Racing members – will your heel restraints pass inspection?

Many will remember that concern about Win Tech clip type heel restraints failing during a capsize, led to advice from British Rowing in 2010 that they should be replaced with Dyneema cord.  OarSport, also issued free replacement cord heel restraints to all their customers. 

Since then the number of boats presenting for Control Commission inspection with clip-type or other unsuitable heel restraints has reduced but there are still a few at most events.

It is felt that enough time has now passed and umpires have been instructed not to allow boats with the following types of heel restraints to pass inspection and to race:

• Any restraints where the cord is clipped to the heel of the shoe.
• Any restraints using plastic electrical cable type ties to replace or supplement normal restraints.
• As has always been the case, any ‘home-made’ replacement heel restraints that are not fit for purpose.

See the pdf file below for more information.

Dan Smith (Chairman of the Umpiring Committee) and Dr Clive Killick (Chairman of the Rowing Safety Committee)