Waterskiing is a very popular form of boating and many skiers converge on their favourite spots along the River Murray, particularly on weekends. There are times when this level of popularity results in overcrowding of some areas and this, coupled with the relatively high speeds associated with waterskiing creates an element of risk both for participants and other river users.

To minimise these risks, a number of special rules apply to waterskiing in addition to those that apply to boating generally:

• waterskiing is not permitted before sunrise or after sunset except with written permission from a Marine Safety Officer.
• no more than 3 people or only one device may be towed at any one time except with written permission from marine group.
• every water skier (or person being towed in any other manner) must wear an approved personal flotation device (PFD) type 2 or 3 that complies with AS1499 or AS2260.
• a boat engaged in waterskiing must carry an observer in addition to the operator. In general, both the operator and the observer must be at least 16 years of age. However, a person between 12 and 15 years of age may act as an observer, provided that he or she holds a special boat operator’s permit and the boat operator is at least 18 years of age.
• the observer must continuously watch the skier and give the operator of the boat any directions necessary to ensure the safety of the skier.
• 0.05 blood alcohol limits apply to observers and waterskiers, in addition to boat operators.
• a skier falling into the water must (unless injured) hold an arm or ski vertically in the air to signal his or her presence.
• turns on leaving, approaching or in front of a take-off area must be made in an anti-clockwise direction, ie, keep to the starboard side of the waterway.
• boats leaving a take-off area must keep out of the way of boats arriving at a take-off area.
• ski ropes or skis trailing from a boat must be removed from the water before arriving at a take-off area.
• dropped skis must not be left in the water so as to present a hazard to other traffic.
• applicable to all boats - a boat must not travel within 100 metres of and directly behind a person who is being towed by another boat.