There seems to be a new trend in rowing shoes that is a (very) mixed blessing. On the good side they grip the foot very well, especially the heel. On the bad side, the heel grip is so strong the rower risks not being able to release after a capsize.as we can make it. However, since we haven't given it an experimental run through I'm not at all sure I can easily get out of the shoes in the event of a capsize.
This happened recently with a sculler who had launched from the San Diego Rowing Club. He capsized and was not able to get his feet out of the shoes. A passing launch rescued him.
In this case, they were Bont "Project B" shoes, similar to the those that are now standard with all Fluidesign and Hudson shells. The extenuating circumstance was the heels had not been tied down.
My partner and I installed Bont shoes about six months ago in our Filippi double. While they feel great, we noticed the difficulty of extracting our feet from the very snug heels. As a precaution, we have tied down the heels as close to the footboard
According to its website, Bont has been in the shoe business since 1975, starting with shoes for ice speed skaters and moving on with success to shoes for roller and inline skating, bicycling, and then for rowing relatively recently,times can determine a scholarship to college or a seat in one's national 8+.
I'd guess that in skating and cycling a very tight heel is essential, but I wonder about rowing. If very snug heels were essential or even important to rowing performance we probably would have seen them long ago in the erging environment, where 2k
In short, the trade off of very snug heels vs. enhanced risk of drowning is worth attention.
In short, the trade off of very snug heels vs. enhanced risk of drowning is worth attention.
Summary: A snug heel isn't as much of an issue as being strapped in too tightly.
On Monday, 20 December 2021 at 22:22:20 UTC, Jonny wrote:
Summary: A snug heel isn't as much of an issue as being strapped in too tightly.
Neither is much of an issue compared with not having a heel restraint. "The extenuating circumstance was the heels had not been tied down."
On 16/12/2021 00:10, Steve Schaffran wrote:as we can make it. However, since we haven't given it an experimental run through I'm not at all sure I can easily get out of the shoes in the event of a capsize.
There seems to be a new trend in rowing shoes that is a (very) mixed blessing. On the good side they grip the foot very well, especially the heel. On the bad side, the heel grip is so strong the rower risks not being able to release after a capsize.
This happened recently with a sculler who had launched from the San Diego Rowing Club. He capsized and was not able to get his feet out of the shoes. A passing launch rescued him.
In this case, they were Bont "Project B" shoes, similar to the those that are now standard with all Fluidesign and Hudson shells. The extenuating circumstance was the heels had not been tied down.
My partner and I installed Bont shoes about six months ago in our Filippi double. While they feel great, we noticed the difficulty of extracting our feet from the very snug heels. As a precaution, we have tied down the heels as close to the footboard
times can determine a scholarship to college or a seat in one's national 8+.According to its website, Bont has been in the shoe business since 1975, starting with shoes for ice speed skaters and moving on with success to shoes for roller and inline skating, bicycling, and then for rowing relatively recently,
I'd guess that in skating and cycling a very tight heel is essential, but I wonder about rowing. If very snug heels were essential or even important to rowing performance we probably would have seen them long ago in the erging environment, where 2k
In short, the trade off of very snug heels vs. enhanced risk of drowning is worth attention.
Steve - if this is indeed the case, the term "trade-off" is meaningless
- unless one takes a Faustian view of rowing safety.
Some rowers seem to have been subtly persuaded by promotional literature
to fetishise their feet, as if what little really happens there has much
if any impact on the real work done by the rest of the body. What
happened to rational thought, or have no enough rowers drowned with
their feet held in shoes in an upturned boat?
Carl
--
Carl Douglas Racing Shells -
Fine Small-Boats/AeRoWing Low-drag Riggers/Advanced Accessories
Write: Harris Boatyard, Laleham Reach, Chertsey KT16 8RP, UK
Find: tinyurl.com/2tqujf
Email: ca...@carldouglasrowing.com Tel: +44(0)1932-570946 Fax: -563682
URLs: carldouglasrowing.com & now on Facebook @ CarlDouglasRacingShells
On Friday, December 17, 2021 at 4:08:04 PM UTC-5, carl wrote:as we can make it. However, since we haven't given it an experimental run through I'm not at all sure I can easily get out of the shoes in the event of a capsize.
On 16/12/2021 00:10, Steve Schaffran wrote:
There seems to be a new trend in rowing shoes that is a (very) mixed blessing. On the good side they grip the foot very well, especially the heel. On the bad side, the heel grip is so strong the rower risks not being able to release after a capsize.
This happened recently with a sculler who had launched from the San Diego Rowing Club. He capsized and was not able to get his feet out of the shoes. A passing launch rescued him.
In this case, they were Bont "Project B" shoes, similar to the those that are now standard with all Fluidesign and Hudson shells. The extenuating circumstance was the heels had not been tied down.
My partner and I installed Bont shoes about six months ago in our Filippi double. While they feel great, we noticed the difficulty of extracting our feet from the very snug heels. As a precaution, we have tied down the heels as close to the footboard
times can determine a scholarship to college or a seat in one's national 8+. >>> In short, the trade off of very snug heels vs. enhanced risk of drowning is worth attention.According to its website, Bont has been in the shoe business since 1975, starting with shoes for ice speed skaters and moving on with success to shoes for roller and inline skating, bicycling, and then for rowing relatively recently,
I'd guess that in skating and cycling a very tight heel is essential, but I wonder about rowing. If very snug heels were essential or even important to rowing performance we probably would have seen them long ago in the erging environment, where 2k
perhaps it could be useful to have some ability to swivel the foot. In most cases it seems that simply changing the foot stretcher angle would do the trick and allow the entire foot to keep a steady contact with the footboard at all times.Steve - if this is indeed the case, the term "trade-off" is meaningless
- unless one takes a Faustian view of rowing safety.
Some rowers seem to have been subtly persuaded by promotional literature
to fetishise their feet, as if what little really happens there has much
if any impact on the real work done by the rest of the body. What
happened to rational thought, or have no enough rowers drowned with
their feet held in shoes in an upturned boat?
Carl
--
Carl Douglas Racing Shells -
Fine Small-Boats/AeRoWing Low-drag Riggers/Advanced Accessories
Write: Harris Boatyard, Laleham Reach, Chertsey KT16 8RP, UK
Find: tinyurl.com/2tqujf
Email: ca...@carldouglasrowing.com Tel: +44(0)1932-570946 Fax: -563682
URLs: carldouglasrowing.com & now on Facebook @ CarlDouglasRacingShells
Old fashioned clogs are still the most versatile and cost effective as they allow for multiple foot sizes. Also the hard wooden soles definitely do not waist any energy.
If it's your personal racing boat then I can understand mounting correct sized shoes for a little extra comfort.
As for clip in shoes that swivel. this equipment is best for tech wienies. I can think of perhaps one use case where they might be helpful. In the case that you have severely damaged your achilies tendons and have almost no mobility in them. Then
These complex footstretcher shoe systems remind me of the turtle back waterbottles that are popular among amatuer runners and cyclists. They carry loads of extra water for what usually ammounts to a 20 or 30 minute light workout..but they feel fabulousbecause they have read a long article about how great the technology is that went into making these devices.
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