Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

[87MonArk]

This past weekend, my son-in-law was attempting to get up on a slalom ski using a "slalom trainer rope" (single handle with a deep vee in the rope so the ski is held in position by the rope while in the water). As he was coming out of the water he lost his balance and let go of the handle. The rope slid down his leg and got caught in the ski boot. The rope pinned his foot inside the boot and did not come out. He was dragged through and under the water several feet until the boat slowed down and the slack rope allowed his foot come out of the boot. This was very painfull and resulted in a broken foot.

We've used this rope several times and it worked great, until this time....

Has anyone else had a simular experince? I'm afraid to use the slalom trainer rope again!

Any comments or advice would be helpfull!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

I can't imagine it has anything to do with the rope design. Which part got caught on the boot? If it was the handle, then any rope would do that. Also, what type of binding are we talking about? Most boots are just flexible neoprene, so it would have had to catch on something else in order to hold on with a 180+lbs guy dragging through the water. I would just chalk it up to bad luck and a one in a million chance.

Next time tell your son-in-law that if he would have just stood up it wouldn't have happened.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

This past weekend, my son-in-law was attempting to get up on a slalom ski using a "slalom trainer rope" (single handle with a deep vee in the rope so the ski is held in position by the rope while in the water). As he was coming out of the water he lost his balance and let go of the handle. The rope slid down his leg and got caught in the ski boot. The rope pinned his foot inside the boot and did not come out. He was dragged through and under the water several feet until the boat slowed down and the slack rope allowed his foot come out of the boot. This was very painfull and resulted in a broken foot.

We've used this rope several times and it worked great, until this time....

Has anyone else had a simular experince? I'm afraid to use the slalom trainer rope again!

Any comments or advice would be helpfull!

The only way that I can this could have happened is if he fell backwards, and the ski skewed and got completely through the "vee" like a button in a button hole. the vee tightened and locked around the boot.
I would agree with 87MonArk that it is a freak occurrance, but at the same tiome, why use this gizmo in the first place?
Generations of skiers have just used whatever rope is available.
If you want the benefit of that elongated vee without the risk of this re-occurring, use a twin handle rig.

 

[SMEYLINK]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

We used to use old ski ropes till I had a partial amputation of my right thumb. We were on a slow moving (10-14 MPH) disks (round board home made that we can lay, sit or stand on) very rough water and I was launched forward due to the front hitting a huge wave. Thumb got twisted in the rope as I was sent forward and when hitting the water set it like a fish hook. 37 stitches later we found a higher quality rope with plastic around the Y to the handle. This would have prevented the rope from twisting around my thumb.

When I was little we had a friend get his head caught in the rope. He lifted it over his head in reaction we were able to reverse to stop forward momentum but "freak" accidents will happen. This is why many trick skiers have a release at the boat the spotter can undo. That is the best safety measure I have seen.

At the end of the day you could be killed or injured doing about anything even sleeping in your house and a plane crashes into it. Might as well enjoy your time here while you have the chance and if you die.... die happy!

 

[Tabes117]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

We have the same rope but never had an accident.

 

[Joeyjoejoe]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

Up until I bought the deep V rope, my son could not get up on one ski (always had to drop one which presents other dangers). With the new rope, he got up on his second try, and every time after that. I guess with any activity like waterskiing there will always be a certain amount of danger, and I will certainly be watching out for this occurence. Thanks for the post.

 

[basalt51]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

I've seen two people break their foot while trying to get up. One was barefooting, and neither were with a training rope. An incredible amount of tension is put on the rope when pulling and if it pops out at just the right (or wrong) time it has a ton of force. The guy barefooting completely bent the ski rope handle. I've never hit my foot. But I have put a HUGE welt on a young lady's back who wasn't watching while I was being pulled up! That's 75' that thing flew with enough force to leave some serious bruising.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

We were on a slow moving (10-14 MPH) disks

HOLY COW!! Never heard of anyone else with a "disk". My grandfather had one on his boat, and I swear people had more fun with that thing than the ski/s.

We've been tossing around the idea of cutting a new one, might have to just do it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

HOLY COW!! Never heard of anyone else with a "disk". My grandfather had one on his boat, and I swear people had more fun with that thing than the ski/s.

We've been tossing around the idea of cutting a new one, might have to just do it.

Disk's sure are fun !!!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

Having used both types I'd take my chances with the vee. Like is said, accidents are rare and I never knew of any rope injuries with either type; course when you have a novice and they get scared and don't let go when they fall getting a nose full of water.....but that could happen with either.

Mark

 

[cr2k]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

We used to use a short V rope and put the rope along the opposite side of the forward foot..i.e. right foot forward rope on left side of ski. Doing this one is able to slightly rest the edge of the ski on the rope which will help guide the ski straight.

Can you give me some dimensions on the DISK?
sounds like fun. Small tubes, etc. are both expensive and rough riding.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

Can you give me some dimensions on the DISK?

48" diameter

Just because that was the maximum dimension we could get from "stock" plywood. Yours could be any size you wanted though.

 

[kyle f]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

With our legal system, you coul probably sue for a couple $100Ks or so.

Seriously, there are risks with any watersport we do... its rare but Sh!t Happens.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Accident using Slalom Trainer Rope

Thread is 5 months old.