When I first rowed in a sweep boat, archeological layers of duct tape were wrapped round and round the shabby, shredded shoes in the worn-out sectional eight (more tape than shoe). The frayed string pretended to be heel ties (when they were on). Now that I know better, I should have panicked. It was not until my first race (with referees checking heel ties, pre-launch) that I learned how heel ties kept the rower safe, when done right.

I have since spent many days as dockmaster and have been amazed by how many rowers (from teenagers to 80-year olds) have NO idea why the heel ties are there, or why it is bad if they are NOT. We see the annoyance of rowers when control commission interrupts their intent to launch and pulls them over. They run back to the trailer and grab shoelaces/rope/string/plastic … anything to get heel ties on the shoes, and still may not know why.

From the USRowing Rules of Rowing: Foot Release

Where the feet of the competitor are held in place by footgear affixed to the structure of the boat, the design of such footgear shall provide for the quick release of the competitor’s feet in case of emergency, without the use of hands. Any pull strings shall not allow the heel to raise more than three inches (7.5 cm) above the footboard to which it is anchored.

I asked some savvy rowing historians about the history of the heel tie. USRowing Masters Committee member Norm Thetford of New Haven said, “I am pretty sure they came into being when a rower could not get out of a shell that had flipped. I saw the latter happen up in Toronto in 1985 at the FISA Veterans regatta when a four flipped. The oarsman reached down and just ripped the shoes out of the boat in his (successful) effort to get free. He was lucky and strong enough, but a weaker person might not have been able to do that, so the combination of Velcro closures and heel ties makes exiting the boat easier. With safety becoming a priority issue in the ‘80/’90s, the heel ties were considered the primary release and became required. The Velcro release is considered a secondary release.” 

Rowing history is well-documented by Bill Miller. He wrote, “Heel ties were used soon after the first track shoes were installed in boats instead of clogs. The first shoes I remember were in 1972. They were regular track shoes with tie-up laces and no safety release mechanism. It was clear at that time that there was a safety issue with these shoes. In 1973, European boat builders had specially-made shoes with Velcro heel releases where the heel of the shoe separated. Schoenbrod installed shoes in his eights about 1974 and for safety, he punched holes for heel ties. (For more Rowing History, visit http://www.rowinghistory.net.)

Rob Slocum, a masters sculler from Norwalk, said, “My heel ties used to be like most, 2-3" or so of slack, and, for me, useless in an emergency. In a race, I hit a buoy at the finish line, went over in a flash, and just about drowned. I mean that. I'd gone over before, but never when racing and always had enough breath to go under and release my heels by hand. In this case, I floundered in a panic until I realized I could get my arm around my hull. I was lucky. I got my breath back and released my heels. Ever since I've had tie-downs set at an inch or so. This also means when I finish a row, I just step out, like ski bindings.” (Some less flexible rowers may need longer ties to allow their heels to come up at the catch.)

ALWAYS: Make sure your heel ties are on, secure, made of strong fiber and no longer than three inches.

Margot Zalkind is the chair of USRowing’s Safety Committee and Executive Director of the Foundation for Rowing Education, a non-profit organization devoted to safe rowing practices and an USRowing partner organization. This article is the first in a series of seasonal, safety-related articles written by members of the Foundation. If there is a topic you would like to have addressed, please email Margot@rowingeducation.org .