Towed watersports in West Virginia

Anyone being towed behind a boat or PWC, in an activity such as waterskiing, must wear a properly fitted Type I, II or III USCG-approved PFD. The only exception is for people engaged in barefoot waterskiing who may, at their risk, wear a non-USCG-approved barefoot wetsuit designed for this specific activity.

There must be a person, other than the operator, on board who is at least 12 years old and who continually observes the skier, or the towing vessel must be fitted with a wide-angle rearview mirror.

The towing vessel must have a capacity rating at least equal to the number of people operating, observing, and being towed.

Towing people on water skis or similar devices is only permitted from sunrise to sunset.

It is illegal to operate the towing vessel in such as manner as to cause the skier to collide with any other person or object. Similarly, anyone being towed must not manipulate the device so as to endanger the life, limb or property of another person.

Towed water sports are only permitted in the unlimited speed zones on government-owned reservoirs or other bodies of water.