Rugged Shark is proud to announce their sponsorship of Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Ott DeFoe of Knoxville, Tennessee. Ott, in his first Elite series year, captured the 2011 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, as well as the 2011 Elite Series All-Star Championship. He was wearing the Rugged Shark® Tiverton flip flop in the All-Star victory.

“I am extremely excited about joining the Rugged Shark Pro team. I wore Rugged Shark shoes all during the 2011 season and believe the Tiverton flip-flops are the best pair you will ever find – period! Be sure to visit a Bass Pro Shops near you to try on a pair of those Tivertons! You will never find a flip flop with more support and better grip on the bottom than the Tiverton. In cooler weather I wear the Atlantic [boat shoes] and the Bill Dance Pro models.”

WOtt’s fishing resume includes a Career Tour Level winnings of over $625,000, a 4-Time consecutive FLW Championship qualifier, and 2008 FLW American Series Champion – Santee Cooper, just to name a few. For the 2012 season he will be fishing in the 8 Elite Series Events, the 2012 Bassmaster Classic, and 2012 Bassmaster Southern Opens.

“We’re very pleased to have Ott join the Rugged Shark Pro Team Staff along with Bill Dance Bradley Roy, and the Army Bass Anglers” says Mike Wilkes, VP National Sales Manager for Rugged Shark. “He exemplifies the sport, is an avid professional angler, and does numerous fishing exhibitions."

"Everything Rugged Shark represents focuses on the enthusiast angler and boater. We concentrate on building the most comfortable footwear in the industry by building product with Phylon mid-soles, removable comfort socks and non-mark non-slip rubber outsoles. The Tiverton that Ott wears is an example of a technical thong with a comfort foot bed that won’t tire the foot after hours on the water. Our technical apparel brings breathability, UPF and technical features to the market."

"All the best to Ott in 2012 and thanks for becoming a member of our team!”

The name of the game is Comfort.

Ask anyone who enjoys fishing (especially) or a boater about how their feet feel at the end of a long day on the water, and the answer ranges from “not comfortable” to “painfully numb”. Standing all day fishing, adjusting with the rocking of the boat or simply standing on shore requires a boat shoe that has comfort as its preeminent design feature. And those boat shoes cannot be just comfortable in a casual, "wear them around the house" way... No we're talking boat shoes that are COMFORTABLE in a technical, "cradle your feet" way... And you don't have to be a professional fisherman like Bill Dance to know that standing all day on your feet fishing can have negative consequences, not just for the comfort of your feet but also for your knees, hips and low back.

With this comfort focus, Rugged Shark has revolutionized the performance boat shoe in many ways by concentrating on providing cushioning and support systems in our boat shoe styles, (and our latest outdoor shoe styles), which help alleviate the stress points and provide all-day comfort – whether you’re fishing, boating or just enjoying life in Rugged Shark shoes.

Well-designed Rugged Shark boat shoes aside: there are some other ways that you can help increase comfort over a long day of standing. Because most people do not have a perfect center of balance, they tend to stand with most body weight on their heels, with locked ankles and knees to create "stability". Unfortunately, joint immobility leads to reduced blood flow through the feet, generating swelling – and reducing comfort – no matter how well-made and comfortable boat shoes you wear.

So how do you spend a great day fishing, and finish feeling comfortable?

• Be aware and keep your body weight more over your toes
• Don't lock your joints, but keep them slightly bent
• Let your body weight shift forward and back, left to right regularly
• Put weight on one foot and rotate the other ankle occasionally

And of course, it goes without saying: Wear some comfortable Rugged Shark shoes…

BILL DANCE RUGGED SHARK® BOAT SHOES

Few people have spent more time on the water than Bill Dance, professional fisherman, three-time Bass Angler of the Year, fishing book author and star of Bill Dance Outdoors, and what he has learned and demonstrates on Bill Dance Outdoors, can help make your fishing more enjoyable and productive. That’s why Rugged Shark teamed up with Bill Dance to develop the Bill Dance Professional Fishing Shoes - boat shoes designed with a foundation of comfort and a focus on boat shoe technology.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned,” Bill Dance stated without hesitation, “it’s that fishermen are tough people and their equipment has to be tough, too, but that shouldn’t mean they have to sacrifice comfort. While the average person spends a third of their life on their feet, fishermen spend more and great shoes not only make your feet feel good, they relieve stress on your legs and reduce pressure on your back. That’s why I know you’ll love my Bill Dance Pro Fishing Shoes on and off the water!”

