Wakeboard Handle
Just like you couldn’t drive your car without the steering wheel, you can’t ride your board without a wakeboard handle. However, the decision to purchase a wakeboard handle doesn’t stop at mere necessity. Your ability to perform the maneuvers you wish will be dependent on choosing a long-lasting and high quality wakeboard handle. Your ability to learn new tricks, achieve the correct amount of pop, and change position quickly will all be dependent on having a reliable wakeboard handle that can withstand the elements and allow you to move with ease. • What’s Special About a Wakeboard Handle? Unlike water skiing handles a wakeboard handle tends to be larger and more versatile. A wakeboard handle are usually 15-17 inches wide, and are offered in a variety of grips. One special consideration that every wakeboard handle should offer is a neoprene foam float device to prevent sinking. To ensure durability you want your wakeboard handle to comprise the same high tensile, element resistant material as your wakeboard rope. Your wakeboard handle and rope will function as a team to provide you with the best pop and maneuverability possible. For this reason a wakeboard handle will often come with a special second grip specifically for wrapped moves. While a basic wakeboard handle will be triangular in shape, a wakeboard handle intended for those wrapped moves will have a different look and offer you significantly more flexibility. • Getting a Grip on Your Wakeboard Handle Every wake-boarder has a personal preference for the grip of the wakeboard handle. Options in the wakeboard handle includes material choices like leather, carbon, and rubber as well as texture variations from smooth to chunky. Your decision in a wakeboard handle will depend on a number of factors: How experienced a rider are you? What tricks are you trying to learn or do you perform regularly? How often do you board? You will want to watch other riders and ask them what wakeboard handle they like best. While your choice of wakeboard handle is ultimately based on your unique needs, asking those you aspire to emulate can’t hurt. If you prefer a smaller grip wakeboard handle, some boarders use a mini- grip and claim it is more comfortable on their hands. Just remember, the reason for the larger size of a wakeboard handle is to allow better movement. Lightweight fans might prefer a carbon wakeboard handle. While there are personal differences you do want to ensure that the basic materials used in your wakeboard handle are the best quality out there. • Quality Materials to Look for in a Wakeboard Handle As previously mentioned, you want to make sure that the wakeboard rope used in with your wakeboard handle is of high tensile strength, durable, light-weight and resilient. Spectra rope and Dyneema rope are the industry standards when looking for a wakeboard handle or rope. Both fibers are stronger than steel and lighter in weight, both qualities needed in a wakeboard handle or rope. While you may be looking at the outside of your wakeboard handle when considering your purchase don’t forget what is on the inside! Your search for a great wakeboard handle will introduce you to numerous shapes, styles, materials and fibers. The wakeboard handle you choose will impact your ability to spin, pop, and cut into waves with best of them. |
