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WATERSKI MagazineOK, so a new pair of gloves won't keep you on the water for multiple sets. Your hands will give out before your gloves do. But Bart's new Gauntlet Kevlars will give you the added protection to get in a few more turns without destroying soft tissue.
Featuring Kevlar-reinforced pads on the fingers and palms, the Gauntlets offer durability and a sure grip. The contour fit is streamlined, meaning no bunching – and no blisters. They're double-stitched with amara fabric and feature Spandex back and finger gussets. For additional tightening there's a full-wrap, 1.5-inch neoprene-backed Velcro wrist strap and a double-locking tab that ensures the strap doesn't pull open.
Our Assessment: You want to ski longer and with a better grip? Then Kevlars are the only way to go. Bart's has an edge here, as the gloves are manufactured to the company's specs by longtime glove-maker Clincher and come with a one-year warranty. Our test skiers have used the Gauntlets for four months with no signs of excessive wear and tear. Available in both full- and half-finger versions, XXS-XL, they're a good deal at $29.98 a pair.
For more information, contact Bart's at PO Box 294, North Webster, IN 46555. Call 219-834-7666. RS 155. – Fred “Smokey” Wingate
Board Influx
Nowhere is there more action than on the wakeboard side of the industry. Recently, four companies introduced new boards mid-season, all designed to entice the water skier-turned-wakeboarder to take a test ride. Each member of the quartet is longer, wider and more forgiving for skiers looking to make an easy transition from the skinny ski.
O'Brien Evil Twin: No, this board isn't all-new, but it is longer. The 57-inch version is almost 3 inches longer than the shorter model, giving heavier and taller riders more stability on the super-fast board that's known for its shaved rails and hard edge ($179.95, blank). Call 206-881-5900. Neptune Luxury: At 40 centimeters long and 40.7 centimeters wide, the all-new Luxury offers plenty of stability and agility, while the rocker height of 6.35 centimeters gives the board nice lift off the wake. Its clean hull makes surface tricks and quick turns easy. The channels built into the hull, to direct water off the end of the board, travel farther into the Luxury ($299, blank) hull than on other Neptune models. The slightly rounded edges enable the board to switch and land tricks smoothly. Call 206-881-3377.
Iconn's Custom Scarecrow: Iconn's next-door neighbor, Rod “Hot Rod” Mackenzie, has been contributing to the American Dream for more than 25 years, creating some of the finest custom-paint jobs on cars and motorcycles and earning recognition as one of the best “culture artists” in the world. His shop is a warehouse filled with custom-painted Harleys; his office a full-blown replica of a 1943 Mobil gas station, complete with gas pump and vintage signs. So what in the heck does all this have to do with wakeboarding? Iconn has convinced Hot Rod to share his culture with the Mukilteo, Washington-based company, and custom-paint 3,000 limited-edition wakeboards. Each Iconn Custom Limited Edition board (no set retail cost, but expect to pay around honeycomb board price – $450-$500, blank) is hand-airbrushed and numbered, and autographed by Hot Rod. No two boards will be alike. Call 206-349-1550.
Jobe Diablo: The thin profile, wing-tail twin ends, continuous grab rail and oversized “sweet spot” give the 142-centimeter Diablo a thrilling ride without the edgy bite. Modified hexagonal phasers, three-quarter-length grooves and exaggerated rocker help with turns and landings. With a centered insert stance and unlimited options for metal or plastic plates, it is Jobe's most forgiving performance-oriented board ($200, blank). Call 206-885-3977.
