Why don't Wakeboard Bindings Release?

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

I thought about this question in 98 after my knee was reconstructed after something went wrong landing a front flip.

Fast forward to July 24th and I was out working on a landing a Pete Rose. First couple I under rotated and came up short. Never being accused of being smart I tried a third time. This time I over rotated in both directions.

When the board entered the water it was spinning in two axis and so was my body. The force dislocated my ankle, not wanting to throw money away on the bindings I refused to let my friends cut the binding. What seemed like an eternity and an entire bottle of dishsoap my foot came out of the binding.

We wen't to the local hospital but after x-rays and consulation with the local orthopedist, I was told my injuries were beyond the "realm of expertise." They shot me full of drugs, put on a splint and referred me to the premier ankle specialist in the Northwest.

Three hours latter I was in the ER in my hometown. They called the ankle specialist who came in to examine the x-rays and my ankle. My Talon (interior and anterior), Tibia and some other bones were broken (12 in all) but none of these were the doctors main concern. He did a pressure test on the ankle. Anything over 40 is limb threating and anything over 50 is life threating. My pressure read 57. Off to emergency surgery I went to relieve the Compartment Syndrome. The doctor fillet me from just behind my big toe all the way up the calf. To relieve the pressure on the nerve they have to cut the muscle, tissue and anything else away from the nerve.

I laid in the hospital with an open wound until last Thursday when they sewed up the outside of the first surgery and put plates and screws on the outside of broken Talon. Just got out of the hospital yesterday. I lost 240 hours of my life. Because of the damage to the inside of the foot, they cannot put back the broken pieces for three to four weeks. They do not know how much nerve damage I have, consequently they do not know if I will ever walk normally again. Much less wakeboard.

Now I am back to original thought: Why hasn't someone come up with wakeboard bindings that release like Snow Skis or Snow Board Bindings?

Am I the only one that has screwed up an ankle or knee because the bindings did not release?

Instead of bindings that release it seems like the market has gone the other direction, make bindings that keep the foot locked into the boot. This is fine but isn't one of Newtons laws and object in motion remains in motion? I dissiapated the energy of the impact by destroying my ankle. Seems like a binding system that released would be much simplier!

Forgive my spelling and grammer--way too many drugs to think or care.

Please give me some input, before I strap on a board again it will have a release system, whether I design it or its on the market.

ttuclint · Addict Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 984 City: Lubbock, TX

I think the problem is the trend of people wanting their bindings to fit a little too tight and where the binding really holds your foot. On alot of the older bindings they really hold down at one point on the top of your ankle where your foot starts. This is evident by the need of lube and much struggling to get into the bindings.

With the LF alpha's I currently have my foot slides right in with no lube, has enough hold to keep me in on soft falls but enough give to slide out on any harder falls. I think this is primarily due to the developed technology of the binding material and design.

burton156 · Posted: Aug 03, 2004 10:09 pm Post subject:

Wow man sorry to hear about that. i had acl surgery and i though tthat was bad. I hope that u can get back to normal and walk right and do everyday things. If you can wakeboard again that will be a plus.
Good luck
RJ

colefooter · Posted: Aug 04, 2004 6:17 am Post subject:

Man that sucks, they do need to make a binding with a really easy release.

Those better have been good bindings if you didn't cut them off with a dislocated ankle inside lol OUCH!

wakeguy2008 · Addict Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 847 City: Ft. Myers

thats blows man... ive always liked my foot to stay in the boot but in ur position i would be mad....bindings made out of a slippery material will release better if that helps....

churchy · Posted: Aug 04, 2004 7:53 am Post subject:

Man, that is rough.. sorry to hear about that.

I have screwed up knees, etc.. but I still prefer my board to stay on. I have seen a lot of bad stuff happening to people when their board comes off and hits them. Also, when only one foot comes out, it is like a big lever reefing on your one knee that is still in the binding.

aloharodeo · Posted: Aug 04, 2004 8:11 am Post subject:

I'm with churchy on this one.

khoekz16 · Posted: Aug 04, 2004 8:42 am Post subject:

sorry to hear about that dude...yeah, this summer about 6 people on 2 weekends had borken this or tore that at my lake - nothing as severe as yours. Main reason for the damage was the lack of release. Right then i switched to obrien links from my old 2001 hyperlite highbacks (i am looking into liquid force alphas for next year) - with the highbacks, they would never release, unless i fell extremely hard, then one would come off. They would sometimes tweek my knee/ankle/or something. This is why i switched to the looser links. They are comfortable, they provide easy landings/ soft landings, best of all, they completely release if i fall hard - i havent had even the slightest pain in my legs when falling since. My board has hit the back of my head once, but i can survive a bruise a lot easier than what you are going through. I will buy the alphas at the end of the season, they are similiar to the links, but more advanced. Hope you are doing better and the doctor has something good to say next visit. have a good one

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

Thanks guys they were Parks bindings that I got a deal on but still did not want to cut them.

Another mistake I made was using Lava Juice instead of my Joy dishsoap. Everyone commented that the stuff wears off quickly and almost makes the foot feel stickier in the boot. I made a note not to use the stuff again. Too bad I don't listen to myself either! ha ha

Since I'm going to be laid up for awhile I have daydreaming about a binding release system that will allow everyone to use thier current boards and boot plates.

The bindings will also have the D.I.N. adjustments like ski/snowboard bindings so you can adjust for riders weight and ability.

I agree with a loose board being a problem, perhaps leashes would overcome this.

Good idea?

ty540 · Addict Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 603

That really sucks. I hope you have a good recovery.

Unfortunately, I don't think that a leash would help, because if you don't want the board to come back and hit you, it's probably not a good idea to tie it to your leg.

There is one pair of bindings you might be interested in. The NSI Tantrum (I believe that's what it was called) was really interesting, and seemed like it would work well. Here's a link: http://www.northshoreinc.com/wakeboard.html

Hangtime · Outlaw Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Posts: 160 City: Concord

lcap,

That was a bad one. I'm sorry you have to go through this; I've had 6 surgeries on my hand and 1 on my shoulder. I'm here to tell you it will get better. You sound like you have a positive attitude -- that's very important for recovery. You'll have low moments in rehab, but keep remembering you have do everything the docs/therapists tell you to do to get back as much function as possible.

If you ever need an ear to listen to your woes, PM me anytime.

The best of luck with your recovery!!!

jbjboc · Criminal Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Posts: 69 City: Lake Forest

I've seen slolom skiers with step in type bindings. they wear "booties" on thier feet, and then strap on to the ski. I never checked 'em closely, so I'm not sure how they release, but it seems like a step in the direction you're talking. Sorry to hear about the injury-