For many Americans, being pulled from the end of a slim tow line attached to a speeding motorboat is a summer rite of passage. The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety includes 10 summer safety tips for sports such as: waterskiers, wakeboading and tubers that will guarantee everyone has a great time:

1. FLOAT FIRST: confirm anyone being towed has a properly fitting life jacket that won't ride up over a wearer's head if they take a spill. A Type III vest is best because it has the extra buckles to providing a snug fit and is built for taking a hard fall.

2. TALK TO THE HAND: A rider has little control over a tube, skiers and boarders need

control help, too. Before anyone jumps in the water, go over a few standard sports hand signals, such as, to stop (hand slashing the neck), slow (thumb down), speed up (thumb up), OK (tip of index finger and thumb together), turn (point finger upwards in a circular motion) and return to dock (pat head).

3. ENGINE OFF: Always turn off the boat's engine when a rider is about to enter or exit the water. Not only can a prop rotate while the motor is in "neutral," the engine exhaust will produce carbon monoxide. Also never back up to retrieve a rider who has fallen.

4. WAIT FOR THE OK: Once a sportsskier is in the water, wait until they are far enough away from the boat and then signal that it's OK to start the engine.

5. SPOTTER IS A MUST: It's very important to have constant visual contact with person being towed. It's the law in most states.

6. LOOK BEFORE TURNING: . It's the turns that really make sports fun. But don't leave those at the end of the towline guessing when the next turn is coming. The hand signal for turning is a pointing finger upwards in a circular motion, then pointing to the direction of the desired turn.

7. THINK BIG: Keep in mind that withchildren on the end of long towline, your boat's safety "footprint" is now much larger. That means being extra cautious when your near other boaters, docks, navigational aids, and crossing wakes.

8. TWO HEAD TURNS FOR EVERY "DROP": The moment someone falls off the tube or a skier or boarder drops, the boat operator should look to both sides before turning around for a pick-up.

9. GOOD TO GO: For riders after a knock down, clasp your hands over your head so those on the towboat know you are OK and then ready for retrieval. In most states a red or orange "skier down" flag may need to be displayed.

10. TIP UP AND BE SEEN: A skier who has fallen in the water can be seen by others more easily if they keep the ski tips above the water.

For more information on your state's safety requirements, you may go to www.BoatUS.org/onlinecourse and click on State Boating Regulations. Founded in 1981, the BoatU.S. Foundation for Sports Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit education and research organization primarily funded by the voluntary contributions of the 600,000 members.

It excels in providing safe, smart boating resources for boat owners nationwide. Hurricane season is also flood season, and as of June first, both will have arrived. The beginning of the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season means increased risks for both tropical storms and flooding. In the state of Virginia, that is a particularly important point when only 3.7 percent of households are covered with flood insurance. It is important to remind Virginia residents now about appropriate flood safety precautions for hurricane season and how they can protect property with flood insurance policy. Flood policies typically take 30 days to take effect, and past hurricane seasons have shown that some storms can form as early as June (Tropical Storm Arlene, June 2005) and continue all the way to November.

The FloodSmart program has achieved interactive tools to help residents learn more about flood risks and how to safeguard their properties against damage, such as: An interactive "test the waters" tool that allows viewers to determine how expensive different types of floods can actually be; this tool can be found at http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/flash/flood_my_house_external.swf.

A "hurricane season clock" that counts down to the start of hurricane season, and then continues through the season, providing helpful tips and facts about flooding. View, share, and download this "widget" at: http://www.fema.gov/help/widgets/countdown_index.shtm.A video testimonial reporsts a personal flood story of Weatherman, Frank Billingsley; this video can be viewed and downloaded at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/365.

Flood fact sheets explaining different hurricane season risks and tips to prepare. Important flood preparation tips and helpful insurance agent links may be found at www.FloodSmart.gov or by calling 1-800-427-2419.