled by pointing the arm up in a 90 degree angle and rotating the forearm and hand around in wide circles. Be sure to give your boarder plenty of warning before you turn so they may position themselves behind the boat where they feel most comfortable. Aggressive riders usually want to be outside the wake to create speed, and non-aggressive riders generally stay right behind the boat for a more controlled and slower ride.

•Possible Injury
No or minimal boarder movement following a fall suggests to the boat crew that the boarder may be injured. The boat should approach the boarder as soon as possible.