Standardization News

ASTM International’s snow and water sports committee (F27) has launched a new group that will develop standards for water sports equipment.

A task group is developing two proposed standards, including one for wakeboard bindings (WK67020). The proposed wakeboard binding standard specifies the size and position of threaded inserts. Threaded inserts are used to attach wakeboard bindings to wakeboards, which are typically towed behind motorboats.

“Each manufacturer specifies where the threaded inserts are positioned on a wakeboard,” says ASTM International member Bethany Suderman of Guidance Engineering. “This proposed standard will help standardize the size and position of the threaded inserts so that they will be uniform across manufacturers.” 

Suderman notes that the standard could benefit both manufacturers and consumers. Manufacturers will be able to use the same thread-insert pattern across different wakeboard models, while consumers will be able to purchase wakeboards and bindings with confidence that they will be compatible.

The water sports equipment subcommittee (F27.80) is also looking for more participants to help create a standard for testing fiber rope used in towable water sports applications, such as water skiing and tubing (WK62336).

“We need participation from those who work on standards related to materials used in manufacturing water sports equipment, such as ropes, nylon materials, webbings, and stitching,” Suderman says. “In fact, anyone interested in such a standard would be welcome.”

Become a member of ASTM. The next meeting of ASTM International’s committee on snow and water sports is July 17-18, in San Francisco, California, USA.