Foot Safety

[Random_guy]

I would think the issue is that if you're walking towards the target and an arrow that's fallen short stabs you in the foot, there's no guarentee its YOUR arrow, and they're probably worried about suing, insurance etc.

If you shoot yourself in the foot, it's your own stupid fault and they're probably covered! Equally if you do some serious damage not wearing an armguard.

Disclaimer: this is only a wild and fanciful guess, which may or may not bare any resemblence to the truth!

[grantwomack]

Do any of the GNAS members on this board know the real reason behind it?

[morphymick]

307. Dress Regulations

(d) Footwear must be worn at all times during the tournament.

There is no mention of closed-toed footwear in the regs, only footwear.

Mick

[Bald Eagle]

Unless the ruling has changed, under GNAS rules, sandals are not permitted as acceptable footwear for shooting and personally, under health and safety,I aggree! Walking ito an arrow buried just under the surface can give you a nasty wound, ask Mrs B.E.!!! Also, sandals don't give a good "platform" for stance. A good pair of stout shoes etc etc etc !!!

[SLOWHAND]

I seem to recall seeing Larry Godfrey shooting in sandals at the indoor nats earlier in the year. Still, I suppose it would take a brave judge to tell an Olypic medalist that he wasn't properly dressed!

[Little Miss Purple]

The ruling should ban socks worn with sandals!!

I have seen plenty of people wearing open toed sandals at competitions over the past few weekends

[Stace]

Another flip flop wearer - nice one.

I can't see any reason why shooting in flip flops shouldn't be allowed, in fact it should be encouraged as the soles are flat rather than having a raised instep allowing your body weight to be spread over a greater surface area.

Hey, there's a thread on here in the hints and tips section that advocated the removal of footwear to find arrows so wearing open toed shoes shouldn't be a problem.

[Furface]

Originally Posted by morphymick

307. Dress Regulations

(d) Footwear must be worn at all times during the tournament.

Mick

This is my favourite regulation. If a Double FITA is a single Tournament, does this mean you have to keep your shoes on in bed overnight?

Originally Posted by grantwomack

Do any of the GNAS members on this board know the real reason behind it?

Leaving aside that most of us are GNAS members... The official response I got when I asked was the "arrows in the grass" one, followed up by "shooting your toes".
But would anyone like more rules or statements about safe practice? I suspect an addition to one of the "Handbooks" about safety (personal perhaps, not ground) in all its aspects, and taking these matters out of RoS would be an improvement.

[cliveanne]

I have shot in sandals ( with No socks LMP) untill I had a close encounter with a small pile of fox Poo.
Nuff said

[Rik]

Originally Posted by Furface

The official response I got when I asked was the "arrows in the grass" one, followed up by "shooting your toes".

Somehow, I suspect that most footwear wouldn't be terribly effective in the "protect the toes from being shot" department.... Mandatory Toetectors, anyone?

Anyway The "pin your foot to the ground" shot almost never happens. I've seen more hand damage from arrows than foot damage - Maybe I should suggest mandatory armoured gloves?