footin question

[ncgreg]

Hey all, I know there are many experienced footers on here, welp I am not one of them , but am trying. Last couple of years, footing, coming up the curve, trying to find the correct form, well you know, have experianced what Scarpa calls eye peelers. My eyes are definately not getting younger, but I intend to keep on footing, so i want to try to protect them a little.

Besides the tuck your chin in hurry advise, I noticed on an old Seiple video where he was wearing sunglasses. For sure, the guy is beyoud human, so I know he never falls. But it got me to thinking abount wearing safty glasses with an elastic strap around the head to keep them on during the long line start. With a foam key float on the strap. I also saw a youtube video of a fellow jumping outta 2 skis onto his feet, sure enough, he was wearing speedo gogles. So my idea this year is to try wearing some cool red tinted shooting glasses with a strap to maybe save my headlights alittle bit.

Will this work? Or will it only cause trauma in other body parts like my face?

In line with this thread, you older footers out there, are you seeing floaters in the sky, or am I just an antique?

Thanks in advance for your advise.
Greg in SWMi.

[erkoehler]

Sounds like your asking for trouble wearing glass/goggles of any kind. At least in my opinion........

[Footin]

I would never wear any kind of glasses while footing.

[2RLAKE]

would never wear any type of glasses ... could do some severe damage ... imagine what a busted lense would do to your eye.

Although this doesn't help right now ... the more faceplants you do the more you learn WHEN they are going to happen .... tuck your chin fast and you effectively roll right through... but it does take some faceplants. I had one last year that was a bell ringer, saw all kinds of stars ... and i've been fotting for 20 years ... wow i'm getting old

[Jerseydave]

I wouldn't recommend wearing any glasses either.......asking for more damage.

Do you have access to a boom? That's where you should get some practice, then on to a 5' rope and then long line. Keep your body in the "chair" position when footing. Also if you try to keep a low center of gravity the falls won't be as bad.

Keep your boat speed correct (for long line your body weight divided by 10 plus 20). If you go too slow you will catch a toe easier.

[Hollywood]

I only know of 2 guys that regularly foot in any kind of eyewear. They don't wear them for vision, not for protection from falls. One wears regular swimming goggles to keep his contacts from fogging up, the other wears goggles that are much bigger. I wouldn't go wearing anything that hasn't been tried and true, eye damage really scares me.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b24/lhine763/IMG_0601a.jpg?t=1236954185

I think this guy's name is Andy Mac_______ (maybe just Mac though). He posts a lot on www.barefootworlds.com "bftskir"
http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/uploads/GlassSeeker2.JPG

http://www.barefootworlds.com/barefootforum/uploads/155/joes_sanger_at_twin_cities_lake_007shrunken.jpg

[barefoot]

Most of the pics I see with people wearing sunglasses has to do with the 'cool' factor more so then safety. It takes 40mph to do this sport...if you are taking eye peeling falls, any protection on your face will find its way into the back of your brain or around your neck. Two places where I don't want things. My advice: leave any kind of eye protection in the boat.

I'm picturing falls where you're slamming your face on the water. If that is the case, your catching your toe and not reacting to it. It could be for any number of factors, but lets say it's because of rough water. When I foot, I'm looking at the water several meters out from where I am. If the water's calm, enjoy the scenery. If a boat cuts in your path or you're coming out of calm water, prepare yourself for the upcoming water.

The other thought I had is your position. I don't know what your form looks like, but I *guessing* that you might be too upright. I don't know if that is right or not, but think about it like you are sitting in a chair...feet out in front of you. My stance is a little higher, like sitting on the edge of a bar stool.

The last piece of advice I have is to do a flip out at the end of your run. Toss the handle and do a front flip. The purpose is to get you feeling OK about flipping forward. Remember...tuck your chin to your chest. Think of it as a controlled fall. That, in turn, will make tucking your chin an unconscious movement when you fall for real.

[jrbishop4]

Had the same problem when I first started to barefoot. I finally just went out and my goal was to fall and tuck my chin. I did nothing but get up and fall until i got it down. I did this for about three weeks and I have not had a problem since. I am going on about five years since then and have not got a "eye peeler" since (knock on wood).

[Laurel_Lake_Skier]

I'll add another no vote to the safety glasses idea. If you feel you must have something, it should be on the soft side....some sort of goggles. I've seen some people wear the type swimmers use, but I even wonder what will happen if they get ripped off your face. To me, having your eyelids peeled back is the lesser evil. Your best option is get the tuck and roll down for the falls out the front.

As far as seeing the "floaters".....pretty much a normal thing, not related to barefoot falls. Learn to enjoy them.

[ncgreg]

Thanks to all that responded, that seems like good legit advise.
Greg