Your Guide to Water Skiing in Coolangatta

Water skiing really is the ultimate summer activity – fun to learn, great physical exercise, and an awesome way to explore the local waterways. Let’s take a look at how you can experience this fantastic sport in Coolangatta.

What is water skiing?

Water skiing involves towing someone behind a boat while they’re on skis, an inflatable toy, a board or a parasail. Water skiing can also be done with bare feet. It can be tricky at first but once you get the hang of it, we seriously doubt you’ll want to come in off the water!

What are some of the rules for water skiing in Coolangatta?

Whether it’s your boat that you’re using for water skiing or you’ve rented or borrowed one, it’s vital that you know your responsibilities. This will ensure that you’re keeping yourself, your friends, your family and other waterway users safe!

Here are a few points for water skiing safely (and legally) in Coolangatta:

• You need to make sure that your boat or PWC (personal watercraft) is in good condition, used safely and has the correct safety equipment.
• The driver of your boat or PWC must be correctly licensed.
• Your boat or PWC must be registered.
• All skiers must wear an appropriate life jacket.
• Water skiing should always be done in an anti-clockwise pattern unless local signs or site management say otherwise.
• You must carry an observer (who is 13 years or older) on board your boat or PWC, so they can communicate clearly and effectively to the driver if there is danger or potential danger, if the skier signals, or if the skier has an accident. The observer needs to have sufficient maturity, concentration and boating safety awareness to perform these tasks. The observer cannot suffer from a hearing, sight or other disability or impairment, and cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Prohibited water skiing areas in Coolangatta

Water skiing is prohibited in the following areas:

• Any restricted area that is usually designated by a sign
• All six-knot zones, including harbours and marinas
• Anywhere within 30 metres of people in the water, anchored boats, diver’s flags, jetties, pontoons or boat ramps
• Anywhere within 60 metres of people in the water if on a PWC

Great places to water ski in and around Coolangatta

There are so many beautiful places in and around Coolangatta and the Gold Coast area that are absolutely perfect for water skiing.
Dams are a great place for beginners to learn how to water ski, as there’s minimal ‘chop’ and (depending on where you go and when) you can often have the place to yourselves!
Some great dams where water skiing is allowed near Coolangatta are:

• Lake Atkinson
• Lake Dyer
• Lake Maroon
• Lake Moogerah
• Lake Somerset

All of these dams are located about two hours’ drive from Coolangatta.
For beginners, the Gold Coast Wake Park is an awesome option to learn how to water ski or wakeboard in a controlled environment. This place really has everything, from cables for first-timers that run at slower speeds of 25 kilometres per hour to difficult obstacles for experienced riders hand-picked by Daniel Watkins (the founder of the park himself).

Tickets for four hours of park fun are just $179.95 AUD for a family of four (two adults and two kids), so you can take the whole family to have a practice before you hit the open waterways!
Other locations around Coolangatta that are water skiing options include:

• Paradise Point (on Paradise Road)
• Tallebudgera Creek (Murlong Avenue behind the caravan tourist park)

Where can I get water skiing gear on the Gold Coast?

Water Skiers World is in Moorooka, about a one hour and 15-minute drive from Coolangatta. You can visit their store or also order online from their massive range of water skiing and wakeboarding equipment. They really do have everything you could think of, including water skiing boots, water ski covers, binding parts, water ski gloves, buoyancy suits, wetsuits and vests, barefoot water skiing accessories, ropes and handles, protective gear, tubes and a fashionable range of apparel for when you hit the water.

Wake N Surf is a much closer by to Coolangatta, located in Tweed Heads just near the hospital. They’re Australia’s leading kite and sail repair service, as well as obviously being retailers for a massive range of watersports gear, including kitesurfs, kitesurfing boards, double and slalom skis, wakeboards, stand-up paddles, kayaks, towable tubes and all accessories. They also have a ‘bargain centre’, where they sell secondhand gear at affordable prices. Perfect if you’re wanting to give water skiing a go but aren’t quite ready to commit yet!

Hitting the water in Coolangatta

Whether you live in Coolangatta or you’re visiting the Gold Coast for a family holiday, water skiing is an awesome activity for everyone to try out. You can book a lesson at one of the many providers if you’re a total novice, or you can hit the water yourself and go for your life if you’re a more experienced water skier. It’s a great way to keep the family active during your holiday, as well as giving you an opportunity to see some of the amazing waterside scenery in the area.

After your day out on the water having the time of your lives, you’re likely to have worked up a pretty major appetite. Why not pack up your gear and head to The Strand at Coolangatta to relax, refuel and grab a bite at one of our many dining establishments? There’s something for everyone at The Strand!