With summer now in full swing, we’re stoked to get on our PWCs – or what’s known as a “personal watercraft,” like a Jet Ski or Sea-Doo, etc) – to rip around the lake and make a wake!

Did you know you can easily tow a one-person inflatable tube behind a 3-person PWC? It’s equally as amazing as being towed behind a boat. You have one driver, one spotter (facing backward, like in the image above), and one person riding the tube.

However, you should always remember that PWCs are super maneuverable and fast-moving, and they can lose balance and tip over – meaning that you could get into a tricky situation. That being said, check out our top six PWC safety tips you should always remember when operating a personal watercraft this summer.

Safety must always be your priority on the water!

A girl driving a personal watercraft while wearing a lifejacket, PWC safety concept.

Top 6 Safety Tips for Operating a PWC

Knowing your stuff is the best way to be safe on the water and have tons of fun. Applying the six tips below can help you have more fun on your PWC this season.

  1. Don’t follow too closely behind other PWCs. Quick, sudden maneuvers can result in accidents. “Bumper-boats” is no joke on the lake!
  2. Always be on the lookout for action and other boating traffic around you – i.e., kayaks, swimmers, other PWCs, boats, etc.
  3. Remember, PWC operation follows the same responsibilities as operating a motorized boat.
  4. Never operate a PWC at night (after dark) or in the morning (before the sun comes up).
  5. Attach an ignition cutoff switch or lanyard to your lifejacket. A quick pull on these lanyards (say, if you fall off) will immediately stop the engine, preventing an accidental runaway.
  6. Know how to get back on a PWC (in case you fall off in deep water). It happens sometimes, and reboarding requires some effort.

Watch and learn in the video below!

Be Aware of PWC Age and Horsepower Restrictions

To legally operate a PWC in Canada, you must be 16 years of age or older and have your Canadian boating license (also called a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or PCOC).

Those under 16 years of age may not operate a PWC under any conditions, even with supervision.

Illustration of a young man operating a personal watercraft (PWC).

These 6 PWC Safety Tips Can Save Lives

Just remembering those six simple tips can mean a summer full of waves, tubing, and good times. Prioritizing safety, including taking a boater course, can save lives!

If you don’t have your boating license and haven’t taken a boater safety course, now is a good time to take care of these things before hitting the water again. BOATsmart! makes it easy to take Canada-approved and U.S.-approved online courses. You can also get your Canadian PCOC through our website!

Start the course and get your license here.

Have a great Sea-Doo, Jet Ski, or boating photo? Tweet us at @BOATsmart with the picture! We’d love to see it.

Originally published May 31, 2016. Content most recently reviewed and updated July 25, 2024.

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