| Although it may seem like any water skier's rope | | | | is less dense than water. |
| would suit wakeboarding that would be a rookie's | | | | When selecting a wakeboard rope, hands down |
| mistake. When comparing a water-skiing rope | | | | spectra would be the pick of the bunch would have |
| (polypropylene) to a non- stretch spectra or low | | | | to be spectra as it far outweighs the other two in |
| stretch polyethylene wakeboarding rope the big | | | | tensile strength and weight. Many now come with a |
| difference is exactly that. Non-stretch spectra rope | | | | thermal coating to resisted kinks and twists and also |
| does not stretch (only 0.5% under normal load) and | | | | a PVC coating for extra durability and all generally |
| polyethylene has only a low amount (about 1%). | | | | have adjustable lengths so you can ride at the length |
| Water skier's need that elastic band effect for their | | | | that suits your riding speed/wake size. This is the |
| salome runs however we as wakeboarders do not | | | | type of rope the pro's use and there is a reason for |
| want this. Reason being that once in the air, the | | | | it. However like anything that is the best on the |
| elasticity in the rope can pull you off your axis | | | | market, it generally costs more. A good spectra rope |
| (balance). (If you are unsure on what 'your axis' is, it's | | | | can be usually be picked up for under $150 depending |
| your body position whilst it the air). This makes | | | | on the brand and quality compared to a poly-e that |
| performing tricks and landing them extremely difficult. | | | | retails for about half that. Get what suits your |
| Using a polypropylene rope also negates riding with a | | | | budget however as your wakeboarding progresses |
| progressive edge (An edge that gets harder as you | | | | you will eventually want to use a spectra rope. So |
| approach the wake), which again limits your | | | | bottom line if you can afford it, get it. |
| progression and learning curve as a wakeboarder. We | | | | Selecting a handle comes down to personal |
| need a predictable line that can be loaded (put | | | | preference again as there are many types and feels |
| tension on) without stretch and is why we use | | | | of grip on the market, however look for one that |
| spectra or poly-e. An easy way to compare the two | | | | has a wide handle between 13-15 inches (to make |
| from poly-p is first the physical size. As spectra is | | | | those handle passes behind the back easier ), has a |
| much stronger than polypropylene, it has a much | | | | nice grip that is comfortable to hold and wont slip out |
| smaller/thinner physical diameter because the tensile | | | | of wet hands easily. |
| strength is higher. This is will be the dead giveaway | | | | At the end of the day for such a simple piece of |
| to distinguish spectra. However poly-e is about the | | | | equipment, the wakeboard rope and handle is one of |
| same size in diameter so the only real practical way | | | | the most important gear apparel that you will own. |
| to determine (other than testing the two out whilst | | | | So make sure your first choice is a good one, |
| riding) is to see if the rope floats well. Poly-e does | | | | otherwise wakeboarding can be a very frustrating |
| not float that well in water compared to poly-p which | | | | sport. |