saddle sores

[Kevin L.]

Does anyone have any ideas for preventing the discomfort resulting from a fairly long row in a fixed-seat pulling boat? I typically row 4 - 6 miles when I go out, although it is not as often as I would like. I purchased a pair of rowing shorts to see if they would help (which are really nice because they don't stay wet after I swim off the boat), and they do prevent the blistering that I have experienced from chafing in my bathing suit or regular shorts. I still get very sore though, and I am thinking about modifying the shorts by sewing some chamois or some neoprene onto the seat. The chamois would not cushion much, but could be lubed to allow for some sliding on the thwart, while the neoprene might cushion more. Any thoughts on which might be better? Also, as I mentioned, I don't get to row as much as I would like, but maybe if I could go more frequently I would "toughen up" and this issue would resolve itself. Any feedback from rowers, fixed-seat or otherwise, would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Joe Dupere]

I'm running into the same problem now that I'm consistently rowing more than 3-4 miles. John Welsford has an article in the last issue of "Messing About in Boats" about setting your boat up to row comfortably. There are two things I remember specifically. The first is to have foot rests built so that your heels are about 6" below the seat and spread about shoulder width. He says that this will allow you to support your weight with your hamstrings rather than your butt. He also says he made a pad out of an old life jacket, cut holes for the pelvic bones and pad it with a sheepskin.

I was out for a 10-11 mile row on Sunday and at about 7-8 miles my butt was hurting badly. I had to sit on my lifejacket which helped tremendously, but it kept sliding around.

My boat does not have footrests so I think I'm going to be working on that this winter, and in the meantime, I'll try a cushion.

Hope this helps.
Joe

[*LB]

Hi Kevin,

I'm no expert, but I have a couple thoughts based on my own experience. First, my butt has become conditioned to rowing the more I row. The first few long rows I did it was my soar butt that made me want to quit, not my tired arms. After putting in some more time in the boat that problem has disappeared.

After fooling around with several forms of butt padding I found the most comfortable and versatile solution was to simply sit on a PFD boat cushion. I found that thinner forms of padding didn't help much after an hour "in the saddle", they also tended to bunch up and move around a lot during rowing. The boat cushion stays right in place and provides a LOT of cushioning. The boat cushion will prop you up a couple more inches in the boat and you may have to adjust your rowing slightly, but I find I like the higher position and I'd probably want to sit on the cushion regardless of its posterior benefits.

I think there's a good chance any type of lubrication will cause more problems than it would solve. Moisture, including sweat, leads to sliding and increased friction which is the cause of blisters in a lot of activities (I learned early on to keep my oar handles dry while rowing because wet hands = blisters). I'd suggest going with light, cool, breathable shorts and flipping your pad to the dry side if it gets sweated up.

[Donn]

Believe it or not, but rowing cushions date back to the days of galley slaves. They were leather, but I can't remember much else about the design. There was an article on the Technology of Ancient Greek Rowing in the May 1996 issue of National Geographic. Mine is packed away in storage, but if you are a subscriber, you may have saved it. If not, you can download it <a href= "http://www.sciamdigital.com/browse.cfm?ITEMIDCHAR=3E924E28-23FC-4521-8A93-5C0FEFDEBBF&methodnameCHAR=&interfacenameCHAR =browse.cfm&ISSUEID_CHAR=C9473F67-639C-468A-A653-482F7B120FD&ArticleTypeSubInclude_BIT=0&sequencena meCHAR=itemP">here</a >.

[ 10-07-2005, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: Donn ]

[Donn]

[Alan D. Hyde]

If your boat is suited to it, then you can row standing up and facing forward.

It's much more agreeable. And your backside will likely be better for it.

When I was a boy, that's how many of the old-timers rowed.

Alan

[Kevin L.]

