Each year at the various Canadian Championships, there is a mandatory Bowls and Shoes Inspection, under the direction of the Head Event Umpire. Bowling shoes are inspected to determine if they comply with the Bowls Canada Boulingrin (BCB) Domestic Regulation on Approved Footwear.
Bowlers and umpires across the country have asked for further guidance on what soles are acceptable for use during the various Canadian Championships. Below you will find images of bowling shoes that illustrate and commentate why the shoes are acceptable or not.
If you wish to submit an image of a bowling shoe to the National Officiating Committee for their consideration, please follow the following procedures:
- Include one or two colour photos of the shoe – the sole*, and a side profile
- The image size should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels in the longer dimension
- Format may be .jpg or .tiff
- Submit as an email attachment to office@bowlscanada.com with your name and province
* Mandatory
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UMPIRES’ COMMENTS: |
UMPIRES’ COMMENTS: |
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NW: This shoe has treads that are deep and do not qualify as “shallow” treads. The large number of treads around the perimeter of the sole are also a concern for potential damage to the green. GC: Although the sole looks flat the tread is deep and in parts, wide which could collect small stones and bring them onto the green. In this case I would not pass this shoe. HL: The tread on this shoe appears deep and liable to collect small stones. There is potential damage to the green. SAM: I also agree stones & other small foreign objects could be collected in between the lines. RECOMMENDATION: This shoe is not approved for use in Canada. July 8, 2016 |
NW: There are three deep treads that cross the sole of the shoe that could damage the green, due to their depth as well as their width. The other secondary tread patterns are not an issue, and this sole would be acceptable with the absence of the three deep treads. GC: I don’t think the shoe would cause any damage to a bowling green and would accept the shoe. HL: I am concerned that the 3 deep treads could cause damage to a soft, wet green if twisted with weight.. SAM: For the most part I’d accept this shoes, however, on closer examination the wide lines going from side to side appear too wide!! RECOMMENDATION: This shoe is not approved for use in Canada. July 8, 2016 |
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UMPIRES’ COMMENTS: |
UMPIRES’ COMMENTS: |
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NW: This shoe has treads that are deep and do not qualify as “shallow” treads. The large number of treads around the perimeter of the sole are also a concern for potential damage to the green. The treads on the heel are about ¼ inch in depth and are the greatest concern. GC: Looking at the sole I cannot see this shoe causing damage to any green and would accept them. HL: While the treads might be deep, they do appear to be narrow. This shoe could be acceptable. SAM: For the most part I’d agree with HL, the lines do not appear too deep, but what is the depth of those 6 first tread marks!! RECOMMENDATION: This shoe is approved for use in Canada. July 8, 2016 |
NW: There is one deep tread that crosses the heel of the shoe that could damage the green, due to its depth and width. The parallel treads on the instep – labelled “non-marking” – are wide and deep enough to collect small stones, and the other tread patterns are a borderline concern. This bowler wears these shoes to accommodate orthotics, and has a doctor’s note to state that they are required. GC: I agree. They are not acceptable with or without a doctor’s note. HL: These shoes are not acceptable, despite a doctor’s note. SAM: For the most part I’d agree with Helen, the lines do not appear too deep, but what is the depth of those 6 first tread marks!! RECOMMENDATION: This shoe is not approved for use in Canada. July 8, 2016 |
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UMPIRES’ COMMENTS: |
UMPIRES’ COMMENTS: |
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NW: This shoe has treads that are deep and do not qualify as “shallow” treads. The large number of treads around the perimeter of the sole are also a concern for potential damage to the green. The width and depth of the treads in the heel are the greatest concern, due to their depth and width. GC: I agree. HL: I agree. SAM: I agree with the others. RECOMMENDATION: This shoe is not approved for use in Canada. July 8, 2016 |
NW: This shoe has treads that are deep and do not qualify as “shallow” treads. The large number of treads around the perimeter of the sole are also a concern for potential damage to the green. The width and depth of the treads in the heel are the greatest concern, due to their depth and width. Also, the purple segments in the toe and heel actually protrude out from the sole. GC: I agree. HL: I agree. SAM: I agree with the others these are not acceptable RECOMMENDATION: This shoe is not approved for use in Canada. July 8, 2016 |
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UMPIRES’ COMMENTS: |
UMPIRES’ COMMENTS: |
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NW: This is an earlier version of an Asics show that has been approved for use by Bowls Australia. The sole is flat and smooth with no profound ridges around the perimeter of the sole. All surfaces that are in contact with the green have rounded edges. A bowler’s body weight is distributed over about 68% of the sole – this is near the minimum amount of contact area that should be acceptable. RECOMMENDATION: This shoe is approved for use in Canada. May 9, 2017 |
NW: This is a show that has been approved for use by Bowls Australia and is similar to the earlier Asics model – GEL Rink Scorcher 2. The sole is flat and has a slight pebble with no pronounced ridges around the perimeter of the sole. All surfaces that are in contact with the green have rounded edges. A bowler’s body weight is distributed over about 72% of the sole – this is acceptable. RECOMMENDATION: This shoe is approved for use in Canada. |
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UMPIRES’ COMMENTS: |
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NW: There are 3 lateral grooves that are similar to the shoes in Sample B, but these 3 grooves are shallower. I accept these shoes. GC: Two players playing in the Provincial tournaments this year presented this shoe for inspection. There was no issue with the sole of the shoe. HL: These shoes appear fine. SAM: I have no problem with these shoes. RECOMMENDATION: This shoe is approved for use in Canada. July 13, 2017 |
Asics GEL-Rink Scorcher 2
Aero (ComfitPro) Sprint
