Proper Footwear!

FishVision · **Joined:** Mon Jan 03, 2005 9:41 am **Posts:** 2040

Saturday Suzanne and I took the boat from Fernindina on a quest to explore Cumberland Island and (new for us) fishing grounds up towards Crooked Creek. We were having a great time fishing and exploring the area. It was an absolutely beautiful out.

We then decided to check out a nice beach area and got out with flip flops on. Bad idea :!:

I never ware flip flops but I did this day and so did Suzy. Well long story short I turned around to head back to the boat and not two seconds later I hear Suzanne scream. I thought OMG did she get bit by a snake :shock:

She slipped on a very small patch of slippery mud in the sand. Her flip flop slid and twisted her ankle so badly it broke the outer Fibia bone in her right ankle. We had a hour and a half boat ride back to the dock :cry:

We are certain that if we had been waring Teva Sandals or boating shoes with the proper support this never would have happened. Flip flops, Crocs are very popular but I can tell you we will never boat or paddle with them again. Lesson learned

JeffreyMcGovern · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:09 am

Those types of footwear don't belong anywhere near a kayak. Yes they are comfy, but if you have to get out and get around on beaches or bars you are in trouble. They won't stay with your feet and you slip around inside them far too easliy. I use Teav watershoes most of the time with great results. I use Seal Skin socks in cold weather sometimes with Bite or Teva sandals. The deal is to be safe kayaking your shoes need to stay with your feet not slip off or around.

HoosierPaddler · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:58 am

Damn1 Sorry to hear that! Great PSA for the proper foot gear though! Give her my best
HP

baitfish · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:31 pm

Ooohh man!!! Sorry to hear about the injury Suzanne especially when on a bumpy boat ride! I hope it heals fast and the whole summer isn't in a cast! But you are right, flip flops and water do not mix! Once they get wet they are totaly useless and dangerous!

bayview3 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:45 pm

I like patagonia Marlwalkers. Vaughn has some at Black Fly and you can also get them online. They are great, high topped, and withstand oysters and stingrays. Fit well, dry well and are relatively comfortable.

DropShot · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 2:21 pm

Owee, owee, owee! My sympathies for Suzanne and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Thanks for posting a very helpful message and sharing a valuable lesson with your fellow anglers.

FlaPaddleFish · **Joined:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:41 pm **Posts:** 190

Ouch!

Sorry to hear about that. Ever since I bought my Chaco Z2 Unaweep sandals, I'll never go back to Crocs in the boat again!

Hopes for a speedy recovery!

islandspeed2001 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:06 pm

Sorry to hear about your injury Suzanne :cry:

Hope you mend quickly.

KayakMike · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:10 pm

OUUCH - sending hopes she heals fast!

dawnbaby · **Posted:** Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:56 am

Hope she feels better. I too wear flip flop, and with the luck I have I need some good shoes. I just found Patagonia Marlwalkers on Ebay for $40 with 35 shipping. That appears to be a really good price.

dsitterson · **Posted:** Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:06 am

Tennis shoes...I wear crocs and tevas...teva's are ok but don't protect the top of your feet....you can go fancy but some old tennis shoes work good.

FishVision · **Joined:** Mon Jan 03, 2005 9:41 am **Posts:** 2040

Thank you for the kind responses.

Suzanne is going to Heekin Ortho Friday for a few screws and this thing called a tight rope.... Thoughts and prayers welcome. It is outpatient surgery and Dr. Kevin Murphy knows his stuff so I am sure it will go well. 6-8 weeks in a removeable boot... Aaaaghhh. :shock:

OPharbor · **Joined:** Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:20 am **Posts:** 150

OUCH!!! I hope she's recovers soon. I too found out the hard way a few weeks ago. I normally alway wear my Columbia sandals, but I forgot to put them in the truck, so I just went on with my Croc flip-flops. Back in the creek, I got a red strike and being over-excited, set the hook (too hard) and yanked the whole kit and kaboodle onto an oyster bed. Not wanting to loose the rig, I gingerly got out and retrieved said gear successfully. Getting back into the yak, my foot slipped out of the *%&**@ Croc and sliced one of my toes almost to the bone. Not too worried about the cut, but those oysters can carry some mighty nasty stuff.

Anyway DON"T DO IT! NEVER!

chef · **Joined:** Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:05 pm **Posts:** 380

damn that stinks, get well soon Suzanne.

islander1225 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:37 pm

Hope you get well soon suzanne.

i have worn crocs now for several years, from the boat to the yak and have never had a problem with them, have even walked on oyster beds with them no probs.

Alex

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