Grodrik's nickname "heavy boots" comes from his previous occupation as a "gem-diver". To scout areas of precious stone mines immersed in water, Grodrik would be lowered down in specially weighted boots wearing breathing apparatus to evaluate whether or not the cave was wort draining to mine.

Grodrik trains in his extra-heavy diving boots, making him faster and more agile (for a dwarf) when he takes them off for a match, making him an obvious selection for blitzer.