Boot fitting
Our boot fitters are fully qualified podiatrists!
Ned and his staff will be custom fitting new boots from an extensive range including Salomon, Head, Dalbello and Technica.
We will also have a range of boot fitting services available including custom molded orthotics/foot beds and liners, boot stretching, alterations, repairs, bio-mechanical alignments and heater installations for all those who feel the cold!
The team includes two fullly qualified podiatrists who have intimate knowledge about the anatomy, physiology and bio-mechanics of your feet when skiing and snowboarding. They take an experienced and well-educated approach to finding the best solutions to suit individual boot fitting needs on a case by case basis, backing this up with a full guarantee for two seasons on new boots purchased.
Some boot fitting talk by Dr Ned
Generally once a skier has taken the plunge and had a pair of boots fitted, they never look back. Ask any skier what they dread not having on a ski holiday, and they will invariably tell you: My Boots!
Custom fitted boots make a good skier ski like a dream. They can feel every nuance of the terrain and can get on the edge in an instant. This means they can tackle the most challenging terrain with confidence, and it’s the reason why good skiers rarely hire boots. For novice and intermediate skiers, the boots they are wearing are often the only things holding them back. Their instructor has been yelling at them to “bend zee knees” and “parallel” all week long, not realising they are spending a lot of energy trying to balance themselves at high speed in a pair of the ice-cream buckets. People often comment about the expense involved in a pair of ski boots and, yes, I admit it’s not super-cheap. However, in the context of the amount that is spent every holiday on airfares, accommodation, lift tickets and entertainment, a pair of boots is a one time investment. One that you can enjoy for many seasons before needing a new pair. Despite the advantages of skiing well, having your own boots usually means all-day comfort.
Having fit thousands of pairs of boots, the most common problems encountered are pretty simple; either the boots are the wrong size and shape for the skier, or the skier has a unique shape or condition and needs some customising to make their boot fit correctly.
Our Approach:
Our approach is fairly unique in that we combine our industry knowledge of current technologies and latest innovation in ski hardware with an intimate knowledge of the foot and leg in anatomical and physiological terms. Admittedly there are always going to be new challenges, and sometimes we just wont be able to provide the ultimate fix, however we will always try our best and this means that in the vast majority of cases, people come and get their boots fitted and then get out on the mountain and have a great time.
Mission Statement/ guarantee:
Our aim at Rhythm Boots is to provide the best available service and expert advise, and as such we will fully guarantee any new boot/foot bed combination for two seasons, meaning that you can return as many times as needed until we get the job done right. If on the rare occasion you have ended up with a dud pair we will endeavour to fit you into a new pair of equivalent standard without incurring any further charges.
Meet our Boot Fitters
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Ned Buckley: Owner/ Manager/ Podiatrist/ Master Boot Fitter/ BA, BPodM
Ned completed his Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine at The University of Western Australia in 2011. He was awarded the Dean’s Prize for Podiatric Medicine, having completed his degree with the highest aggregate score across all units of the Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine course.
Besides Ned’s medical qualifications, he has also completed extensive training programs in custom ski boot fitting, biomechanical alignment and orthoses manufacturing including training by Masterfit University http://masterfituniversity.com and Sidas http://www.sidassport.com in the USA, Australia and UK . Ned has also completed courses in mobilisation of the foot and lower limb, as well as acupuncture and trigger point therapy.
He has had a longstanding interest in sports-related podiatry having owned and managed Boot Solutions custom ski boot fitting operation in Niseko Japan since 2006 and having specialised in ski boot fitting in Australia, Europe, the USA and Japan since 2002.
Ned has extensive experience with Biomechanical assessment and alignment, boot customisation, and the manufacture of customized orthoses for skiing and snowboarding.
Ned has done many back to back seasons working in both hemispheres but now spends his off season working as a podiatrist at a private practice 'Momentum Sports Podiatry' http://momentumsp.com.au and 'SGB Podiatry' http://www.sgbpodiatry.com in Perth.
Ned is also actively involved in local Rugby and currently has a position on the Sports Medicine team at Asssociates Rugby Union football club in Swanbourne WA http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/associatesrufc/
Ned is a keen skier who has a special interest in backcountry skiing and touring as well as resort skiing. Ned has had the opportunity to explore resorts and backcountry access in different parts of the Australian Alps, the Swisse Alps, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Japan and recently, Alaska.
Get in touch with Ned on linkedin or email him at ned_buckley@hotmail.com
Lane Sanderson: Podiatrist/ Boot Fitter
Lane is a qualified Podiatrist (University of Western Australia) with several years working experience and a major focus on sports biomechanics-associated pathology. He is also on the path to becoming a Podiatric Surgeon, with 2 years remaining of a Doctor of Clinical Podiatry (UWA). Lane is more of a boarder than a skier but equally enjoys the disciplines and he enjoys bootfitting for both.
Lane has been a practicing Podiatrist in Australia for several years with a major focus on sports biomechanics-associated pathology. He is also currently furthering his knowledge of lower limb pathomechanics; undergoing a Doctor of Clinical Podiatry at the University of Western Australia.
Lane holds certificates in osteopathic techniques, trigger-point acupuncture therapy, and advanced orthotic manufacture. He has experience in paediatrics, biomechanics, high-risk care, orthotic manufacture and footwear modifications. He is also an active member of the Australasian Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.
Lane enjoys skiing and snowboarding, and is looking forward to taking an evidenced-based approach to bootfitting for both disciplines.
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