How to Prevent Rowing Blisters: Protect Your Hands
Rowing is one of the toughest sports on your hands. Repeated contact with the oar can create friction, hot spots, and painful blisters that can interfere with training and racing.
The good news is that rowing blisters can often be reduced by protecting high-friction areas before they become a problem. Proper grip, hand care, and athletic tape can all help protect your hands while still allowing you to maintain direct contact with the oar.
Eucatape is a eucalyptus-infused cotton athletic tape designed with rowers in mind. It can be applied to common friction points on the fingers and hands before rowing to help protect areas that are prone to rubbing and blisters.
Why Do Rowers Get Blisters?
Rowing blisters are primarily caused by repeated friction between your hands and the oar handle. Moisture from sweat or water, long training sessions, and gripping the oar too tightly can increase that friction.
Certain areas of the hands tend to take more abuse than others, especially the fingers, the base of the fingers, and parts of the palm. Once you know where your personal hot spots develop, you can protect those areas before a blister forms.
One of the most effective strategies is to address friction early rather than waiting until your hands are already sore.
How to Prevent Rowing Blisters
Preventing rowing blisters usually comes down to reducing friction while keeping a comfortable, controlled grip on the oar.
Keep your grip relaxed. Gripping the oar too tightly can create unnecessary friction and pressure on the hands.
Protect known hot spots. If you regularly develop blisters in the same places, apply athletic tape to those areas before rowing.
Keep your hands as dry as possible. Excess moisture can soften the skin and make it more susceptible to friction.
Take care of your hands between sessions. Give irritated areas time to recover and avoid picking or tearing damaged skin.
For rowers who prefer tape instead of gloves, Eucatape can be applied directly to high-friction areas while leaving the rest of the hand uncovered.
Where Should Rowers Put Tape on Their Hands?
The best places to apply rowing tape are the areas where you regularly experience rubbing, tenderness, or blisters. These spots vary from rower to rower, but commonly include the fingers, the base of the fingers, and high-friction areas of the palm.
Instead of wrapping the entire hand, apply tape only where you need protection. This helps reduce friction while still allowing you to feel and control the oar.
For best results, apply athletic tape before rowing to clean, dry skin and pay attention to where hot spots tend to develop during longer training sessions.
Rowing Tape vs. Rowing Gloves
Both rowing tape and rowing gloves can help protect your hands, but they work differently.
Rowing gloves cover a larger portion of the hand and create a barrier between your skin and the oar. Athletic tape allows you to protect specific high-friction areas while leaving most of your hand uncovered.
Many rowers prefer tape because it allows direct contact with the oar while adding protection exactly where they tend to develop hot spots or blisters.
Ultimately, the best choice comes down to personal preference. If you want targeted protection without covering your entire hand, rowing tape may be a good option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rowing Blisters
Should I tape my hands before rowing?
If you know where you typically develop hot spots or blisters, applying athletic tape before rowing can help protect those areas from repeated friction. Apply the tape to clean, dry skin and make sure it isn't wrapped so tightly that it restricts movement.
Can I row with a blister on my hand?
If you already have a blister, protecting the area from additional friction can make rowing more comfortable. Avoid placing adhesive directly over an open or broken blister. If the area is painful, bleeding, or showing signs of infection, give it time to heal and seek medical advice if needed.
What is the best tape for rowing blisters?
Look for an athletic tape that stays securely in place, conforms comfortably to the fingers and hands, and provides protection without making your grip bulky. Cotton athletic tape is a popular choice because it can be applied only to the areas that need protection.
Eucatape is a eucalyptus-infused cotton athletic tape designed for rowers and can be applied to common hot spots on the fingers and hands before training or racing.
Protect Your Hands With Eucatape for Rowing
Eucatape for Rowing is eucalyptus-infused cotton athletic tape designed to help rowers protect high-friction areas of their hands. Apply it to the fingers, palms, or other areas where you commonly develop hot spots before training or racing.
Protect the areas that need it while maintaining direct contact and feel for the oar.