Safety & What to Bring
If you can ride a bike, you can ride a jet ski. This guide covers every requirement, every item, and every rule — so you're ready before you hit the ramp.
Before You Leave Home
Run through this list the morning of your ride. Missing one required item can delay or cancel your launch.
Valid Driver's License or State ID (18+ operator)
Michigan Boating Safety Certificate if born on/after Jan 1, 1979
Phone charged to 80%+ (Josh coordinates on the water)
$200 security deposit ready (cash or card at check-in)
Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in and briefing
Life jacket on before and during your ride (provided by Juniors)
Who Can Ride
Michigan law sets the baseline. Juniors adds a few clear standards so every launch is safe and straightforward.
Minimum age
Operators must be 18 or older with a valid Driver's License or State ID. No exceptions — the person riding the throttle must meet this requirement.
Boating Safety Certificate
Michigan law requires a Boating Safety Certificate for anyone born on or after January 1, 1979. Complete the ~1 hour course at boat-ed.com before arrival. Digital or printed proof works at check-in.
Experience level
No prior jet ski experience required. If you can ride a bike, you can ride a jet ski. Josh covers controls, rules, and river conditions in a full briefing before every launch.
Physical readiness
You should be comfortable swimming and able to follow verbal instructions on the water. Tell Josh about any concerns before launch — he'd rather answer questions at the dock than on the river.
Required At Check-In
Bring all four. No exceptions — Josh verifies these before every launch.
●Valid Driver's License or State ID
Required at check-in
Must be current and match the operator riding the ski. Josh verifies ID before every rental.
●Michigan Boating Safety Certificate
If born on/after Jan 1, 1979
No certificate means no rental — but the course is about an hour online. Screenshot or PDF on your phone is fine.
●Phone charged to 80%+
For coordination & photos
Josh uses your number for arrival updates and stays reachable while you're on the water. A waterproof pouch or lanyard helps if you want it on the ski.
●$200 security deposit
Cash or card at check-in — not paid online
Separate from your online rental payment. Fully refundable after a clean ride. Held only if there's damage or a policy violation.
Recommended To Pack
Not required — but regular riders bring these. Makes the ride more comfortable and the photos better.
Booking confirmation
Email or screenshot
Helpful if you booked online — Josh can also look you up by name and time slot.
Ski goggles or sunglasses
Highly recommended
River spray and wind pick up fast past the bridge. Polarized lenses help with midday glare off the RenCen.
Wet suit or rash guard
Recommended spring & fall
Detroit River water is warmest midsummer. Early season and evening rides feel better with an extra layer.
Bottled water
Stay hydrated
Summer sun on the ramp and river adds up. Bring water for before and after your ride.
Sunscreen
Water reflects UV hard
Apply before arrival — hands stay cleaner for controls and check-in.
Towel & change of clothes
For after the ride
You'll get spray even on calm days. A dry shirt for the drive home is worth packing.
Waterproof phone pouch
Optional but popular
Riders love skyline shots from the saddle. Secure it to your life jacket — never loose on the deck.
Provided by Juniors
Your online rental price covers gear and briefing. Don't buy a life jacket — we fit you at the dock.
USCG-approved life jackets
Sized and fitted at the dock for every rider. Life jacket on at all times on the water — no exceptions.
Premium jet skis
Well-maintained skis ready at Riverside Park. Josh walks you through throttle, steering, and shutoff before launch.
Full safety briefing
Controls, river rules, no-go zones, and what to do if you need help. Questions encouraged — there are no dumb ones at the ramp.
On-water guide coverage
Josh stays nearby throughout your ride. You're exploring open water, not going solo without support.
Launch & recovery support
Check-in, gear prep, launch, and return handled at Riverside Park under the Ambassador Bridge.
Michigan Boating Safety Certificate
Born on or after January 1, 1979? Michigan requires this before you operate a PWC. About 1 hour online — do it before you arrive.
Step 1
Visit boat-ed.com
Go to boat-ed.com and select the Michigan Boating Safety Course. Works on phone or desktop — about 1 hour total.
Step 2
Complete the modules
Work through Michigan-specific rules: navigation, PWC operation, right-of-way, and emergency procedures. Pause and resume anytime.
Step 3
Pass the exam
Pass the final exam and receive your Boating Safety Certificate immediately. Save a screenshot or PDF to your phone.
Step 4
Bring proof to check-in
Show digital or printed certificate at Riverside Park. Born before Jan 1, 1979? You're exempt — just bring valid ID.
Check-In to Launch
Arrive at Riverside Park Boat Ramp — 3801 W Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48216. Free parking at the ramp.
