Handle guards

[lpskier]

@cam What handle were you using, 12” or 13”, coated or uncoated, and if uncoated, normal rope or spectra? Lastly, arm guard or not ( I understand @cam is a “not”)? If anyone else can provide info on other handle related arm or neck injuries, I’m interested in collecting accurate data.

[Deanoski]

 

 

use a plastic Guard live to ski another day

[Deanoski]

 

 

a soft guard may kill you. tested and lived

 

BTW it was never going to happen to me.

 

 

use a plastic guard now.

[Taynton]

@Deanoski could you elaborate a bit on what a soft guard is and what happened to you, honestly I never even knew these guards existed or that there was a risk before reading about it on here, I will be getting one for next season want to make sure I get the right one.

[ScottScott]

@Taynton

 

Deanoski's handle guard thread

 

[lpskier]

@Deanoski Is that the handle you were using when you got hurt?

[Deanoski]

@lpskier yes thats the handle I was using july 20th 1030 am 2020

 

 

 

[Vernon Reeve]

Do wakeboarders need these handle guards? Seems like they have bigger handles and would be even more at risk.

[mmosley899]

@vernonreeve i have handle guards for 14” and larger handles. I can make one that works for most any type handle.

 

@lefty yes, I make them for the Ergo handles.

 

The mob handle guards are hard plastic and relatively stiff.

[6balls]

As we get older we probably get wiser. Guards should be standard equipment on the handles(I wouldn't have said this when younger and dumber). @mmosley899 has a great solution.

 

[MDB1056]

Pulled this from a pic @DangerBoy posted on the best crash pics thread. Look at the proximity of head to handle in this shot. It's a no brainer........

 

[lpskier]

@MDB1056 Notice how the plastic coating on the V ensures that the handle cavity remains open and a target for a body part? I think a spectra line with no plastic coating other than 3" finger guards would more easily allow the handle to fold once you let go and present a smaller target. FYI, a 13" handle makes for an even bigger target.

[dbutcher]

Is it wise or unwise to hang on to the handle during/after a fall until the boat pulls it out of your hand - with or without a handle guard?

[MDB1056]

I believe we all try and toss the handle if you have the opportunity while going down but that millisecond is often unavailable or has passed as fast as stuff happens. I would suggest Plan B if possible is to keep the handle in your hand until down and you can release awayfrom your body

[lpskier]

Notice how Travers holds the handle while he skids on the water in the video Horton posted. Of course I suspect he is hoping for the opportunity to recover.

[igkya]

@dbutcher It is typically better to hold onto the handle and allow the boat to pull it away. Not always possible but better than tossing it which could have some unwanted consequences.

[ScottScott]

When Aiden Willers had his arm through the handle, he said he had thrown the handle away in an attempt to get it away from him. However he had lost track of which way was which and threw it away from the boat and it came back to him and caught his arm. I think best to hold on until the boat pulls it out of your hand.....if you can keep you're witts in the moment.

[DangerBoy]

@MDB1056 In actual fact, the handle is 4 or 5 feet away (closer to the boat) than any part of me is in that picture so it's not as close of a call as it might appear. I'm not sure what caused me to fall like that (bad form on the turn obviously) but I have never had a fall like that before or since that picture was taken 14 or 15 years ago. Just my luck that whomever it was that was taking photos of my run happened to snap the shutter at this very instant just in time to capture such an ignominious (and embarrassing) moment. :#

[mmosley899]

This is why you need a handle guard...

 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=811331596929655

[jriester33]

Finally found a handle-guard that I love y'all, keep your eyes peeled with Mikro-Just, sounds like some really cool stuff coming soon!

 

[Spencer_Shultz]

 

Gone two years next month ? Please use a handle guard.

[Deanoski]

put a guard on it will be two yrs july 18th live to ski an another day