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Rope Release - Is there a right way and a wong way?
I was going to make a rope release from a piece of old slalom rope and am not sure it that is right.
Is that what the kids are doing these days?
Is that what the kids are doing these days?
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1
Comments
I see people using both these days. Depends on your preference. Rope=no mechanical parts to fail, just need a pinner who can hold your weight..
Wait you are going to do toes? Take video!
Don't loop the rope around the pylon like a slalom rope but instead pass the tail end thru the loop (creates a new loop) and the over the pylon. Thread the release rope thru the end of the trick ski rope and wrap the loose end around the pylon once only. It's super critical I make sure the ski rope loop doesn't get on the pylon side I any knots in the release rope (specifically the knot which holds the loop together). If its on the wrong side of that knot tbe rope is bound to hang up rather than slide off cleanly.
Trust your release person when using a rope release.
AWSA Vice President
Eric
Always keep it short enough to not hit the driver.
a smoother release and no line-on-line wearing. Note: there are plastic (nylon) rope
thimbles. Probably don't want to use metal thimbles, out of concern with dinging stuff
on the boat.
...
C....
A rope trick release mechanism up to 60cm (24”) may be used
24" seems a tad short. Where is that 24" measured? from the pylon to the loose end? the total rope length when not on the pylon? from the pylon to where it meets the tow line loop?
In practice, the longer rope is a bit more comfortable. It might be slightly more dangerous (more rope to slide out) but if you are doing it right the rope release is fairly safe.
For really little kids, I'm coming to like the rope release better than the Robbins. I hold the rope with no wraps on the pylon and it lets go with very light loads. I have to swing the arm of the Robbins to get the same low load.
For me, I want the Robbins. I pull so hard and so erratically that I need a wrap on the pylon and an operator holding tight. I've gotten much less smooth releases from the rope release than the Robbins. I don't notice the jerk it takes to trip the Robbins.
@osuskiiershea Maybe you can get the team to get a Robbins (with the handle @osuskiiershea I'm assuming you are in college). Borrow a rope release at a tournament and copy it as a backup.
Eric
Realistically, I'll probably end up using the Robbins release in tournaments because I am more likely to find the human component that is familiar with the Robbins onsite (I don't pack the human component) , however...
The length rule is unclear to me. It is also slightly inaccurate - 60cm does not equal 24 inches. If the rule is in the book, it ought to be described as accurately as the rules for slalom rope dimensions so that if an official decides to measure, there is no room for argument. There may be a short one handy, but what if someone decides to measure your rope after your run?
I am interested to know why you would prefer rope over the Robbins.
I am willing to use whatever release I feel comfortable having someone use on me and they are comfortable using ... I am no longer considering a split pin as an option. I'm sure I could get Dave Robbins to release for me with his release if we weren't in the same division.
My comfort level is currently higher with the rope release based on my prior experience with the Robbins and my weight. I'm a little guy - not a giant like Dave Robbins. This plays into @eleeski 's notion of great for little kids, but not as great for himself. I'm like an old(er) little kid. I could not imagine using a rope release for Dave Robbins... especially a 24" one with limited ability to wrap it around the pylon to get him out of the water!
Loop the release rope on the pylon. Put the release rope end through the trick rope end loop and pull it about 6" away from the pylon. Wrap the release rope around the pylon a couple times to get the skier up. Before toes, unwrap the rope! For light skiers, I hold the rope pinned against the pylon with one hand and hold the rest of the rope so it won't hang up on anything on the way out. For heavier skiers, I wrap the release rope 1/4 turn (1/2 turn for a big skier doing big tricks) and clamp it with my hand. Again hold the other end to assure it has a straight exit path.
I find the hand clamping the rope against the pylon is much quicker and safer than hanging on to the rope. It also is a more positive connection with no movement. Wraps on the pylon give a slow inconsistent release and a painful drag even with a timely release. I will wrap it for hands as a backup but if it's critical (some hands need a release) I'll clamp it. A bit hard on the release person's hands - the Robbins is much easier on the pinner if I'm coaching all day.
I'm pretty sure the length standard changed to 1m length. 24" was too short for safety. With that said, use the 24" release for little kids. It is really easy to hold them - most I won't even touch the pylon with the release and I want their rope clear fast.
One last hint, make sure your trick rope has a section of thick (slalom) rope for its last loop. The thin spectra doesn't release as well off the rope release (or the Robbins!).
Eric