Riding a personal watercraft or PWC as a passenger can be intimidating, especially when doing it for the first time. Sky Powersports Lakeland is your local marine dealer in Florida, and we want you to be safe and have fun on the water. Our experts have gathered a few tips to help you make the most out of your debut PWC ride as a passenger. Read on to learn more, and for more information, contact us today!

Plan a Short Trip

PWC riding is a high-adrenaline activity, and you want to ride the waves confidently.

We often recommend our customers, especially those new to riding a PWC, to learn how it feels to be on the water first, then undertake long rides. As a passenger, you’ll want to plan a short trip first and give yourself time to learn the basics of riding a PWC.

Wear the Right Gear

Before you get on the PWC, wear proper gear to stay safe and comfortable on the water. Ensure you wear your life jacket, sunglasses, a wetsuit, and waterproof shoes with a firm grip. You also want to keep your protective clothing and rain gear handy.

Learn Hand Signal

As a passenger on a PWC, you don't have any control over the vehicle. The noise of the engine and surrounding traffic can make it difficult to shout out instructions or communicate with your operator verbally. That’s why you want to learn hand signals and practice them with your operator to ensure you both are on the same page. This way, you can let them know you're uncomfortable and want to slow down.

Keep Your Feet on the Footrests

You want to maintain your balance on the PWC and avoid becoming unsteady. One fantastic way to do this is to keep your feet firmly on the footrests. That’s why you should ride a personal watercraft as a passenger if only it can accommodate an extra person. Ensure you avoid exceeding the vessel's capacity by disallowing more than it can handle. This will ensure you can use the footrests properly and safely. You also want to remember to have a good grip before the driver takes off and don't let go until you are back on shore.

We hope you find these tips handy when riding a PWC as a passenger. If you need more ideas or want to explore our impressive collection of personal watercrafts for sale, visit Sky Powersports Lakeland. You’ll find us in Lakeland, FL, proudly welcoming our patrons from Tampa and Orlando.