Ski Rope and Handles

[mkuehnl]

I am getting back into skiing after a long hiatus and noticed a tremendous leap in ski rope technology and prices. Can anyone give me the scoop on what is the best value for an intermediate skier. Also, do the slalom Trainers (the rope with the ski stradle to keep the ski straight) really work?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Josh Hill]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

For about 40$ you should be able to get a quality intermediate 75' ski rope w/handle. The color coded ropes are nice if you are going to be switching from knee board to slalom to wake board. The split rope works well to keep the ski straight in the water on takeoff, it bothers some once you get on top and try to lay the ski over because the tip of the ski can get caught in the split rope if you cut that hard causing a nasty fall. Split rope works better than the OLD style seperate handles, though. If you take care of the towrope (get it out from under the boat seats in winter), it sould last a couple of years. Have Fun!

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

Mkuehnl,<br /><br />My recommendation: Do NOT skimp on the rope - its crucial to have one that isn't too stretchy, etc... Order an 8-section Straightline rope with a Radius handle... <br /><br />As far as the Deep-V handle... I taught many people to slalom with them, but as soon as they got the hand of it, I weened them off it as fast as I could. Why? Because it's stretchy and when you get better, it will sling shot you through the wake. Combine the Deep-V with a wide body ski like Connelly's Big Easy, or HO's Radius makes getting up slalom a snap...<br /><br />I would recommend Actrive Water Sports in Portland, OR. Talk to Jeff the store manager, he's a nice guy. I order ½ a dozen Straightline handles a year from him, and they don't screw you on shipping like Overtons, Ski Limited, etc. I guarantee you they will beat the $80 Overton's price on the handle I mentioned (the 8-section Straightline rope with a Radius handle).<br /><br />You may notice on the website there is an eliptical handle - the difference between that and a radius, is that with the eliptical the metal is egg shaped (as opposed to round)...<br /><br />Call Jeff at 1-800-832-SKIS, ask for Jeff, Tell him Mark in Texas (the guy that orders all the handles from him every year) sent you. They also have a website: http://www.aws-online.com/ <br /><br />I also recommend the kevlar under-wear glove liners sold at AWS - even though it doesn't me any blisters/callouses, I use them anyways because it definitely reduces pain.<br /><br />Good Luck, and let me know how it works out.

 

[mkuehnl]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

Gentlemen:<br /><br />Thanks for the update on ropes and handles. Txrvrrat, I will definately contact your guy and let him know you sent me to him...<br /><br />Regards

 

[ajp]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

Forget the skiing. Get a wakeboard. I skiied for 30+ years(I am 43) until 2 years ago and I discovered the wakeboard. Haven't ski'ed since. Too boring, and deep water slalom pulling is very difficult to learn. I can do it, but none of my kids or nephews were interested in learning. Boy do they like wakeboarding, its cool. Last year my 7 and 8 year old daughters got up on our wakeboard. Took 2 tries, and off they went, and they had never even tried to traditional water ski. My 8 year old daughter wouldn't even tube, but she sure can wakeboard.<br /><br />Wakeboarding is a much slower pull, easier to learn, and loads more fun. Ask the kids. <br /><br />I talked to my boat dealer last week and he told me he is selling 10 wakeboards for every pair of ski's. The ski industry is dying.<br /><br />Check out www.wakeworld.com or many other sites. <br /><br />www.wakeboarder.com <br /><br />For tricks, how too's. <br /><br />Get the video "Detention 1" by Shaun Murray, or "WakeBoarding 101" by Troy Navarro, for great starter videos. <br /><br />I should be an industry spokesman and get paid.

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

Boring? I've been skiing slalom for about 6 years and never have I been bored... <br /><br />However you are right about it being a dying sport unfortunately... <br /><br />I just wish the wakeboarders at my lake would learn boating/skiing etiquette...

 

[ajp]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

Try wakeboarding and see if it takes more than one ride for you to call Slalom skiing boring. I was there. I have slalomed since I was 12(30 years). Once I tasted the waters of wakeboarding, I was hooked. <br /><br />The wakeboarders are at heart basically show offs. Jumps, spins, inverts. Loads of fun, unlimited learning of tricks. Skiing, well basically I go left, then right, then back left, and stay up till I have had enough and I let go. <br /><br />The wakeboarders have to have more etiquette than the PWC riders. They are both rude and dangerous.

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

I'm not saying WB is boring, I think they both have their audience. when I went to see a tournament in shreveport last year, we left just as the wakeboarding was starting. <br /><br />seriously though, i can actually enjoy WATCHING wakeboarding, so long as the rider is awesome at it. <br /><br />As far as etiquette, you are probably the exception to the rule, since you are a cross-over from the slalom world. they never respect the water or other skiiers here, alot of times worse than the waverunners...<br /><br />here in texas, the wakeboarders have HUGE speakers attached to their towers and i am not kidding you. last week we heard their stereo coming from the dam, and we were WAY across the lake!

 

[skier]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

Well, if the waterski sport is truly dying, then the skis should be comming down in price. As far as wakeboarding, I was riding my hydroslide standing up long before wakeboards came out and I like skiing better. Most of the punk wakeboarders are also the punk snowboarders that have no etiquette what so ever. Anyone that can't figure out that the waist of his/her pants/shorts belong on his/her waist not below his/her ass is not really inteligent.<br /><br />But, that just my opinion<br /><br />Craig

 

[ThatHadToHurt]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

1. Any straightline or masterline setup is good. 5 or 8 section mainline.<br /><br />2. I am a slalom skier and have seriously thought of switching to wakeboarding for a while now. Both are fun, but like said above...skiing is just back and forth while the wakeboarding possibilities are endless. Skiing is definitely more physically demanding. On the lake we play on the wakeboarders are quite nice and few, the PWCers are the opposite. My brother and I are only two of the three on the lake that kneeboard. Kind of unique I guess, can still throw tricks but a little harder on the body, but hell we are 19 and 21 Can't wait to get back in full swing.

 

[ajp]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

I do whole hardedly agree with the TXRiverRat regarding the boom boxes. They can leave the stereos at home. Lets enjoy the lake.

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

What's wrong with someone enjoying thier music while they're on the water. As long as the lyrics aren't offending anyone I don't see the problem. <br /><br />To me a day at the lake is a little bit like a party. I haven't been to many parties w/o music playing.<br /><br />Oops, guess I dug this one up from the dead -- Oh well!

 

[sergioy]

Re: Ski Rope and Handles

Playing music on the lake is cool, but when the music is so loud that I can hear it punding from about a half mile away!! Anyway, I am not going to rag on loud music. I was once a punk that loved loud music too. I can't wait to try wakeboarding myself.