TIPS FOR BETTER PWC RIDING

Shredding the water on a Sea-Doo® pretty much exemplifies adrenaline and freedom. There are few things more impressive, or entertaining, than someone who knows how to ride their PWC like a pro. But if you want to learn riding skills quickly, what are the best places to start? Keep in mind that a personal watercraft operates much differently from everything that drives on land, which means you’re in for a whole new experience if you’re new to riding a watercraft. To help get you started, this guide from Campers RV Center will help you out. And if you’re still in the market for a Sea-Doo®, stop by our dealership in Shreveport, LA to check out our inventory.

Always Consider Safety First

Remember, no matter how far you want to push yourself on a PWC, your first consideration should always be safety. A Sea-Doo® is really fun to ride, so it’s very easy to forget how vulnerable you are to danger. One obstacle or bad corner could throw you off your personal watercraft, or worse, so make sure you take all the appropriate cautionary measures. Wear a lifejacket, and pay careful attention to the regulations in your area. Also, keep an eye out for other watercraft, as collisions are some of the most dangerous types of boating accidents. Finally, make sure you have a safety shutoff lanyard attached to the ignition and your lifejacket. That way, if you’re thrown from your craft for any reason, it will shut off before doing any serious damage.

Using Your Entire Body

Unlike a car, you can’t rely on just the steering wheels to successfully navigate a PWC. Instead, you need to turn your entire body into every maneuver. Remember, riding a personal watercraft is a sport, which means you need to engage your body in the action in order to control it properly.

Familiarize Yourself with your PWC

All PWC ride differently. While some have deep hulls and powerful engines, others are smaller and don’t pack as much of a punch. You should always inspect new vehicles to get to know the safety features and performance components. Then, ride around for a while at slower speeds to get a feel for how your Sea-Doo® behaves. Don’t start out riding full throttle, as you’ll need some time to adapt to your specific model before attempting any intense maneuvers.

How to Use the Throttle while Turning

Similarly to driving on the road, you want to use your personal watercraft’s throttle effectively when taking sharp turns. Before entering a corner, you should cut off the throttle so the bow dips and lets you pivot through the turn. Then, open the throttle back up as your coming out of the turn, as this helps you cut right out of it and quickly regain your momentum.

Respect all Riders

Finally, no matter how skilled or experienced you are on a PWC, it’s always important to respect other riders. Just like unsafe practices, a rude personal watercraft rider can ruin the afternoon for everyone else on the water. For instance, avoid cutting other boats off, and make sure you always use your horn or whistle when you want to pass someone. Also, since many Sea-Doo® personal watercraft are very loud, try not to go out early in the morning, when people living close by are trying to sleep.

Riding a PWC well takes a lot of practice, but with this guide from Campers RV Center, you should be able to get most of the basics down pretty quickly. If you have any other questions, feel free to come ask our team here in Shreveport, LA. Most of us have plenty of experience riding personal watercraft, which means we can also help you find the most appropriate model for your needs, if you’re still in the market. We’re located near Bossier City, Ruston, and Monroe, LA, and also serve customers from Marshall, Longview, and Tyler, Texas.