Wakeboarding Rope

The correct wakeboard tow-rope is crucial to your performance and enjoyment of the sport. It is important to research the ropes in order to get one to suit the experience and capability of the board-rider.

STRETCH

Most wakeboarders choose a rope that is non-stretch or low-stretch, as the stiffness in the rope will give the rider better control and this is essential for performing tricks. Elastic rope tends to spring back when the rider is in the air and this will reduce the potential height of a jump. Waterskiing rope, on the other hand, is stretchy, in order to allow the skier more room to manoeuvre around a slalom course. It is therefore important that you don’t use waterskiing rope as a tow-rope.

LENGTH

As well as considering the stretch-factor of the tow-rope, you should also think about length before a wakeboarding session. Whilst most wakeboard ropes are purchased at around 60-70 feet long, beginners will probably find that they need a rope that is around 45-50 feet in length. A shorter length of rope should place the rider nearest the narrowest section of the wake. The narrowest wake sections are found nearest to the back of the boat and the wake sections get further apart as they move out from the boat. It is obviously more difficult to clear wake sections that are far apart so beginners and novices may want to stick to shorter ropes in order to practise their jumps.

Some novices may, however, find that they have difficulties riding the choppy waves that form near the back of the boat and so they may prefer to try a longer rope – perhaps around 50-55 feet long. Riders who increase their skills will also probably prefer a longer rope as it enables them to catch more air. Big air is often needed to perform tricks.

The length of the rope required will also be dependent on the speed of the boat. The faster the boat, the longer the length of rope needed. Increasing boat-speed or shortening rope-length will be helpful if you find that you are riding in a great deal of choppy wash.

To get the length of rope required, most tow-ropes come with tie-offs already set in the rope at regular intervals. These are simple to use and only really require riders to make slip-knot loops in the rope at the necessary length tie-off.

HANDLES

The handles of wakeboarding tow-ropes are 13-15 inches wide, as opposed to the 11-12 inch water-ski rope handle, and these wider handles make it easier to perform tricks that require a manoeuvre where the handle is passed behind the back. Most handle-grips nowadays are more comfortable than their more elderly counterparts as the grip-materials have improved. Some ropes include a second grip handle in order to make certain tricks such as spin or wrap tricks easier.

ROPE-CARE

Taking care of a tow-rope is important in order to prolong its life. Winding it correctly ensures that it can be stored neatly and flat, which should help to prevent fraying and weakening. The process of correct rope-winding is usually to take the rope about two feet from its end, then to extend the arms to their full stretch, grab the rope there and bring the hands back together to make a loop. This process is repeated until the rope is wound. Then place the loop of rope halfway through the handle and then pass the handle back through the rope to tie it off.

It is also important not to run over the tow-rope with the boat. Wakeboarding boat-drivers should stay alert in order to keep track of the turns they have made with the boat and to consider the direction they will take next. This will both prolong the time spent on the water and the rope-life by ensuring that the rope does not get tangled in the propeller.