Safety
PFD / life jacket
A U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device that wakesurfers must wear; inflatable PFDs are not allowed for towed watersports.
A personal flotation device (PFD), or life jacket, is required safety gear for wakesurfing. The standard is a U.S. Coast Guard-approved, non-inflatable wearable PFD, commonly a Type III, worn at all times while riding regardless of skill level. Inflatable PFDs are specifically prohibited for water skiing and other aquaplaning activities because they can fail on impact or fail to deploy.
In addition to the rider's worn PFD, a USCG-approved flotation device must be accessible aboard for every person on the boat. The PFD is especially important in wakesurfing given the carbon-monoxide and drowning risks of being in the water close behind the boat.