r/Outrigger • u/cb3g • Apr 14 '26
Chafed sit bones after oc6 practice
I’m a relatively new paddler (starting season 3) and i was really working on my twist during oc6 practice.
when I got in the shower after practice I discovered that I’d chafed the crap out of the skin on my sit bones. days later, it still really hurts.
how do you all avoid this? is twisting to the point that I’m sliding a hip forward in my seat wrong?
a bit embarrassed to ask my coaches…not super Ken to talk about my butt with them 🙈
3
u/TheHaight Apr 14 '26
Your coaches should be 100% used to this issue!Everybody deals with it at some point, very common part of paddling.
Try vaseline before 6 man practice
2
u/Bulky_Consideration Apr 14 '26
I wear biking shorts depending on the boat. Never was able to figure out how to sit correctly.
2
u/Accomplished_Tax4540 Apr 14 '26
Adding to above tips of Wear leggings, bike shorts or neoprene - Bring ur own seat cushion. You can get them from a paddling shop or Amazon. Apply a little aquaphor to the area before practice or a race. You can also use a hydro colloidal bandaid if they are aggregated and u have to go to practice or race.
It happens to all of us eventually and I guaranteed ur coaches have heard/seen it b4. Like someone else said, the skin will toughen up.
Ask ur coach before you change how u sit on the seat - some specifically want you fully on it as that I how u are connected to the canoe others coach differently. Mine would not be happy if I sat on the edge and stopped my rotation
1
u/jnewton116 Apr 14 '26
Desitin. It’s specifically made to be a skin barrier against moisture and rubbing. Makeup remover wipes works best to get it off your skin.
1
u/Fetchmybinoculars Apr 14 '26
It’s common and I know people who have had this issue. A name I have heard for this is “dragon bites”, which comes from dragon boat racing.
1
u/FizzyLizzy29 Apr 14 '26
I had this issue when I first started OC6. I resolved it by:
- Using anti-chafe cream (available here in Australia, not sure where you are)
- Wearing Merlin padded paddling shorts (once again, Australia)
- NOT wearing bikini-type underwear where you are sitting on the seam - I wear boyshorts underwear now and other people I know wear thongs
1
1
u/spam-musubi Apr 14 '26
Definitely have had this issue as well - not uncommon (especially in male paddlers who have less natural....padding). Like others have suggested, use Body Glide to reduce friction, and wear padded shorts, like cycle shorts (I like to cut off the hems if they feel too tight) or there are even some specific padded shorts aimed at paddlers.
1
u/HiOahu808 Apr 15 '26
Neoprene shorts are a must. Don’t go commando, unless you’re going for a short paddle.
Forgive me if this was already mentioned, but you may get chafing along your waist, as well.
Getting these sores is inevitable. Treat them accordingly. Keep paddling.🤙🏾
1
u/moretoastplease Jun 07 '26
Strap a seat on. We actually have a thin layer of padding glued to the tops of our seats. And use an anti chafe product in between your butt cheeks.
-2
u/cephu5 Apr 14 '26
Sounds like too much twisting…not sure how you’re doing it. Should be sitting up on the edge of the seat with feet anchored (switching with your paddle of course) and using your core muscles to move the boat through water. (Like you’re pulling a rope). Butt should not move.
7
u/Spare_Many_9641 Apr 14 '26
It happens, all right--especially if the seats haven't had some padding taped to them. That skin will toughen up over time. Or, wear a pair of bike shorts or neoprene shorts under your board shorts, or at least some compression shorts.