How to ride a jet ski: starting, steering, stopping and passengers
Updated 13 min read
The short answer
To ride a jet ski, put your lifejacket on, clip the kill switch lanyard to your wrist or lifejacket, and start the engine in knee-deep water with the nose pointed away from shore. Then keep some throttle on whenever you want to turn, because a jet ski can't steer without power. Hold 6 knots or less until you're 60 metres out, and leave plenty of room to stop. Riding your own or a borrowed jet ski in Queensland also takes two licences. Here's each step in order, the habits behind many crashes, and what the PWC licence practical asks you to show.
Before you ride: two licences, a lifejacket and the kill switch lanyard
Riding a jet ski on your own in Queensland takes a recreational marine licence plus a personal watercraft licence. On a private or borrowed jet ski, without them you can only ride with a licence holder aboard who supervises you directly and can take over straight away. Hire is different: the BoatSafe Workbook says a jet ski hired from a licensed hirer can sometimes be ridden without a licence, under restrictions the hirer must explain before you set off. On a jet ski, section 60 of the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2016 adds two conditions: you two are the only people on board, and a kill switch safety lanyard links the licence holder to the craft.
The lanyard is the first piece of kit to understand. It clips to your lifejacket or your wrist, and if it pulls out of the switch, the engine shuts off. The BoatSafe Workbook says to test it before every trip. Some jet skis use a self-circling feature instead, idling in a slow loop back to where you fell. Don't swim after it.
Riders and passengers wear a lifejacket at all times. Speeds, distances and gear by water type are all in our jet ski rules guide.
Starting a jet ski: knee-deep water, nose out, and no neutral gear
To turn on a jet ski, have it in knee-deep water with the bow pointed at the middle of the waterway or away from shore, rock it side to side to free sand and debris, attach the lanyard, then turn the ignition on. Start any shallower and the intake grate sucks up sand. The BoatSafe PWC competency standard gives an example minimum of 600 mm of water.
Do your checks before that. The workbook lists bungs secured, steering and throttle working properly, no cracks or leaks in the hull, and every seat and compartment locked down. Read your owner's manual too, as it tells you whether to start the engine before the craft goes in the water.
Here's what surprises first-timers. A jet ski has no neutral gear. Once the motor's running, it moves forward. So look around first. Nobody in front, and nobody close behind either, since the water jet out the back reaches up to three metres and can injure a swimmer. Then idle out at 6 knots or less until you're 60 metres from shore.
Throttle and steering: no throttle means no steering
A jet ski is hardest to control when you come off the throttle, because it steers with its throttle as much as its handlebars. There's no rudder. The bars swing a nozzle at the back, and the jet of water leaving it pushes the stern sideways. Turn the bars right, the back gets pushed left, and the craft turns right. No water jet, no push.
That's why the BoatSafe Workbook calls this the most critical thing to understand about riding one. When the engine idles or stops, all steering control is lost, and the craft carries on in the direction it was heading whichever way you turn the bars. Some newer models have limited off-throttle steering. Don't count on it.
The trap is instinct. Something appears ahead, and your thumb comes off the throttle. The workbook says many accidents have happened exactly this way, with riders hitting objects or people after cutting power. The fix is to keep the power on and turn away. Practise turning at speed in open water with no other boats around, so the right reflex is already there when you need it.
Turning a jet ski: ease off slightly, lean in, then power through
Turning a jet ski at speed works like turning a motorbike. Ease off slightly, turn the handlebars, shift your weight toward the turn, then apply enough throttle to finish it. More thrust gives a sharper turn. Too little and the craft turns slowly or not at all. Too much and it can spin out, throwing you and any passenger off.
The workbook describes three speeds. Trolling is idle, with the nose down and no wake. Sub-planing is medium speed, with the nose up and the stern pushed deeper, which makes a larger wake. Planing is faster, with the whole craft level and skimming the top, leaving little wake. At trolling and sub-planing speeds you can tighten a turn by feathering the throttle: short, sharp squeezes while you steer.
Before any turn, look over both shoulders. Another boat may be closer behind than you think. Rough water, your body movement and the number of people aboard all change how the craft responds, so learn how a passenger changes the steering before you ride fast with one.