Evidently, Johnny Morris founder of Bass Pro Shops agrees, as he recently called Bill Dance Shoes by Rugged Shark, "the Best Fishing Shoes in the World".

Rugged Shark is a premiere manufacturer of high performance boat shoes, slip-on waterproof boots, and outdoor shoes for casual wear and our goal has always been to provide the ultimate in comfort. Our collaboration with Bill Dance has produced a professional grade boat shoe that is as at home in a bass fishing boat as it is on the job or in a casual evening setting with family and friends. Bill Dance's professional grade boat shoes are sure to put a spring in your step, a smile on your face and maybe an extra fish or two in your live well. Once you put on Bill Dance Pro Fishing Shoes you won’t want to take these boat shoes off.

“My signature shoes are stylish, light weight, rugged and supremely comfortable,” promised Bill Dance, “and here’s why.” The Bill Dance Pro Fishing Shoe offers support without pressure points. It features the deep cushioning of an impact absorbing EVA midsole and the famous Shark Grip™ outsole, which has been modified to provide greater lateral stability and added flexibility in the forefoot and arch to relieve the fatigue that comes with long days in a boat. They offer unmatched wet surface traction regardless of the surface composition. The premium leather uppers are water resistant and the padded mesh panels let your feet breath while promoting fast drying when they get wet. An exclusive padded, double knit liner and tongue plus 360-degree lacing surround your feet in comfort and the removable, anti-microbial foot bed complete with activated charcoal completes what are, quite simply, the most complete fishing shoes ever made.

“If Bill Dance Pro Fishing Shoes aren’t your favorite boat shoes already,” said Bill Dance, “they will be the first time you spend a day in them. Wear them and you’ll be fishin’ longer with less fatigue!”

See the Bill Dance Pro Fishing Shoes available now and an extended new line of Bill Dance boat shoe styles coming in Fall. -- Bill Dance Professional Fishing Shoes are sold exlusively through Bass Pro Shops locations throughout the United States. Click here to find Where to Buy Bill Dance's Rugged Shark boat shoes at a Bass Pro shop near you.

Tiverton Performance Sandal by Rugged Shark®

Not all sport sandals are created equal and one look at the Tiverton Performance Sandal by Rugged Shark and you know these aren’t your sister’s flip flops.

Created to provide support, traction and comfort for active boaters and fishermen, the Tiverton Sandal is built for all-day comfort on the water. When you’re not fishing or boating, these comfortable sandals are equally at home walking the beach, boardwalk or enjoying a cool evening at your favorite watering hole.

The Tiverton sandals feature the ultimate traction outsole for wet or dry surfaces, our famous Shark Grip™ bottom. The combination of our non-marking rubber compound treads are enhanced with a pattern of channels that guide water out from under your feet. That means you can be confident your feet will stay where you put them on deck, land or submerged.

The molded arch is studded with our exclusive Shark Teeth for extra grip on uneven surfaces whether your fly casting on a rocky stream bed, pulling a lunker from your secret spot or climbing a cockpit ladder to the flybridge while running offshore. The Tiverton’s midsole and foot bed is molded from a single layer of super light weight Phylon, known for its cushioning and shock absorbing properties. The surface is contoured and lightly grooved to conform to your feet while providing a secure platform with a modest degree of ventilation to keep your soles dry.

The Tiverton is an active man’s sandal that is ready for whatever adventures you planning in the sun and water, or on the town.