If pulling goofy, just go the other direction. When rider goes down pull up the throttle to neutral and turn towards your high side as you pull up, so that you are at a 90 degree angle to your up coming wave. Make sure you pause the stereo when you pull up also. This is left off sometimes, and if you don't crank the tunes, not needed. But my kids love listening to music and the big Wet Sounds Pro 80s are loud. We always pull up to neutral and turn 90 deg to high side, cut the music as we settle, let the wave pass, and then idle to 5mph when you head towards rider. I like to put rider on driver's side no matter what. So sometimes you do a figure 8 to rider, sometimes a circle. Always be at idle as you approach the rider. I also always turn towards rider just as they are next to me (driver) and up to neutral. We like to get close to rider to ease getting the rope, so I hit neutral when rider is beside driver so that they go past the rear of the boat with prop NOT spinning. Since I started my turn as they got to me, I put back in idle as they grab rope and clear of the rear.
Both other notes are good advice, use what works for you, and is safe. Take your time, but remember, conditions may alter this plan. For instance, if your rider falls and you see a boat heading for them, get between rider and boat asap.
Another quick safety tip along these lines....
When one of my kids, or anyone is surfing, and I see a boat or ski take a position behind us, which I think is too close, I motion to the rider to hold. My kids know this means to relax and get in the pocket and don't fall. I then proceed to wave the flag or provide international hand gestures to the offending boat. ;-) When the boat or ski is no longer an issue, I give the rider a thumbs up.
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