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Ropes

There are four main classifications of ropes: ski ropes, wakeboard ropes, barefoot ropes, and tube ropes.

Ski ropes are made to stretch and usually come in multiple removable sections, which allows the rope to be shorened in length for someone who is running a slalom course.  The ropes are made to stretch because skiers want to be able to pull on the rope and have it have a little give so they can get that extra stretch around the buoys.  There are also several classes of ski ropes - some are just recreational and others are made as tournament class ropes.  The standard length for a ski rops is 75'.

Wakeboard ropes are made to have little to no stretch and they usually come with three or four removable sections.  Unlike skiers, wakeboarders want a rope that does not have any stretch in it.  The reason for this is that when a wakeboarder is in the air, a rope with no stretch will allow them to stay equal distance from the boat.  Some wakeboard ropes have more stretch than others.  Wakeboard ropes range in length from 60' to 70'.

There is not a specific rope classified for kneeboards.  A kneeboarder's ideal rope is one that doesn't have as much stretch as a ski rope, but has more than a wakeboard rope.  Kneeboarders can use any ski or wakeboard rope.

Also, just like kneeboarders, skiers and wakeboarders can use any rope.  The thing to keep in mind is that even though a skier can use any rope, most are going to want a classified ski rope.  Someone who has a high-end ski should purchase a rope classified for skiing, and the same applies to wakeboarders.

Barefoot ropes are similar to wakeboard ropes in that they have little to no stretch.  These usually come with three removable sections.

Tube ropes come in different classifications.  Some are made for smaller to intermediate size tubes and have breaking points around 2,000 lbs.  Others are made for larger tubes and have breaking points around 4,000 lbs.

All ropes come with loops on both ends, which allow the handles to be removed and the ropes to be attached to the boat easily.


Handles

Handles are made for skiing, wakeboarding and barefoot skiing.  Each of these come in different styles, and some are sold with ropes whereas others are sold individually.  All of them do come with at least a 5' lead already attached.

There are several different options for skiing handles.  You have the standard straight handle, trick harness handle, trainer handle, double handle, radius handle, tractor radius handle, and an elliptical handle.  The standard straight handle is just that, a straight handle, and it normally has a 12" grip.  The trick harness handle is made specifically for trick skiing.  It has a place for the skier to hold the rope with his/her foot, and it also comes in different sizes depending on the preference of the skier.  The trainer handle is made to make it easier on a skier to learn how to slalom.  It has a V-shaped section attached to the handleto allow the skier to place his/her slalom ski inside of it, and it comes with a 13" grip.  The double handle has two handle and a 6" grip a piece.  The radius handle is an angled handle that allows for the skier's wrist to be held in a more natural position than the straight handle, which gives the skier more comfort.  The tractor radius handle is the same as the radius handle; it just has a grooved grip for better handling.  The elliptical handle is a straight handle in an oval shape instead of a round shape - this allows the handle to fit better into the hand.

Most wakeboard handles are the same.  Some of them have different grips and some have double handles.  They come with smooth grips and ribbed grips.  Most of them measure 15" in length.  Also, some come with a second handle a few inches lower than the main one which is used for the rider to be able to wrap the rope around their back, making it easier to do tricks.  These handles come in various styles, like a thickened rope or a smaller handle.

Barefoot handles are similar to wakeboard handles.  Some of the double handles are set up so they can be used by the barefooter's feet whereas others can be used by the hands.