Quick question - having very recently acquired a wedding ring (by the
normal and traditional means <grin>) I find it not too comfortable when
sculling, with the generall feeling that maybe a blister or two are on
their way.
What's the general consensus - is it better to wear your ring when
sculling, of take it off for the duration of the outing ? I'm rather
reluctant to go taking it off, but also am none too keen on extra
blisters and the general finger mashing that seem likely to occur. Of
course, the ring may be a little on the loose side.
What do you guys do ? Might it be worth tightening the ring up a tad ?
Thanks,
Y.
Youra -
I could never row with a ring on - too much collateral damage to ring &
finger.
I always tied my wedding ring to my shoe-lace. It was almost a
good-luck charm. Then one day I was run down head-on by a bunch of
foolish women under an idiot coach whose 3 visiting crews he had racing
up our very narrow stretch, 2 of them on quite the wrong side of the
river. I heard them as they loomed round the inside of the bend &
bellowed, but they & he ignored me. I was so nearly skewered by the 4-
that it still keeps me loose to recall it. I dug in 1 blade & _just_
averted the kebab position.
Such was the impact, & such my anticipatory tension, that I took 1 shoe
& half stretcher with me as I flew over their 2 strokeside riggers.
The sad bit was that the ring my wife gave me at our wedding then went
to the bottom, or to who knows where, while I was busy saving myself &
avoiding the dummies in their trailing double - which tried to row
straight through the lot of us.
We haven't replaced the ring - how can you? But if my supposed secure
attachment point, which I'd used for over 30 years, came so
spectacularly unstuck, what would work better?
Cheers -
Carl
--
Carl Douglas Racing Shells -
Fine Small-Boats/AeRoWing low-drag Riggers/Advanced Accessories
Write: The Boathouse, Timsway, Chertsey Lane, Staines TW18 3JY, UK
Email: ca...@carldouglas.co.uk Tel: +44(0)1784-456344 Fax: -466550
URLs: www.carldouglas.co.uk (boats) & www.aerowing.co.uk (riggers)
Had a crewmate that wore hers and she eventually had to have it cut off due
to it becoming too tight. Her finger wasn't getting enough blood
circulation, was turning blue, was swelling, and the rowing was the reason.
My husband realizes my not wearing my ring is not a reflection on my
feelings for him.
Make it into a pendant?
Mine hasn't been off in 35 years. Never a bother once the callouses
hardened except have to ensure any dirt is cleaned out or it acts like
sand paper. 9 carat gold, so is harder wearing than 18 carat, and still
looks nearly like new.
Don't get it tightened as your fingers and knuckles will enlargen with
age.
Taniwha
Both my wife and I take ours off and leave them somewhere secure. I
also take mine off if I am doing manual work (I teach woodwork, work on
boats etc).
One sculler at my club used to wear his all the time and eventually
couldn't get it off because of the build up of calloused skin etc. He
had to get it cut off and repaired by a jeweler. He now puts in on a
thin leather strap neck lace (with his club key!) when he trains.
Both my wife and I, we row a 2x together, leave our rings secured when
we go rowing, or when we forget to do that I put them on the same
paracord that I keep a very loud whistle attached to, around my neck.
We've both left them on when rowing but found that the blister
underneath is not pleasant, and since it can be avoided easily, our
solution was obvious.
- Paul Smith
PS - I just got a new cap from JL that has a small zippered pocket
which would make another splendid temporary storage location, though in
an accident could turn out as Carl's shoelace did. OTOH, if the
lanyard left my neck, I'd suspect that something very bad had happened
to both of us.
Personally, I take it off for erging because it bothers me with the erg
handle, but have left it on for rowing this summer (admittedly a seldom
occurance this season unfortunately). It doesn't bother me (much)
while rowing/sculling. I can feel it, but I don't get a blister there,
and it doesn't bother me as much when rowing as when erging for some
reason.
My wife takes her engagement ring off quite often. She's in the
medical profession, and the stones get in the way, and/or tear the
surgical gloves she so often wears. She generally keeps the wedding
band on, which is a very thin plain gold band.
I'm still waiting for Mike Sullivan to chime in here. His solution is
best, IMO, and has to be quite flattering to his mate. ;^)
-KC
> What do you guys do ? Might it be worth tightening the ring up a tad ?
I deliberately got mine a size too big so that I can take it off when
rowing/sculling - didn't want to inadvertently end up like my Dad, who
would have to get cutters on his to get it off! Tend to leave it at
home somewhere safe (though I've got so many "safe" locations, I oft
forget which one I left it in!). My better half knows that it's just
for practial reasons also.
KC - I'm all agog !! - what does Mike do ....... ?
Youra.
Donal
(seriously though congrajulations)
http://weddings.about.com/cs/weddingbands/a/tattoorings.htm
There are at least two tattoo parlors within five blocks of my house.
Maybe I'll look into it more. I have had more than my fair share of
advances from women (and even a few men) at my club--and while that is
flattering, a wedding band (or tattoo of same) would be useful and
would save myself and the would-be admirer some embarrassment.
kourt
You're welcome to my idea.
I got my wedding ring tatooed on.
Mike