rope snap back=ER trip

jimsport93 wrote: Jeff, you are supposed to snag that handle with your teeth and never spill a drop of beer

Yep Jim zigged when I shoulda zagged, but still have my pearly whites.

Nice ride later that day in your beautiful 93. Great shot here of you and your bride, PM me your email and I'll send to you, photos looks even better in real scale.

That's the scariest handle pop story I've heard.
YES, shock tubes work. Using them with short line skiing is a must. They work to cut down on the recoil of the handle by dampening the rubber band effect. Preventing the line itself from springing forward is another benefit.
As others have said, a true wakeboard line will not recoil like that. It is also much better to board without a stretchy line as it is a consistent pull. I would also try to buy equipment like that from real watersports stores like Wiley's, H2Osmosis, N3 Boatworks etc. so you get the real thing. With most of these there are also very knowledgeable people to talk with.
Years ago I lost the handle in a hard pull on a wake cross slalom skiing. The handle flew past the boat on the drivers side and the rope recoiled off the pylon and in front of my girlfriend who was driving. When the handle hit the water with the boat still moving the rope cut across her neck. It scared the s#@t out of both of us. She had a terrible rope burn that for weeks like someone tried to strangle her. We got a lot of strange looks and I'm still not sure her co-workers believe what really happened.
Moral of the story...use a shock tube.

skirunt wrote: Thanks for the kind words. I am sure I am not the only one when buying a wakeboard rope, if it says wakeboard rope, then you think it is a wake board rope.(d*cks Sporting Goods) I grew up water skiing, when we had kids we got away from the water. Thirteen years passed by quickly, a lot has changed. Back then a rope was a rope as long as it was thin. The education on ropes has been very helpful and hopefully helpful to others. Heather's appointment went well though they do not understand her hearing loss. Off to the neurologist for further testing if it doesn't return with in a week. Marty Mabe ,I will be in touch. Thanks for the offer!

Hey man i was talking with my wife yesterday about your wife's hearing loss. She is a DR of Audiology and she wanted me to tell you to have her hearing tested by an audiologist. It may be something they could fix if caught soon enough. We are in Winston Salem and would be glad to help out in anyway we can. Baptist has an excellent speech and hearing center.

Take care!

Man.... we've been lucky. IHad handles fly into boat....try and use shocktube with all shortline skiers but pulling big guys out on slalom skis that ride the tail deep are equally as dangerous.

One of the guys across the lake goes 210+, competes regularly, and gets into 32 off and beyond every morning, 34 mph. And he hangs on too long. He's not allowed in the boat without a shock tube. Speedy recovery to the Mrs.