ASTM International has created a new subcommittee on water sports equipment (F27.80), which aims to create standards to help test and enhance the performance and safety of products such as water skis, wakeboards, and towables/inflatables. The group held its first meeting on February 27 in conjunction with the Water Sports Industry Association Summit in Steamboat, Colorado.

“We want people to know that we will be working together to foster a culture of safety, and we encourage anyone interested to join this exciting effort,” ASTM International member Bethany Suderman of Guidance Engineering said.

In addition to water skis, wakeboards, and towables, standards from the new subcommittee could include materials used in manufacturing water sports equipment—such as rope, webbing, stitching, and fiberglass composites. Manufacturers, industry groups like WISA, testing laboratories, and consumers will find the standards useful.

Participation is also welcome from snow skiing and snowboarding manufacturers due to the synergies between snow and water sports equipment.