Safety Corner

 

A wakeboard rope is one of the most essential pieces of equipment a wakeboarder owns, but it can also be one of the most dangerous ones.

Here are a few tips on remaining injury free from ropes.

If you are in the water and the boat has returned the rope to you, face the boat and keep the rope in front of you letting it slide through your hands.

Don’t let it get behind your neck or wrapped around body or legs. Keep good communication with the driver and make sure the driver stops until you can untangle yourself.

Don’t grab the rope while someone is riding or try to bring the rope in the boat while the boat is at speed. Wait until the boat has stopped or is idling before touching the rope. John Lindsey with Mission 2 Ride lost the tip of a finger from pulling the rope while someone was riding.

Don’t hold on to the excess rope hanging from the tower. Instead, completely secure it back to the tower so there is no loop hanging down. Someone can catch their neck and choke if there is excess loop.

During tournaments you will notice that I don’t tie the excess to the tower. This is because I am in control of the rope at all times and it allows me to be quick at exchanging ropes from rider to rider. I see so many riders put their arm through the handle to rest while riding. This should never be done as you can break your arm or have it completely pulled off if you get your arm stuck in the handle during a fall.

Use the appropriate rope for your sport and replace it every 2 years or so. Time, usage, and weather can deteriorated the rope, causing it to snap while in use and fly into the boat, severely injuring someone. Using non-stretch rope reduces the recoil but does not completely eliminate it.

Getting the rope caught around the prop or rudder happens to every boat owner at least once in their lifetime! When this happens, untie the rope from the tower and try to pull the end of the rope through. Sometimes it will pull off but if not, get a tow and take the boat out of the water so you can see where it is stuck. A sharp knife to cut the rope should be an essential item you should always keep in the boat. Finally, always know where your rope is. It is an essential but potentially hazardous piece of equipment. But used properly and carefully, it will serve you well.