The BIG Duck Tape Contraversy

The big controversy at Footstock this year was over the use of Duck Tape on the feet.  Many of the top skiers including Peter Fleck, Mike Salber, Dave Slemp, Keith St. Onge, and several others used duck tape on their feet to protect themselves against burns, blisters and cuts.

Before I throw my 2 cents into the hat and give you my opinion about the whole thing, first check out the video of the official ruling from the Footstock organizers and chief judge.

Click Here for Video of Duck Tape Ruling

Now here's my 2 cents on tape or no tape:

Every time I hear two skiers talking about how they skied, in either a figure 8 or endurance race, to the point they developed a deep blister on their foot, the first thing that always comes to my mind is "What an IDIOT!"  Don't you know how to let go?  Skiing to the point of disfiguring your body is for morons.  I've seen so many skiers ruin their feet permanently by skiing through the pain.  Many skiers have trashed their heels so bad that they no longer have the fatty tissue on the bottom of their heels, which by the way, never grows back.  Once you loose the pad, the only way to ski without severe pain is to cover the heel with a pad, booty, or tape it.

Other skiers (3-eventers for instance) that jump can develop bone spurs in their heels, or planter faceitus, that can prevent them from skiing long distances without severe pain.  Mike Salber and Dave Slemp are two examples of that.

I can't believe that Figure-8 was invented for the purpose of seeing who could burn their feet the fastest.  It was invented to see who could ski through the boat rollers the best and outlast their opponent.  The endurance aspect of Figure-8 tests the stamina of the skiers that can ski more than one time around.  It's a combination of skiing ability and physical fitness.  I've never gone out on the water and asked a friend to see which one of us could burn a hole in their feet the fastest.

My personal opinion is that if I'm going to compete against someone, I want to know they are at their best when I beat them. Then I know without a doubt that I deserve the trophy and right to be called the best.  If my competitor cuts their hand, I offer them a band-aid, super glue or sport-wrap that allows them to hold the handle without pain.  If they tweak their knee, we offer them a knee brace, and so on....

I look at duck tape as a way to allow skiers that have traditionally skied with severe pain to level the playing field and compete head-to-head in the sport the way it was originally conceived, as an ability and fitness contest.  Duck tape in no way makes barefooting easier.  Anyone who thinks so is welcome to prove their point by trying surface turns and toe turns with duck take on their feet.  Try skiing and/or doing tricks without worrying about whether the tape is about to come off in the middle of your run.  Most of the skiers that have used tape can tell you stories about how it came off right in the middle of their run causing them to fall.

The bottom line is, if you're one of the fortunate skiers that can ski without developing blisters, that's great,  But if you're a true champion, you know that you win by being able to ski through rougher water and outlast your competitor through better physical conditioning.  Beating an opponent because their feet happened to light up before yours is more an example of being an opportunist than a great skier, especially if you know your opponent is truly a more talented skier.  I just personally wouldn't want to be called a winner if the only way I could beat a guy is to exploit a physical weakness that they can't control.  I'd rather give my opponent the opportunity to beat me on a level playing field, then walk up to him and say I beat you at your best, remember that.

The bottom line is if the use of duck tape allows skiers to get involved that have been sitting out for years due to the injuries they have caused themselves skiing without it, then that's a good thing.  The better the competition is on the water, the better the sport will be long term.

Though I agree with the use of tape, I also feel there should be limits to it's us.  The tape should also be provided by the event organizer so all the competitors get the same grade and equal amounts.  Also, if a skier needs it, they should be required to use it the entire competition, not just when they feel like it. 

So before you bitch about skiers using tape, first ask yourself why you're worried about it.  Do you really think the tape makes them ski through the rollers any better, or are you more worried that they are truly a better skier or in better shape, and if given the chance to play you on a level field, you might loose.  I don't think Aaron Schoelzel ever thinks about whether Peter Fleck has tape on his feet or not.  He knows its about holding on longer.

For those of you who accused the winners that happened to use duck tape as being cheaters, I say that you're just acting like babies and spoilsports.  As always, Paul Stokes is one of the first to point fingers.  Why is it that guys like Paul always seem to look for any reason they can for why they lost other than looking at themselves for the real reasons.  Reasons like their competition trained harder, and where in much better physical shape.  Of course it's always easier to make an excuse than it is to tell yourself you need to get off the couch and work harder.  So stop all the whining and start training.  The competition is going to be twice as hard next year.  And Dave will have many more pink shirts to hand out.