Safety Rules

These Safety Rules are a separate document from, and are not part of, the Club’s Amateur Athletic Waiver and Release of Liability. A violation of these rules does not limit, condition, or affect the releases, indemnities, or other protections granted under that waiver. These rules govern conduct on and around the pond, and violation may result in suspension or termination of Club membership and loss of pond access.

General

Dubes Pond is private property. Use of the pond and its facilities is a privilege extended by the property owners and The Dubes Pond Waterski Club. It is the responsibility of every member and guest to act in a safe and courteous manner at all times. Any violation of these rules may result in suspension or termination of Club membership and loss of pond access.

• Acting in a safe, sane, and courteous manner is the responsibility of every Participant. When in doubt, stop.
• All equipment must comply with applicable state and federal law. Boats must be properly registered and equipped with required life-protection devices, horns, fire extinguishers, and other required equipment. A qualified observer must be in the tow boat at all times while a skier is in the water.
• Every skier and rider in the water must wear a properly fitted flotation vest at all times while under tow. Competition-style ski vests are appropriate for slalom and are encouraged for that discipline.
• New members and guests must ride with an experienced Club member before driving on the pond to learn the course layout, hazards, no-go zones, and stopping conventions. Under no circumstances should a member or guest drive on the pond before receiving proper instruction.
• Competition-style tow boats capable of tightly controlled turns, adequate acceleration, and straight tracking should be used whenever the slalom course is in use.
• Practice hours are set by the Club and the property owners. Do not ski before posted start times or after sunset. Out-of-hours skiing puts the Club’s access privilege at risk.
• Stay clear of docks, swimmers, fishermen, anchored boats, and the shoreline. Maintain a minimum 150-foot buffer wherever practical. When in doubt, stop.
• If non-member traffic is too close to the course or approach to ski safely, do not ski. Politely explain Club activity if asked. If others do not move, wait until they leave.
• No member shall take a second set until all others present have had a first set. Members are to act in a respectful manner to accommodate scheduling and are encouraged to use club communication apps to inform of time constraints.
• If you knock off, find, or notice a missing course buoy, replace it (using stretch cord only) or retrieve it and hand it to another member to replace. Report damaged equipment to a Club officer.
• If you spot a log, branch, or other floating debris during a session, tow it to shore and secure it, or mark it with a buoy or jug so another member can remove it.
• Drugs and alcohol are prohibited for any person operating a tow boat or being towed. Boat operators must comply with New Hampshire boating-while-intoxicated laws.

Slalom Course

• The boat driver must keep eyes straight ahead at all times during a pass to give the skier the straightest possible line and to avoid losing boat-guide buoys.
• When a skier falls, the skier should immediately raise one hand to signal they are okay. The boat will stop and return at headway speed only.
• Use of the slalom course is restricted to Club members and approved guests. If a non-member is observed using the course, politely explain that it is a private course and invite them to inquire about Club membership.
• If another skier is waiting, each skier should limit themselves to a reasonable number of passes (suggested: 6 passes or one full run, whichever comes first; a fall counts as a pass).