Ski Care

"You'd look better riding a surf ski."

General

• Do carry the ski on your shoulder when taking it down the stairs, or get a friend to help if you do not feel confident
• Do be aware of passers-by, wind conditions, and low hanging wires, give way as necessary
• Do rest your ski on sand, grass or other soft surfaces, or upside down on hard surfaces to keep from scratching the hull
• Do take care of the rudder, do not let the rudder collide with, or become snagged on, anything. Rudders bend easily

Before Use

• Do take care when removing skis from the racks
• Do check the ski for damage before you take it out, in particular check that the rudder works, there is no water in the ski, and the hull has no obvious holes
• Do tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back if you are headed for a long paddle alone
• Do not borrow someone else's ski without asking
• Do inflate your ski slightly and use a cork or tape to make it air-tight

On The Beach

• Do make sure your ski is resting above the high tide mark
• Do not leave your ski in the sun for long periods of time as this damages it

In The Surf

• Do think about what where the ski would end up if you lost it
• Do avoid the rocks
• Do wear your patrol or competition cap if the flags are up
• Do be prepared to wait for a lull to enter or leave the beach
• Do be mindful of the equipment, your own safety, and the safety of others
• Do not paddle behind another board or ski through the break
• Do not let go of your ski, if you are knocked off by a wave hold the foot-straps with your hands or by curling your feet up
• Do not paddle between the flags, ever
• Do not let your rudder hit the sand
• Do not let go of your paddle, it's usually impossible to find again
• Do not do ins-and-outs at Tamarama while the flags are up or when it poses a safety risk (you may leave and enter the beach, provided you can do so safely)
• Do not be sideways in the break
• Be aware of changing conditions, it is easy to get caught out by rising surf or wind on longer paddles
• Be aware that Tamarama is a hard beach to enter and exit on a ski, if you do not feel confident try the harbour or another beach

At The End of The Day

• Do wash the ski with fresh water
• Do empty the ski of any water is has accumulated during your session
• Do take care when replacing a ski in the racks
• Do not store your ski with the cork or tape still covering the bung hole

If You Do Damage a Ski

• Inform the owner, or if it is a club ski, the board and ski captain of the problem