Those just starting out in watersports need to sort out many differences between the different disciplines. Boat speed, boards, bindings, boots, and more, will vary in seeking the optimal experience. Ropes–often called “Handles”– are part of that process of discovery. 

In this article, you’ll learn the basic differences between a wakeboard rope and a wakesurf rope.

Wakeboard Rope

• Length: Typically 65–75 feet long (sometimes longer).
• Stretch: Usually low-stretch or no-stretch (e.g., Spectra or Dyneema) to give the rider consistent tension for tricks and jumps.
• Handle: Similar to water ski handles, about 13–15 inches wide, with a comfortable grip for two hands.
• Purpose: Designed for riding at higher speeds and performing aerial tricks behind the boat at a distance.

Read Next: How to Buy Wakeboard Bindings

Wakesurf Rope

• Length: Much shorter — typically 20–25 feet.
• Stretch: Often slightly stretchy for smoother pulls.
• Handle: Usually a smaller, padded handle or a thick braided section to prevent injury (e.g., no long handlebar to avoid arm entanglement).
• Purpose: Designed for low-speed riding close to the boat (in the surf wake) — once you’re up and riding, you often toss the rope.

The post Wakeboard Rope Versus Wakesurf Rope appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Follow: What’s it like to officially be part of the Follow family?
Massi: Man I’m stoked! Couldn’t be happier, I believe in the brand and really love the direction that they are going in wakeboarding!

Follow: What do you think about the gear/Follow line?
Massi: What I really like is the way that all the products fit, and honestly it’s the most lit gear out there from any perspective!

Follow: Got any products in the work with Follow?
Massi: Hopefully soon man, that would be unreal! Just stoked to be part of the family and we will go from there!

Follow: Got any big plans for 2017?
Massi: You know, just staying healthy and try to have as much fun as I can and hopefully making some awesome memories.

The post Follow Welcomes Massi Piffaretti to the Team appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

While ropes, gloves and board racks all clearly fall into the realm of water-sports accessories, this category must also include a broader range of goods. Wearables, like sunglasses and footwear, help keep you in the mood, on and off the water, while providing a nonverbal means to inform all you meet about your lifestyle. Boat-maintenance products are essential to keep your ride running right and looking great. Yes, marine and water-sports accessories comprise a big world. We’ve narrowed down the choices to those we believe you should consider essential.

Fuelish Pleasure: Water sports is nowhere without a smooth-running engine. But today’s fuels, especially ethanol-blended gasoline, can challenge even the most fastidious boat owner’s diligence. Choose and use the correct fuel additive for your application.

See the Difference: Boating eyewear is essential for your health and for safe navigation. Look for lenses with high-UV and -IR ratings to ensure that your eyes are protected from the brightness only the waterborne experience. Polarization cuts glare, making easy to see stumps, rocks and other obstructions below the water’s surface — not to mention seeing your rider by the dawn’s early light.

Step It Up: Certainly boating footwear should be selected for a grippy, non-marking sole. It’s also important to make sure your feet and ankles have the right support, since footing can get rocky, even aboard the best-riding boats. And don’t forget quick-drying construction: Look for drain holes and other features that help ensure you won’t squish as you walk.

Shine On: Wax — or a synthetic replicant — is a product that provides the final, gleaming and protective finish to your ride, and it is all a new(ish) boat might need. Polishes are used to restore shine to mildly oxidized boat hulls, and meant to be followed by wax to keep the shine and protect the surface. Compounds are true abrasives for older boats, and should be followed by both a polish and a wax.

Valves: Large-diameter Boston-brand valves are well worth looking for in a towable. Not only do these make inflation secure and easy, but they make deflation easy as well.

The post 2015 Water Sports Gear Guide: Accessories appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

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Liquid Force

Vision rope

($100; liquidforce.com)

What we’re into: The thin, flexible coating, which protects the Dyneema fibers from UV rays and prevents snags and abrasion damage

Straight Line

Team rope

($140 with Sham How handle; slsports.com)

What we’re into: The no-stretch construction and abrasion-resistant coating

Ronix

R8 rope

($110; ronixwake.com)

What we’re into: The new square-shape, urethane-coated cover, which keeps the rope snag- and abrasion-free

Accurate

Jacket line

($105; hyperlite.com)

What we’re into: The closed-cell floating core and super-durable Spectra outer shell

Proline

Vapor mainline

($110; prolineropes.com)

What we’re into: The zero-stretch, extra-strong Dyneema line and knot-eliminating PRT coating

The post Enlightened Lines: 2012 Wakeboard Ropes appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Byerly

Chamois wakeboard handle

($65, $75 with T; byerlywakeboards.com)

What we dig: The extra bit of hold you get from the tacky chamois grip.

Hyperlite

Catalyst Composite wakeboard handle

($120; hyperlite.com)

Hyperlite

Murray Chamois wakeboard handle

($65, $75 with T; hyperlite.com)

What we dig: The durability. Shaun Murray uses his old handles to swing from trees.

Liquid Force

Watson Pro wakeboard handle

($60, $65 with T; liquidforce.com)

What we dig: The plush suede grip, which is backed up with EVA padding.

Proline

LG 3D wakeboard handle

($70; ridecwb.com)

What we dig: The 3D hold created by the synthetic leather grip and molded EVA.

Remote

Skate wakeboard handle

($139.99 with 80-foot mainline; remotewakeskates.com)

Ronix

One wakeboard handle

($90, $100 with T; ronixwake.com)

What we dig: The versatility. Loosen two bolts to switch between four different grips.

Straight Line

Ugly Stick wakeboard handle

($60; slsports.com)

What we dig: Each Ugly Stick is unique.

The post Get A Grip: Wakeboard Handles 2011 appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

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