‘Water skiing’ means being towed, whether on water skis, aquaplane, surfboard, biscuit, paraglider or any similar device, or barefoot.
When water skiing stick to designated areas (unless more than 200 metres off shore) and always have an observer who is more than 10 years of age.
Ski Access Lanes are marked with posts and, in most cases, buoys coloured orange with black bands. They are intended only to provide access at speed for vessels towing a skier or similar between the shore and the open water 200 metres off shore.
Do not continue to ski within an access lane, nor use the marker buoys as a slalom course.
Boats pulling skiers are required to exit the access lane at the first opportunity.
Water ski access lanes or reserved areas are situated at:
(*) Indicates areas that are subject to significant tidal effects and may be usable only on a high tide with local knowledge.
Water skiing means being towed, whether on waterskis, aquaplane, surfboard, biscuit, paraglider or any similar device, or barefoot.
You are entitled to:
The rules that you are legally obliged to comply with are:
You cannot water-ski in Lake Rotoroa, Otūwhero Inlet at Mārahau, the “Go Slow” anchorages or anywhere else within 200m of shore if there is no water-ski access lane or reserved area.
However, deep water starts are allowed over 200m from shore anywhere apart from Lake Rotoroa.
There are a range of areas which are reserved.
Reserved areas are marked with posts and usually buoys, coloured black with white bands. They may be for other specified purposes, including swimming.
Check the adjacent signage to ensure skiing is permitted.
In an area reserved for skiing you may continue skiing within the area after a beach start, unlike an access lane. Stay within the area, do not use the marker buoys as a slalom course.
In summer, priority times for water skiers at Kaiteriteri Beach apply during the two hours either side of high tide at Port Nelson. The rules are set in our Navigation Safety Bylaw.
The priority use applies whenever buoys and ski marker poles are marking the area - usually from Labour Weekend in October through to April.
If the Beach Camp Launch Warden is on duty, a sign may be erected on the beach to indicate that the waters within that part of the bay are closed to swimmers and other users if anyone is waterskiing. However, the reservation will be in force at the defined times regardless of whether the sign is out or not.
Ski access lanes and reserved areas have no special status unless actually in use for skiing.
At other times, normal rules apply. However, you should not leave boats anchored or beached (unless pulled clear of the water) or set unattended fishing gear in these areas at any time in case skiing begins.
When skiing is taking place in a waterski area, or in or near a waterski lane, only boats involved in skiing may enter or remain in the area or lane.
Users should:
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