Hyperlite Saved my Arm!

[swc5150]

Guys

This is the exact reason I have just purchased a ski handle guard from Fluid motion..............check it out......mine is for slalom

www. jagersport.com

Kudos for posting this! Handle guards will not only save your limbs, but they can also prevent your head from getting caught during an out-the-front, saving you from instant death. ALL slalom guys need these, and it sounds like a good idea for the boarders too.

[High altitude]

Had a guy in my boat yesterday that told me about a crazy story along these same lines. He was driving a guy who was skiing at 36 MPH at medium shortline (28 off). The person, who is 230 lbs, ended up wiping out right at the point of max pull (directly behind boat). The rope handle shot forward and flew over the top of his hand and the throttle. When the rest of the rope was pulled back from the water pressure.... the boat went from 36 to full reverse in about 1 second. Almost threw the 2 passengers and himself out the front. Transmission took a major beating but amazingly still works.

I presume this is another case where a handle guard would have saved the day. It's on my list for purchase this summer.

[TX-Foilhead]

That's what shock tubes are for, not handle covers or releases.

Foilers use releases for 2 reasons. First the lack of drag keeps the rope around you so it's much easier to get wrapped up in it. It doesn't take long but it's a reall good idea to learn to throw the handle away when your done instead of dropping it. Second, like Chexi said it saves equipment which is fairly easy to catch the rope on. At $600 to $800 for a wing the Comptech or any other release can pay for itself in one use.

Finnaly, for anyone using a release, make sure your rope and handle float. It's a bad feeling the have the release work and then have to watch $200 worth of gear sink.

[NautiqueJeff]

I realllllly want one of those Comptech releases now. Been thinking about them all day. I have a handle guard on order too.

The arm is feeling quite a bit better. Looks terrible, but feels better. I was out on the Hyperlite G23 yesterday, and people kept asking me if they could take pictures of my arm!

[s_kelley2000]

Thanks Chexi and TX-foilhead that makes a lot more sense to me now.

Jeff glad to hear you are healing quickly.

[GoBig]

That Comptech release looks pretty good. For those that have used it or seen it, is there a risk of passengers or the boat getting hit by the metal loop when it disengages from the tower? Not sure I would trust that it would clear the stern without nailing somebody or something.

[TX-Foilhead]

Nope, the boats moving away from the rider and there's a lot of force on it to open the release so it goes out very quick and has very little time to drop any.

[swc5150]

That's what shock tubes are for, not handle covers or releases.

Just referring to slalom, a shock tube will not save the skier during an OTF. Thankfully I'll never know for sure, but I believe a handle guard saved my life last summer. Went right out the front at 1 ball -32, and my forehead banked off the guard. Without it there, I'm certain my head would've gone right through. It was a very eye opening and frightening experience.

[bsb4fsu]

I like the idea of the comptech release. We are constantly changing the rope length depending on the rider. I'm curious how difficult it will be to use without constantly removing the extra rope sections.

[TX-Foilhead]

They sell extra a connections for the release, I also see a few friends add a very short leader and a carabiner to attach other people's ropes quickly. You put that in a foam koozie so you have a float and protection for the tower.

[bsb4fsu]

They sell extra a connections for the release, I also see a few friends add a very short leader and a carabiner to attach other people's ropes quickly. You put that in a foam koozie so you have a float and protection for the tower.

Thanks. That sounds like that would work with the carabiner.

[swankster]

Just referring to slalom, a shock tube will not save the skier during an OTF. Thankfully I'll never know for sure, but I believe a handle guard saved my life last summer. Went right out the front at 1 ball -32, and my forehead banked off the guard. Without it there, I'm certain my head would've gone right through. It was a very eye opening and frightening experience.

Wow after 25 years on the water this is the first time I have heard of a handle guard. That's what I like about this forum; thanks SWC. In seconds on the web and I understand and am now going to get one. Where have I been or not been.

[NautiqueJeff]

I hadn't heard of them before this incident either. Mine should be here soon!

[TX-Foilhead]

O

Thanks. That sounds like that would work with the carabiner.

Works well if you change rope length or have a bunch of diferent people on the the boat who don't have Comptech's. The nipples on each rope are more convenient if you ride with the same crew most times. I don't have a swivel on my tower so I use seperate Bullet releases on each rope.

[NautiqueJeff]

Does anyone here have contact information for a marketing person at Comptech/SkySki?