How to Dress to Go Jet Skiing

Jet skiing is a fun and thrilling water sport for the entire family, but there are precautions on how to dress for this activity that you should know about before you hop on that jet ski and get in the water. Wearing appropriate apparel that protects you from the sun and water is a must for having an enjoyable and safe jet-ski experience.

Instructions

1. Wear a wet suit. A wet suit will protect you if you fall off the jet ski and hit the water at high speed. It will also safeguard against hypothermia and sun exposure. If you don't have a wet suit, you can wear swimwear with a sun-proof shirt and shorts.

2. Don a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket over your wet suit or shirt and shorts. Even if you know how to swim, you need to wear a PFD or life jacket to keep you afloat in the event that you are knocked unconscious in a collision.

3. Put on goggles with UV protection or sunglasses with a neoprene strap to keep them secure. A strap that floats is ideal in case your sunglasses come off your head.

4. Wear boat shoes or other shoes appropriate for water sports. Boat shoes or deck shoes are best because they have the best traction on wet surfaces, but water socks or very secure sports sandals will work well too.

5. Secure a small whistle around your wrist in the event that you are thrown from the jet ski. If you are floating in open water, blowing a whistle alerts other boaters and jet skiers to your presence until you can get picked up.

6. Adjust and wear a secure visor for additional sun protection for your face and eyes. Hats generally get blown off your head at high speeds, so if you want head wear, choose a visor that fastens tightly and jet ski at a moderate speed.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose tight-fitting apparel when jet skiing to avoid clothing that flaps noisily in the wind. If you're not wearing a wetsuit, choose a fitted sun-proof shirt and fitted swimwear or regular swimwear and a neoprene vest.