problem

Question
Hi,

I'm a novice on a college crew, and so I went from no rowing to lots of rowing in a short span of time.  I have a recurrent problem when I use the erg, which is that I get blisters which then result in raw skin, which is very painful, on my behind.  They never have a chance to heal, because I am erging almost every day.  I can barely sit in a chair anymore.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Anon: Ouch! I had a similar problem with boils down there (I needed a prescription to fix it).  I also had nasty blisters on my hand from the oar handle.  Thirty years later, I still have scars from it.

Having a sore derrierre will make your rowing a moserable experience.  You got to get it fixed -- especially when you move onto the on-water workouts.  You think an erg seat is hard; a wooden seat on a boat is worse.

I suggest four things:

1) Ask your coach for some time off from the erg.  You can still workout and run and lift with your crew.  Give your blisters a few days to heal up.

2) What are you wearing? If you are wearing thin nylon shorts, they won't protect you from the great amount of friction your seat will experience in a workout.  Get a pair of padded shorts or try wearing 2 pairs of thisker shorts.

3) Go to the drugstore and look for either Triple ointment or a product in the baby section called "butt paste."

4) If it is really bad, you better see a doctor.  He might have a prescription that could fix you up.

Regards/AP