Arrive
15 min before slotRiverside Park Boat Ramp — 3801 W Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48216. Free parking at the ramp. Look for Josh at the dock.
Check-in
~5 minVerify ID, boating certificate (if required), and collect the $200 deposit (cash or card).
Gear & fit
~5 minLife jacket sizing, ski assignment, and quick gear check. Phone stays accessible for photos and coordination.
Safety briefing
~10 minControls, throttle behavior, river traffic rules, distance from vessels and shore, and hand signals. No launch until everyone's clear.
Launch
Your ride timeOn a 1-hour rental, expect ~50 minutes of actual ride time — the rest covers check-in, briefing, and gear prep.
Return & deposit
End of rideReturn to the ramp, quick inspection, and deposit refunded on the spot after a clean ride.
Need directions? See the contact page for the map and parking details.
Safety Briefing
Every rider gets the full walkthrough before launch. No one hits the throttle until Josh is confident you're ready.
- Throttle, steering, and engine shutoff (lanyard kill switch)
- Mounting and dismounting from the dock safely
- Life jacket fit and why it stays on for the full ride
- Maintaining safe distance from boats, docks, swimmers, and other PWCs
- No-wake zones and slow-speed areas near the ramp and marinas
- What to do if you fall off — re-boarding and signaling Josh
- River traffic patterns on the Detroit River (commercial traffic, ferries, recreational boats)
- Weather and wind — when to slow down or head back
- Where you can go on your rental duration (bridge, RiverWalk, RenCen, Belle Isle approach)
On-Water Safety Rules
- Life jacket on at all times on the water — fitted at the dock before launch
- Attend the full safety briefing before launch; no exceptions
- Never operate under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or impairing drugs
- Keep at least 100 feet from other vessels, people, and docks when above slow/no-wake speed
- No reckless stunts, wake jumping near obstacles, or dangerous maneuvers
- Follow Josh's guidance — he stays nearby and can redirect you if needed
- Stay in designated ride areas discussed during briefing
- If you fall off, clear the ski, stay visible, and wait for instructions — do not swim into traffic lanes
- Respect commercial and ferry traffic — they have right-of-way; give them wide space
- Return at your scheduled time so the next rider and deposit handoff stay on track
Detroit River Conditions
The river is stunning — and it's a working waterway. A few local tips every rider should know.
Commercial traffic
The Detroit River carries freighters, ferries, and work boats. Stay alert east and west of the downtown stretch — big wakes and long stopping distances.
Wind & chop
Open water toward Belle Isle can get choppy on windy afternoons. Josh adjusts guidance based on conditions — listen if he suggests staying closer to shore.
Skyline stops
Photo stops are part of the ride — slow to idle before pulling out your phone. Better yet, pause in calm water away from traffic lanes.
Ambassador Bridge area
Current and wind shift near the bridge pillars. Maintain steady throttle and avoid cutting tight behind bridge structures.
Seasonal water temps
Peak summer is the most comfortable for splash. Spring and fall rides — bring a layer and plan shorter bursts if you're cold-sensitive.
Not Allowed On the Water
These aren't negotiable — they protect you, other boaters, and your deposit.
- Alcohol or drugs before or during operation
- Operating without a valid certificate when Michigan law requires one
- Riding without a life jacket or with an unfastened jacket
- Reckless riding, racing other boats, or wake jumping near docks and swimmers
- Letting an unqualified or unbriefed person operate the ski
- Ignoring Josh's instructions or leaving the agreed ride area
Security Deposit Explained
$200 at check-in
The security deposit is separate from your online rental payment. It's collected at Riverside Park and refunded after a clean ride.
May be applied if:
- Minor damage to the ski or trailer equipment
- Late return beyond your booked window
- Policy violations that require extra handling or cleanup
Returned on the spot after a standard ride with no damage or violations. Cash or card — same method you used at check-in when possible.
Weather & Rescheduling
Full refund when cancelled 48+ hours before your scheduled ride. Weather reschedules handled personally by Josh — we'll find another time that works.
- →Josh monitors river conditions and will contact you if weather makes riding unsafe.
- →Light rain doesn't always cancel — wind, lightning, and visibility drive the call.
- →If your ride is rescheduled due to weather, Josh works with you personally to find another slot.
- →Full refund when you cancel 48+ hours before your scheduled ride.
- →Same-day questions? Call (313) 900-8085 between 9am and 7pm.
Safety FAQ
Ready to Ride?
Questions before you book? Text or call Josh — he'll walk you through anything on this page.