Choosing the correct waterski rope can help you advance in your skills, especially if you'll be doing slalom waterskiing. Unlike wakeboarders, water-skiers need a rope with stretch. Consider these points before purchasing a rope for waterskiing.
Rope Material
A good waterski rope should be made out of a slightly elastic material. This provides the skier the flexibility they need when changing speeds and making turns, particularly when slalom waterskiing on a course. The stretch in the rope aids in absorbing shock when the skier crosses the boat wake. The most common material for this type of rope is polypropylene which will typically stretch between two and three percent of its length. A breaking strength in excess of 800 pounds is suggested.
Rope Length
Waterskiing rope standard length is 70 feet. If you include the handle it will be 75 feet. Ropes made for slalom waterskiing will have 10 take-off sections coded by different colors. This allows for rope shortening at the attachment loops when taking off length to make slalom waterskiing more challenging. The closer the skier is to the boat the more difficult it is to round the course buoys.
Handles
Handles made for high performance are typically a rubber mold around an aluminum bar. They are usually stronger and lighter than those ropes made for simply recreational purposes. Recreational water ski handles are made of injection molded rubber. They typically float because the mold allows no water inside the handle. Higher performance handles are hallow, therefore they allow water inside and they often will sink.