Handle Measurements

If you bring your own handle to a tournament the measurements are different from those of a tournament-supplied handle per AWSA Official Tournament Rules.

2014 AWSA Rule Book

Note: For tournament-supplied handle sections, the bridle length shall be 150 cm 

 2.5 cm (4’11”  1”) the triangular portion of the bridle 28 cm ± 4 cm (11 ½ " ± 

1 ½" ), and the length of the handle 30cm ± 6 cm (11-13/16" ± 2-3/8") (see 

diagram). For skier-supplied handles in the Slalom and Jumping events, the 

tolerance on the bridal length shall be +2.5 cm/-10 cm (+1"/-4) with no tolerance 

on the triangular portion of the bridle. All measurements shall be from inside of 

handle to inside of loop (p. 93).

All measurements of tow lines shall be made under 20 kg (44 lbs.) tension for at 

least 30 seconds and shall be made between the following points, as applicable: 

 

1. The inside of that portion of the handle closest to the inside of the 

attaching loop; 

I ship my handles short of actual (1/4" Spectra 1.5" short and 5/16" Polypro .5" short) because with most of my skiers the handle section will stretch to the actual length of 4'11".  On skier supplied handles the tolerance is +1"/-4" or 5' to 4'7" with 44 pounds of tension.  A nice feature of my Spectra handle is that it is easy to make the handle section longer without needing a fid or untying the knot.  To see how:

Lengthening Spectra Handle