Hi,
I have a big red rubbing mark on the front of my right shoulder, basically the whole front of the delt, when I get out of the pool after a freestyle session.
Its rubbing off my jaw line stubble somewhere I think. Its been happening since I returned to swimming, (i stopped at 13/14 before stubble was an issue!). I want to address this issue now and I really thought about it while swimming last night and couldnt identify when exactly it was happening. I've tried shaving my jaw closer, to no avail. I think the contact is at some point in the downstroke or the catch anyway.
Has anyone else (guys obviously!) had this issue and solved it? Can anyone suggest a technical flaw that might be causing it and how to correct it. Might my hand entry be to close to the centre line?
thanks for any advice!
I use vaseline under my straps where they rub near my collar bone. It works great! If I forget to use it when I'm doing a longer workout and practicing breaststroke turns, I can feel (and see!) the difference! :bitching:
Former Member
I have one of those jobs where I rarely see clients in person so I have a tendency to not shave for a little longer than I should, but when I do I run into the same problem. My stubble burns a hole in my general shoulder region after a long freestyle workout.
The way I see it you have 2 options:
1. grow a mountain man beard
2. use a little body glide or some other swim lubricant on the spot that's chafing
I don't think it's a technical flaw necessarily, but after a few months the skin will toughen and you won't get a red mark anymore- but does that make you feel better, or worse ?
You may want to have someone watch your stroke or keep your head up to watch it yourself. It could be that you need a wider entry.
Former Member
I sometimes get it after a long Breaststroke sets..but not on freestyle any longer.
It might be caused by tucking you chin a little too much...just check on your head position while you swim.
:2cents:
Former Member
Thanks for the replies, there are a few things to think about when I swim next!
Former Member
I had the same problem after starting up from a long period of no swimming. If you can pull off having the chinstrap beard, it does help having the hair a little longer right on the rub area without having to have the full beard going.
Former Member
Not necessarily a flaw, but I think you can get rid of this issue by changing your stroke and not growing a soft, flowing beard. It's likely caused by the fact that your head is still turned while breathing to the right as your right shoulder comes forward. If you make a point of taking a quick breath and turning your face back into the water 1/2 second sooner, you shouldn't have this issue. One reason you may be pausing too long to breathe may be that you are finishing your exhale when you first open your mouth outside the water. I know that if I'm out of the water for a couple of months it's hard to get proper breathing at first. Make sure you have fully exhaled underwater so you can take that quick inhale and turn your face back into the water before your right shoulder recovery.
