Hi all,
I recently finished building and installing the sliding seat rowing system to convert a sailing canoe into a sliding seat rower. From my brief experience with sliding seat rowing/sculling, I always rowed in socks without shoes. I find that the included concept2 foot holders create a lot of friction on my heels and lead to blisters. Is evreryone else wearing shoes? Or is there a hack to avoid heel friction for those of us "socks only" rowers? Thanks for any insights!
I also had this issue on my most recent trip. It got so bad after a week or so that rowing became almost excruciating. I purchased some fixed "heel cups" that can be found online at durham rowing and some padded wakeboard straps, instead of the adjustable rowing machine setup. I figured I don't need the adjustability as I am the only one rowing, and I like being able to jump in the boat and slide my feet in and go without fiddling with any straps. Especially useful during takeoff in surf. I haven't gone on a long enough trip to see if this will work on the long term but I will definitely be bringing shoes as a backup!
@Adam Riley Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely look into the Durham heel cups and wakeboard straps.
This is for a different boat with a different primary use, but I experimented with several options when I built a DIY sliding seat rowing frame for a skin on frame wherry (Dave Gentry's "Ruth"). I used a mix of new supplies and parts cannibalized from an ancient Oarmaster 1 and a dying rowing shell. Heel cups with and without toe straps on little individual foot platforms, etc. What worked for me in the end was a simple one-piece, angled foot rest with webbing loops that replaced the heel cups, with no toe straps. The straps attach at the top of the foot board, and there is a wide cam buckle at the the top center to adjust how far the loops hang, and I rest my heels in the 1" wide straps near the bottom of the board. The board is okoume marine plywood sanded smooth with a not-slippery finish. I have used it barefoot, in hiking and cycling socks, and in neoprene socks or booties depending on the weather and launching situation. I don't think this would work in rough water, but my Ruth isn't seaworthy in rough water anyways, and it was good for doing laps on lakes on calm days. I tried and did not like heel cups or rough, grippy platforms even though I had used those for years with other boats.
@Paul Hook Just a thought that might or might not be applicable to on the water rowing but as a long term C2 model B rower I row without straps. It takes some getting used to but prevents the temptation to pull on the straps to slide to the "catch". However, when I had an issue with a clutch slipping it resulted in some entertaining spills when pushing hard🤣
@Paul Airey Definitely. There is a technique to it, especially on the return slide. I imagine it could go sideways (figuratively) if you were really trying to move hard and quick, but I didn't attempt that. Ditto on my indoor Waterrower. I guess I am not that competitive anymore. Or just lazy.
@Paul Hook Thanks! I also like the idea of the single loops with nylon webbing for supporting the heels. It sounds like I will need to do a little experimentation to see what works best.