Thanks for the ideas. I have previously tried a PFD boat cushion, but the increased height interferes with my recovery stroke. I wish I knew a little more about rowing when I built this boat, as I could have built taller mounting blocks for the oarlock sockets. It sounds like I will have to give some serious thought to making a rowing pad, but one with a lower profile than the commercially available boat cushions. I guess I could also get longer oarlocks cast so this would not be a problem, but I would like to find the simplest and most economical solution. I will think about adding foot blocks as well this winter.

[Kevin L.]

Thanks Alan, I can't really comment, as I have never rowed standing up, but I really like rowing seated and backwards otherwise. I prefer using the pulling motion as opposed to pushing though the water, but it would be interesting to try.

[Donn]

AHA!! Here's just the thing. A SKWOOSH:

<img src= "http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000A3I7IY.01-A31EVIUXMCM3R3._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg">

Pic is from Amazon, and the company makes other varieties.

Edited to add manufacturer's website

[ 10-06-2005, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: Donn ]

[Kevin L.]

Wow! Thanks Donn! That does look like it would work, and at only 1/3" thick it would not interfere with my rowing. I'll have to try it and report back to everyone.
- Kevin

[Donn]

Yes, please let us know. I row a big old fiberglass skiff with an outboard on the back, and frequently have to use Alan's stand-up technique. It works well enough, but my pull stroke is much stronger than the push stroke, and stability goes to hell standing up.

[Steve Lansdowne]

If chafing is your problem, a bit of vaseline placed strategically between the butt cheeks will do wonders (from one who knows).

[Kevin L.]

Thanks for the suggestion Steve, I'll keep that in mind. I no longer experience chafing with the rowing shorts, but rather a deep tissue soreness in and under the "butt bones" that lasts for several days.

Edited to add: I purchased the pad pictured above in Donn's reply, the X-treme Paddling cushion (10" x 15" x 0.5"). They also make a rowing cushion (8" x 12" x 0.33") which seemed a little too small, and an even larger paddling cushion (13" x 16" x 1"). As I mentioned, I'll post my experiences with the cushion after I receive it.

Thanks again everyone for all of your helpful comments and suggestions.

[ 10-07-2005, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: Kevin L. ]

[Joe Dupere]

Originally posted by Kevin L.:
Thanks for the suggestion Steve, I'll keep that in mind. I no longer experience chafing with the rowing shorts, but rather a deep tissue soreness in and under the "butt bones" that lasts for several days.

Actually, I forgot to mention, I also row on an erg when the weather keeps me off of the water, and I was having the same problem with sore butt bones. I tried a towel and it would work up to a certain distance, but after that I'd still get pressure on the butt bones. So I bought a couple of 3/8" rowing pads from Concept2 for $2.90 each. They have adhesive backing and I just stuck the two of them together back to back. They work like a dream. Now, if I could just remember to take it out of my gym bag before I hit the water.....

Joe

[Kevin L.]

That's a great tip Joe, thanks. Two of those would be quite a bit less expensive than the cushion I just ordered. If the cushion I ordered doesn't work out as well as I hope, I will try those. Glad they work well for you. At $5.80 for two, I would be tempted to buy another set to keep in the boat, and never forget them when you need them. Small price to pay to ensure an enjoyable row on the water.
- Kevin

[Kevin L.]

Hi all,

I received my cushion Wednesday, and tried it out this morning during a quick 4 mile row. I am very pleased. Not only was I much more comfortable (no soreness to speak of), but my rowing was greatly improved. I maintained a speed almost 1/2 mph faster than usual, and yet it seemed easier as I was able to put more of my back into it, whereas before any rocking on the thwart would have really killed my butt in no time. The non-slip bottom stayed put without moving. I will use it again during a longer row this weekend, maybe 8 miles or so, and I am optimistic. I wish I could compare it to Joe's Concept2 pad, which sounds like a great bargain. Now that I understand the practical importance of rowing cushions, I will see if I can get that Scientific American article that Donn mentioned from the library to learn a little more about their historical significance. Thanks again everyone.

- Kevin