Stopping and landing: allow up to 80 metres
A jet ski has no brakes. From full speed it can travel up to 80 metres after you release the throttle and stop the engine, according to the BoatSafe Workbook, and with the throttle off you've got no steering either. So start slowing early, well before the beach, the pontoon or the boat you're heading for. Practise stopping in the middle of a waterway to learn how much water your craft needs.
Many jet skis have a reverse lever. It drops a bucket over the jet nozzle and sends the water forward, so the craft backs up while the bars still pick the direction. Only use it at slow idle. Pulling it at higher speed can damage the craft, and the workbook says to avoid using it as a brake.
Landing on a beach? Come in at 6 knots or less inside 60 metres of shore, slower again around rocks, and turn the engine off before you reach shallow water. That stops the pump sucking up sand and damaging the impeller.
Carrying a passenger: they hold your lifejacket
The safest way for a passenger to hang on is to hold the lifejacket of the rider in front of them. Many jet ski lifejackets have straps on each side for exactly this. Gripping the handle behind the seat can injure a passenger's arms or back if the craft capsizes or spins out, the BoatSafe Workbook warns.
As the rider, your passengers are your responsibility. Make sure each one wears a suitable lifejacket, and brief them on what the craft can do before you speed up. Check your manufacturer's age and size limits for passengers as well. The workbook notes your insurance may be void if you ignore them.
Learners have a hard rule. A learner can't carry anyone except the supervising licence holder, and on a jet ski the pair must be the only two aboard. Swapping seats out on the water is part of the practical too: you need to be able to describe how it's done, and when it isn't safe to try.
Falling off and getting back on: climb over the back
Falling off happens, so know the drill. If the lanyard came out, the engine has already stopped. Swim to the back and reboard over the rear deck, using the handles behind the seat. Climbing on from the side can tip the craft over. Re-attach the lanyard once you're aboard, or the engine won't start.
A capsized jet ski rarely stays upside down, because its centre of gravity is low. If yours does, stop the engine by pulling the lanyard, then follow the righting method in your owner's manual, since rolling it the wrong way can damage the craft or you. Keep your hands out of the intake grille. Afterwards, head for shore as soon as you can and check it for water damage.
The workbook suggests practising reboarding with someone else around, and not riding when you're tired or hurt, as climbing back on gets hard. If anyone is injured or in trouble on the water, call triple zero (000).
What not to do on a jet ski: common causes of crashes
Don't let go of the throttle to dodge something. Keep the power on and turn away. The BoatSafe Workbook lists the habits below as things to avoid to reduce the chance of incidents.
Don't ride close behind another jet ski. If the leader turns sharply you can collide, and if they fall off you can run them over. Don't zig-zag with another jet ski at high speed. Don't ride or jump a boat's wake up close, because the boat can hide oncoming traffic, or stop and change direction without warning.
Don't keep your speed up in shallow water. Don't stare at the patch of water just ahead while traffic builds around you. Don't leave the engine running while someone climbs aboard at the back. And don't head out alone if you can help it. Ride in pairs, and tell someone on land where you're going and when you'll be back.
The PWC practical: what you show the assessor on the water
The jet ski licence practical follows the BoatSafe PWCL Competency Standard from the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Its manoeuvring unit lists what you show on the water, set out in the table below. The instructor demonstrates each task first, then you do it, and you need to perform it satisfactorily at least twice. Easier tasks come before harder ones, so confidence builds as you go.
Much of it is the handling on this page: testing the cut-off switch, starting in enough depth, turns both ways, a figure 8, explaining why steering disappears with the power off, then stopping and getting off.
You can learn all of this on our Jet Ski Licence course, from $275. It runs over one day, we supply every piece of equipment, and the theory is done online. The standalone course needs a current boat licence, so if you don't hold one, the Boat & Jet Ski Combo covers both licence courses in a single day. Courses run on sheltered water at Caloundra, Maroochydore and Noosa. Pick a day on our course dates page and check what to bring on course day, because it's a wet one.
