Water Ski Rope

Okay, so I'm not out there carving buoys. I can get up on the first pull every time, and I can cut around (mostly cutting OUT from the wake) and I can just freeski around without falling. I haven't bothered getting a "water ski" specific rope, and I'm not really sure if it's that big of deal for the freeskiing I do.

Is it really something I should consider getting a dedicated water ski rope? Or is the non-stretch wakeboard line fine for my purposes?

http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/...sssmqaztc.jpeg

Trayson, your wake board rope will do just fine. If your just freeskiing and not looking to shorten it, anything will do. If you were comp skiing, then an official rope is in order.


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I skied with a non-stretch wakeboard rope....once. No matter what your skiing skill and style it is nice to have the rope take some of the shock from the upper torso in cuts and anytime you get some slack. Think of it as having a spare rope. It will give you length constancy behind any boat that has a comp rope. Not a priority but nice to have.

I'm with zabooda- with the higher speeds of skiing, and the extra load from pulling you up on a slalom ski vs the wakeboard, I think you'll find the stretch in the ski rope much more enjoyable.
I like to start from the dock on the slalom ski, and I sure as hell wouldn't do that with a static wakeboard line.

I would get at least an 8 section mainline - allows you to tinker with shorter lines just for the fun of it - and you never know when you might have a serious skier drop by for a run?? I would avoid buying too cheap of a rope and would stay away from the 'Gladiator' brand that Overtons sells if you are buying a mainline plus handle.

I ended up picking up this one because I was able to get it on Amazon Prime before my last trip. It was nicer to have some stretch in the rope. I wasn't all that impressed with the narrower handle, but for under $20, it's not like I can complain much.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1n2u1NBxHL.jpg

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Originally Posted by trayson

I wasn't all that impressed with the narrower handle

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When I first learned to wakeboard, I thought "why the hell is this handle so big?". I was taught to hold it more like a baseball bat with one hand "over" and the other "under" but with some space between your hands (1-2"?). I know their are some differences of opinion on this matter but that always felt comfortable and powerful for me. For example: http://www.iwsfranking.com/skierinfo...oxThorpeJG.jpg

Nice shot of Wade... Yes for slalom the baseball grip is almost a requirement. but it varies based on which foot you put forward. For left foot front - use a right handed baseball grip. For right foot front use left handed baseball grip. It makes a difference....

I have to agree in that a decent sectioned rope are worth having.. Most people take the first 15 foot white section off and now ski 15 off no mater what.. Less slack , still plenty long etc still at a safe point of wake.. Now with a sectioned rope if you are so inclined or have a harder skier around then shortening can and likely will happen. Having the rope stretch a little can be a game changer, or saver at times.. A decent handle can be different widths and diameters.. I have large hands, long fingers so I bought a larger diameter handle section , but for basic free skiing not likely needed.. All up to you, like a lot of things ,you get what you pay for.

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Originally Posted by BensonWdby

for slalom the baseball grip is almost a requirement. but it varies based on which foot you put forward. For left foot front - use a right handed baseball grip. For right foot front use left handed baseball grip. It makes a difference....

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I think I have been doing this backward my whole life. Wonder if that's why I never improved.

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Originally Posted by kaneboats

I think I have been doing this backward my whole life. Wonder if that's why I never improved.

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I skied 'wrong' for decades. Then while studying photos of the pros I noticed the grip/foot relationship. It was pretty consistent. So I forced the change - it actually messed with my head for a while. But my theory is that sometimes to get out of a bad pattern a small change is needed. So I stuck with it. I switched about the same time I started getting regular coaching - so hard to say what the actual impact is. but I am skiing a lot better than I was 6 years ago..

I've been slalom skiing for 40 yrs and have never heard that a "left or right handed grip" is dependent on which foot you put forward. I think it is what ever you are comfortable with. I could be wrong, but I can't see how it would make any difference other than psychological. Just my 2 cents.

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Originally Posted by 996scott

I've been slalom skiing for 40 yrs and have never heard that a "left or right handed grip" is dependent on which foot you put forward. I think it is what ever you are comfortable with. I could be wrong, but I can't see how it would make any difference other than psychological. Just my 2 cents.

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Not a rule, but

http://www.waterskimag.com/how-to/20...m-essentials-2

Well you learn something new every day. I have honestly never heard that before but i guess it makes sense. Looks like after 40 years i may need to try something new. My guess is it is going to feel really strange at first. Thanks for the info.

Definitely takes some getting used to. But I have found that a forced change can sometimes trigger a new learning phase. Good luck.