Boat types
Pontoons, bowriders/runabouts, and surf/wake boats.
TOW SPORTS
Safe Towing for Skiers & Tubers.
Make days on the tube or skis fun for riders and calmer for the captain with clear roles and safe habits.
WHO IT'S FOR
Is this the right course for you?
Ideal for parents, new captains, or anyone towing kids, friends, or guests for the first time.
Experience level
New captains, new-to-Okoboji boaters, or spouses/partners who want to share helm duties.
Where we train
Primarily on West Lake Okoboji, with other Iowa Great Lakes by request.
WHAT YOU'LL PRACTICE
Key skills in this module.
- Rope length basics and matching speed to age, weight, and conditions.
- Hand signals so riders, spotters, and captains stay synced up.
- Turn techniques that avoid swinging riders into rollers or other boats.
- Safe approaches back to a fallen rider with prop awareness.
EXAMPLE SESSION
How a typical session might flow.
- On-the-dock briefing to review signals, roles, and safe operating zones.
- Warm-up towing patterns in lighter traffic or calmer areas.
- Practice turn shapes and gentle speed changes with feedback from riders.
- End-of-session recap of signals and reminders you can keep on the boat.
ILLUSTRATION
Visual reference for this course.
