Safety on the lake
Safety on the lake
WHO CAN DRIVE
Who can drive
The designated boat operator must be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid government-issued ID. Arizona and Utah both require a boater safety card for operators born after January 1, 1987 — we'll verify yours at pickup or you can complete the free online course at boat-ed.com before your rental day. Whenever you have a rider being towed — wakesurfing, wakeboarding, or tubing — a separate spotter (age 12+) must be seated facing aft to watch the rider. We don't allow children under 12 to operate the helm under any circumstances.
First-time renters or anyone unfamiliar with inboard tow boats will complete a 15-minute on-water orientation with one of our team members before departure. We'll walk you through ballast control, the surf system, throttle response, and no-wake zones near the marina. This isn't a test — it's 15 minutes that tends to make the whole day better.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Required equipment
Every boat departs with a full complement of USCG-approved personal flotation devices sized XS through XXL — enough for a full passenger load. Life jackets must be worn at all times by anyone under 12 and by anyone in the water awaiting pickup after a fall. The engine kill cord (lanyard) must be attached to the driver's wrist or life jacket whenever the boat is on plane. We will not allow departure without the kill cord in place.
Each boat also carries a throwable Type IV PFD, a mounted fire extinguisher, a VHF marine radio pre-tuned to channel 16, a first-aid kit, and an emergency flare kit. Boarding ladders are attached at the stern. Do not remove, swap, or stow any safety equipment — these items must remain accessible throughout your rental.
WEATHER POLICY
Weather policy
Lake Powell is beautiful in nearly any conditions, but sustained winds above 20 mph create choppy, unsafe water for recreational tow sports. If the National Weather Service issues a small-craft advisory for the Page / Lake Powell area — or if our on-site team observes sustained winds above 20 mph at the time of your departure — we will offer you a full refund or a complimentary reschedule to any available date.
We make weather calls by 7 a.m. on your rental day and will contact you directly by phone or text. Gusts alone (brief spikes above threshold) do not constitute a weather cancellation unless accompanied by sustained conditions that, in our team's judgment, pose a safety concern. You are always free to cancel voluntarily under our standard cancellation policy if you're uncomfortable with the forecast.
EMERGENCIES
Emergencies
In any on-water emergency, hail the nearest marina or the National Park Service patrol on VHF Channel 16. Channel 16 is the universal distress and hailing frequency monitored by all vessels and the NPS lake rangers around the clock. State your position using landmarks or GPS coordinates and describe the nature of the emergency.
Our team is available 24 hours a day on rental days at (928) 555-0173. Text is fine for non-urgent issues; call immediately for injuries, vessel distress, or if someone falls overboard and cannot be recovered. We maintain a rigid inflatable rescue boat at Wahweap and can be on the water within minutes of a call.