OK I’m getting pretty serious about competing at the Estes Park Highland games in the 190 lb beginner category in Colorado this Sept! This will be my very first outing for this and I would like to know what kind of shoes i.e. cleats and such, and kilt I should be looking at buying? I am very excited about this but would like to show up prepared and any advice is very welcome.
Thank you
Dan John could answer this.
Where in Wyoming are you? My friend and I train in Laramie and have all of the equipment. You should visit www.nasgaweb.com. It is a highland games site with lots of information and a forum with helpful people.
As for kilts, look at www.sportkilt.com. They sell inexpensive kilts that work well for highland games. Going this route will allow you to see if you like the games without spending $200-300 on a “real” kilt. Look at www.tanel360.com, for shoes. Tanel sells cleats and turf shoes with a circular cleat pattern that allows you to more easily spin when you throw. Not everyone wears these, some where normal cleats (I did this for two years), some wear a regular training shoe.
One more thing, the 190 lb. class is not the beginners class. The novice class is the C class. The C class is for first timers with little or no training. The 190 lb class can have very experienced throwers in it, that in some cases could hang with any class.
Good luck with your first games. Estes was my first games and I feel in love with the games.
Harley,
I am also in Laramie and interested in trying Highlands Games. I send you a PM.
Harly thank you very much for your advice! I sent you a pm with my email addy. BTW I am in Cheyenne so I would def. want to come and train with you guys!
Cowboy and Farve,
I pm’ed you with somemore information.
Harley
Regarding the kilt, if you are of Scottish descent, wear your family’s tartan. If not, don’t embarrass yourself, as alot of newbies do, by picking one that “looks nice.” There are tartans for those who have no family tartan, and a few professional tartans (like “Clergy” which I like to wear!). Select one of those.
I’ll ask my wife which are safe. She is of Scottish descent and grew up in Alma, Michigan. That’s “Scotland USA” for those who do not frequent Highland games.
Good luck! It’s tough, and I admire all who participate, or even try to, in such games.
Thanks again for the advice. Harley I got your PM I just need to respond and hopefully will be good to go! As for the kilt which ones are the tartens for me? I.E. not Scottish descent? Could you maybe list the poly kilts at sport kilt that would be good choices?
Thank you
Farve,
Don’t sweat the tartan too much. I feel that the throwing community at the games doesn’t care about what tartan you’re wearing, and if you’re part of that clan. I know of a few people who have several sportkilts and wear different tartans for each games they do. Just pick one you that you like.
Cool Harly thanks.