Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 36, September 6, 2024
Section 58-25-7 - Water Skis and Surfboards7.1. No person may manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.7.2. No person may manipulate any water skis, surfboard or similar device while under the influence any alcoholic liquor, nonintoxicating beer, nonintoxicating craft beer, wine, or controlled substances, or while having an alcohol concentration in his or her blood of eight hundredths of one percent or more, by weight.7.3. No person may operate a vessel towing a person on water skis, surfboard, other towable or similar device, nor may any person engage in water skiing, surfboarding, or similar activity at any time between sunset and sunrise.7.4. No person may operate a vessel towing a person on water skis, surfboard, other towable or similar device unless: 7.4.1. A person at least 12 years of age or older other than the operator is on board the vessel in a position to observe the progress of the person being towed; or7.4.2. The vessel is equipped with a wide-angle rear-view mirror mounted in a manner that permits the operator to observe the progress of the person being towed.7.5. Sections 7.3 and 7.4 of this section do not apply to a performer in a professional exhibition or to a person engaged in an activity authorized under the provisions of W. Va. Code § 20-7-20.7.6. No person may operate a vessel on a government-owned reservoir while towing a person on water skis, surfboard, other towable or similar device nor may any person engage in water skiing surfboarding, or similar activity on the reservoir except in the unlimited speed zone.7.7. Except as provided in subsection 7.7.1 of this section, a person towed by a vessel shall wear a personal flotation device of an appropriate design and fit for the activity and person as defined and approved by the United States Coast Guard pursuant to 33 C.F.R § 175.13 2014et seq. as authorized by 46 U.S.C. § 4302. 7.7.1. A person engaged in barefoot waterskiing may elect, at his or her own risk, to wear a non-Coast Guard approved barefoot wetsuit designed specifically for that activity.