North Dakota Code § 20.1-13-10

Water skis, surfboard, and barefoot skiing - Penalty
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1. An individual may not engage in barefoot skiing or manipulate any water skis, 
surfboard, or similar device without wearing a life preserver approved by the 
department, unless the individual is:
a. Sixteen years of age or older and engaged in windsurfing or boardsailing; or
b. Engaging or attempting to engage in barefoot skiing or surfing and the individual 
is wearing a wet suit specifically designed for barefoot skiing or surfing which is in 
good and serviceable condition and of appropriate size.
2. An individual engaging or attempting to engage in barefoot skiing or surfing under 
subdivision b of subsection 1, must have on board the towing vessel a life preserver 
approved by the department.
3. Any time between one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise, an individual may 
not operate a vessel on any waters of this state towing an individual engaged in 
barefoot skiing or on water skis, a surfboard, or similar device, nor engage in barefoot 
skiing, water skiing, surfboarding, or similar activity.
4. Subsections 1 and 3 do not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition 
or an individual engaged in an activity authorized under section 20.1-13-11.

5. An individual may not operate or manipulate any vessel, towrope, or other device by 
which the direction or location of water skis, a surfboard, or similar device may be 
affected or controlled in a way as to cause the water skis, surfboard, or similar device, 
or an individual on the device or engaged in barefoot skiing , to collide with or strike 
against any object or individual.
6. An individual may not operate a vessel on any waters of this state towing an individual 
engaged in barefoot skiing or on water skis, a surfboard, or similar device unless there 
is another individual in the towing vessel observing any individual being towed or the 
vessel is equipped with a mirror at least seventy -eight square inches [198.12 square 
centimeters] which provides the operator an unobstructed field of vision to the rear . 
This subsection does not apply to a personal watercraft or to members of any 
organization regularly staging water ski shows, tournaments, or exhibitions while 
engaged in the performance of such shows, tournaments, or exhibitions. The 
department shall adopt rules to allow such organizations to practice in preparation for 
such events, as prescribed in section 20.1-13-11.
7. An individual who violates this section is guilty of a class 2 noncriminal offense.

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