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WATERSKI MagazineRalph Samuelson probably wasn't concerned with the ergonomic characteristics of the iron ring he used as a handle during his historic ski ride in 1922. He was probably concentrating on hanging on rather than getting a greater lean across the wakes. In the past few years, however, some handle manufacturers have returned to curved handles reminiscent of the one Samuelson used – though the modern versions are quite a bit more comfortable. We are also seeing other shapes that diverge from the old broomstick-tied-to-a-rope shape.
The past few years, the challenge has been to make handles that allow skiers to pull stronger, more efficiently and more comfortably. Manufacturers have produced several new shapes of handles, including a number of “radius,” or curved, handles that bend at the same angle as the wrists naturally do, putting the hand and wrist in their strongest position with less strain.
“Other sports, like baseball and tennis, have started to use radius handles,” says George Chicarilli of Proline and a former front man for Makai and StraightLine. “The radius grip is more orthotically correct, more natural – it fits the body more properly.” Several companies offer radius handles in various curvatures and styles (see sidebar) that conform to the body's natural tendencies.
The comfort and increased performance don't just come from how the handles are shaped, but how they adjust for the asymmetrical one-palm-up, one-palm-down hand placement that most slalom skiers use. This year, Nevin has come out with a revolutionary handle that incorporates its new Ergonomic Grip System technology, or EGS, which compensates for the one-up, one-down position. This asymmetrical grip fits each hand exactly, says Nevin's Chris Wiggins, “allowing the pull on the biceps and forearms to be shared by the back, hips, and triceps.” In Tow is also expected to produce a new design that adjusts for palm-up, palm-down placement.
Others are taking a more radical approach to curvature and handle design. Tri-Grip has a handle that's bent in the middle — nearly 45 degrees – that allows the skier to ski with both palms facing down and place the handle directly on the hips. According to creator Ed Crow, the Tri-Grip lines up the joints and lowers the shoulder by 5 degrees, allowing a stronger pull and more skiing with less fatigue.
The array of anything-but-straight products are out there, with comparable prices to straight versions, but do they work? Yes and no, depending on who you are.
Both competitive and recreational slalom skiers will benefit from this new technology if a new handle allows them to pull more strongly with less stress on the joints. And who doesn't want that performance benefit? Yet, there may be drawbacks. Curved handles may actually be more difficult for some skiers to use – the handle's curve puts the end of the grip farther away from the skier's free hand at the end of the turn, making it more difficult to reach the handle. The curves, shapes and radiuses take some getting used to as well, especially after the turn when a skier's grip is the most vulnerable. Slalom skiers with perpetual two-handed turns, however, will probably love them on the comfort level alone.
Women 3 national slalom and overall champion Leza Harrison-Davies began using the radius grip when she started skiing in the Open division. “I was having wrist problems skiing with a straight handle,” says Harrison-Davies. “But they went away when I started using a curved handle.”
Top-ranked Open Women skier Jennifer Leachman, however, prefers the tried and true straight handle, if only for continuity. She's skied with straight handles for so long that switching handles made her feel weaker in the pull. “When I tried a radius grip handle, I just didn't feel as strong,” claims the former world record holder, who ran 38 off last year. “I lost several line lengths [after the switch] because my muscles weren't trained to ski in that position.”
WaterSki equipment test chief Randy Myers has used both, with varying degrees of success. “While some believe that a curved handle will offer more leverage, I honestly get more from the straight handle I'm currently using. On the upside, though, curved handles tend to be more forgiving. For example, if you get both hands on one end of a straight handle, it can really mess you up. With a curved handle, it doesn't seem to make much difference leverage-wise. It's more tolerant of improper position, and that can be great for a recreational skier.”
So what's the best? You be the judge. The only thing that every skier can agree on is that the effectiveness of shaped handles is a matter of personal preference: No one has to like them but you and your wrists. But no matter which type you choose, one thing is guaranteed: You'll be more comfortable than young Ralph was holding on to that heavy iron ring.
A former collegiate skier and captain of the Stanford ski team, Adrienne Osborn is a new contributor to WaterSki.
