Definition: A shock tube is a towrope accessory designed to slow down handles and ropes that may slingshot or bounce back into the boat during deepwater starts or crashes.
Typically shock tubes come in two or four feet lengths. They are padded and slide around the end of the rope attached to the boat. When the ropes snaps following a fall or crash the shock tube minimizes vibration and prevents the rope from snapping back into the boat.
Pronunciation: 'shäk-tüb
Common Misspellings: Shock Toob
Examples: The tension on the towrope was so tight when the water-skier let go of the rope that the handle popped back towards the boat. Thankfully, there was a shock tube around the rope and the handle didn't land in the boat and injure anyone.