What the jet ski practical assesses (BoatSafe PWCL Competency Standard, September 2016, unit 3: manoeuvring)
Scroll sideways to see every column
| Stage | What you show | Why it matters on a real ride |
|---|---|---|
| Starting correctly | Know the controls, start to the maker's instructions, test the cut-off switch, start in enough water (for example at least 600 mm) | There's no neutral gear, and a shallow start sucks sand into the pump |
| Riding in good conditions | Smooth departure, turns to port and starboard at different speeds, a figure 8 | Turning needs throttle, so this is where the habit forms |
| Handling knowledge | Explain the loss of steering when power comes off, and turning at high speed | Cutting power near an obstacle is a common cause of collisions |
| Coming alongside | Bring the jet ski alongside a floating object, and a fixed platform if practicable | Up to 80 metres to stop from full speed means planning every approach |
| Judging distance and speed | Judge 30 and 60 metres, and 6 and 10 knots | These are the numbers in Queensland's jet ski speed and distance rules |
| Passengers | Describe how to swap seats on the water and when it isn't safe; keep passengers safe throughout | The rider is responsible for everyone aboard |
| Harder conditions | Control in confined waters and through another vessel's wash | Choppy water affects a jet ski's steering, power and balance |
| Seamanship | Lookout, right of way, noise, fuel, weather and the maker's limits | Jet ski speed cuts the time you have to spot and avoid a collision |
| Emergencies | Spot hazards, know how to right a capsized jet ski, keep the pump intake clear, stop and dismount | Reboarding and righting are skills you need alone on the water |
Common questions
Is a jet ski easy to ride?
A sit-down jet ski is easy to balance at low speed. The BoatSafe Workbook says cruising models are very stable when stopped or moving slowly in smooth water, while stand-up models need more coordination and balance. The tricky part is steering, because a jet ski only turns while the throttle is on. Get that habit right first, on sheltered water with an instructor, before you ride fast or carry a passenger.
Do jet skis flip over?
Yes, they can tip over, for example if you climb aboard from the side instead of over the back. Too much throttle in a turn is a separate risk: the craft can spin out and throw you and any passenger off. A capsized jet ski rarely stays upside down, because its centre of gravity is low. If yours does, pull the lanyard to stop the engine, follow the righting steps in the owner's manual, and keep your hands clear of the intake grille.
Are jet skis safe?
They can be, if you manage the two risks specific to a jet ski. It has no brakes, and when the engine idles or stops you lose all steering. The BoatSafe Workbook says many accidents have happened with riders hitting objects or people after cutting power, so keep the power on and turn away. In Queensland, everyone aged 1 or more on a jet ski has to wear a lifejacket. Our [jet ski rules guide](/guides/jet-ski-rules-qld/) covers the rest.
How do you ride a jet ski as a passenger?
Sit behind the rider, wear your own lifejacket, and hold onto the rider's lifejacket, using its side straps if it has them. The BoatSafe Workbook calls that the safest hold, and warns that gripping the handle behind the seat can hurt your arms or back in a capsize or spin-out. Ask the rider to brief you before they speed up, and check the craft's passenger age and size limits.
How far does a jet ski take to stop?
Up to 80 metres from full speed, according to the BoatSafe Workbook, counted after the throttle is released and the engine stopped. With the throttle off you also lose steering, so the craft keeps going the way it was pointed. Start slowing well before a beach, pontoon or another boat, and practise stopping in open water to learn what your craft needs. Save the reverse lever for slow idle.
Do you get wet on a jet ski?
Yes, plan on it. If you fall off, you climb back aboard from the water over the rear deck, and the BoatSafe Workbook suggests practising that with someone around. On our courses the jet ski day is a wet one, so bring a towel and a change of clothes along with photo ID and sun protection. We supply the jet ski, the lifejackets and all the training gear.
Where can I learn to ride a jet ski on the Sunshine Coast?
Our jet ski course runs on sheltered water from three bases: Golden Beach in Caloundra, Maroochydore and Noosaville. On your own craft afterwards, check where you're allowed to ride. A private personal watercraft must not be operated in the Noosa River marine zone, apart from limited exceptions set out in our jet ski rules guide. In most places, slow to 6 knots within 60 metres of people in the water and the shore; our jet ski rules guide covers the exceptions.
Sources
- BoatSafe Workbook, 6th edition, chapter 7: Personal watercraft (Department of Transport and Main Roads) (accessed )
- BoatSafe PWCL Competency Standard, September 2016 (Department of Transport and Main Roads) (accessed )
- Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2016, current as at 1 February 2026 (Queensland Legislation) (accessed )
- Boat and personal watercraft licences (Queensland Government) (accessed )
Rules can change. This guide was last reviewed on ; check the official source before you rely on a specific figure.
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Other Licences We Offer
One-day course at Caloundra, Maroochydore or Noosa, with all equipment provided.