Wakesurf rope

[Port0222]

Hey guys --

I have finally put enough pieces together to give surfing a try. I have ballast and a board. The only other necessity is a rope -- Any advice from the surfers? T handle? Triangle? Knotted Rope? Thick with pads?

It seems to be the only thing I will have to buy new and pay retail for, so mine as well get one that others recommend.

Thanks,

Cameron

 

[Scuba_ref]

I have 2 ropes. A thick knotted one with a T handle and a thinner one with a triangle handle. The thinner rope does have a thicker end with knots. I prefer the triangle handle for deep water starts. I prefer the thicker rope for swim platform starts. I never hold the T handle for deep water starts...I will hold the knots.

I think generally speaking - thicker with knots is better and the handle is really only a consideration for kids without the hand size or strength to get up by just holding the rope.

 

[Port0222]

I think generally speaking - thicker with knots is better and the handle is really only a consideration for kids

Is there any reason I cannot use a dock line and put knots in it?

 

[Scuba_ref]

No reason...the thick surf specific ropes are 3 or 4 times as thick as a dock line. When we starred we used a shortened ski rope and handle.

 

[RightStuff]

I have these and prefer the one without the handle (first link), but mostly for the length, both work great. Having a handle ('T' or triangle) of some sort makes it easier for starting from the water.

http://a.co/3nResAT
https://www.evo.com/wakeboard-handles-and-ropes/ronix-10-surf-handle-25-ft-bungee-rope

I would recommend getting a rope made for surfing, it'll be easier on your hands than something like a dock line. I have heard of people making their own if you want to go that route, but it usually involved a few lines braided/knotted together to make the rope thicker and easier to hold.

 

[haknslash]

I would not use a dock line....OUCH!

You want a thick braided rope made for surfing as its more forgiving on your hands and gives better grip.

I use this one http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...MI7LqLpZSO1QIVijyBCh0Qbgx_EAQYASABEgIgl_D_BwE

@Bill D has a similar rope but it has these very soft and nice feeling pads on them that remind me a green pea pods lol. They work great. I think his are made by Straight Line and called the Hydra-Tak 10" http://www.slsports.com/wake-surf.html

 

[Port0222]

Thank you for all of the advice guys -- no local stores carry any wakesurf ropes. So I did end up making one from 5/8" polypro that floats (100ft for $24) and tied knots. It worked incredibly well, but I may still end up buying a recommendation from above. I will give it another shot later this week with my home made rope and see if it still works.

On a different note -- surfing is awesome! I spent my morning wakeboarding and after catching a few edges -- I called it a day, bruised and beaten. So I rallied the troops (who were all skeptical) and said we are doing this! I had 800 lbs on the swim deck, a home made rope and a hyperlite landlocked (I am a big guy, 6'5" -- so I found the biggest board I could on Craigslist, for little $)

WOW, just Wow. Surfing is WAY BETTER than wakeboarding. It is effortless to get up, and even a bad fall is like sinking into a heaven of pillows. We all got up on the first try and started to feel out the wave and the board. It is clear that I need more weight and I am going to have to clean up that wash-- and to tell this guy in the picture to get on the other side of the boat, but it is amazing. I am going to struggle to ever lace up a wakeboard again. Why did I wait so long to try this.