Surfing Waves

Hey guys and girls,

I am new to the forum and have been surfing my entire life but I have always been plagued with crazy boardshort rash (when I am fortunate to surf warmer waters). Mostly from waves that require a lot paddling and sitting and paddling.
I first tried to get the fancy tech boardies and those worked for a little but eventually the groin rash continued. The rashes are caused by going from prone to sitting position and get rubbed pretty good on the inside of my thigh.
My solution previously has been to swap out boardies each session and keep the rash from starting, because once it begins it can be a real pain in the groin. I think I stumbled on a solution and so far so good. I have been on an extended surf trip (2+ months) in Puerto Rico and decided to try these things called "board short" liners. I wear them under my boardies and you can' even see them. (I fear looking like a kook with underwear under my boardies). I saw some boogies wearing something under their boardshorts and thought to give them a try for surfing. I stumbled on these: http://www.originalwatermen.com/waterme ... iners.html
The "Boardshort liners" have been giving me no troubles as they are claimed to be "rash free" on the site and even provide me a little added warmth on cold windy mornings.
It would seem that the other types "jammers" and such are too constricting and would choke my sock and potatoes?

Has anyone else tried this or something similar?
This seems to be the end to the pesky pecker rash for me!

What are your thoughts, or is this an old topic?

Now we just need a cure for nipple rash!

-SurfingMonkey

The only type of rash or rubbing problem I have had (other than nipple rash) has been infected hair follicles on the back side of my legs where it rubs when I sit on the board. My solution has been to wash the backside of my legs with antibacterial soap if there is any small tiny little bit of rash in that area and apply antibacterial ointment to those rash areas immediately ....no waiting to see what happens. I have multiple pairs of board shorts so I wash them after every use also just in case you aren't already doing this.

Most of the time the rash is caused by wax on the board. So you either cover up that part of your leg or make sure there is no wax there

Oddly now I surf a much wider board so don't have wax on the edge so maybe why I no longer get that problem .........that and I don't surf for 6 hours at a time.

Why worry about looking like a Kook because you have board short liners that no-one can see.
If they want to look under your board shorts it is entirely another problem.

As for the cripple nipple rash , wear a rash shirt, put a little vaseline, or preferably a non petroleum based gel on your nipples, be aware though vaseline dissolves wetsuits and creates havoc if it gets on your board.
Talcum after thoroughly drying the areas concerned helps too.
You may also have just plain old jock itch ( tinea corpus) which would require an antifungal cream.
Tropical surf zones are the worst because you add all the fungus food in your perspiration.
Dry thoroughly, go commando under a sarong, good Indonesian remedy.
Another remedy, nappy (diaper) rash creams.

I have the same problem. 2 things you can do...first wear a pair of fitted boxers under your boardies. I bought a couple pairs of Puma brand and Adidas for 5 bucks a piece and they solved the problem. Secondly, Gold Bond powder or cream will work wonders when you do get chaffed if you opt to not wear anything under the boardies. A tiny little bit of heaven sprinkled onto your nads after a session makes it all good!

These 2 tricks have solved my issues completely. And like others have said...who cares what people think if they catch a glimpse of your boxers under your trunks...I'll choose function over fashion any day!

Andy

"I see London. I see France. I see a surfer's underpants!"

Let's take this whole thing one step further; surf cold very cold water, no,rash just two new lumps in your throat on initial immersion!

jaffa1949 wrote:Why worry about looking like a Kook because you have board short liners that no-one can see.
If they want to look under your board shorts it is entirely another problem.

As for the cripple nipple rash , wear a rash shirt, put a little vaseline, or preferably a non petroleum based gel on your nipples, be aware though vaseline dissolves wetsuits and creates havoc if it gets on your board.

Suncreens and nipple rashes, and wax don't mix too well, but I tried the rashguards and regular tee shirt and keep swapping those out and it seems to be working great. I almost have some good scar tissue now to keep the rashes at bay.
Thanks for the help on nipple rash! I will try some of these smelly creams next time out. The tropics are a brutal place and have been brutal on my sensitive areas glad I found your help. As far as an update goes with the board short liners...the watermen shorts are working great for rashes and warmth.
Good tips folks thank you.

Board shorts are too long are restrictive on top of giving a rash. Why not try speedo shorts? They have undie lining inside, are not as long or tight as boarders therefore won't rub the crap out of your legs. Or wear footy shorts (Aussie rules football shorts) and a pair of undies like I do.
As for the top half, just wear an old singlet, like a Bintang singlet, works a treat.

jaffa1949 wrote:Dry thoroughly, go commando under a sarong, good Indonesian remedy.

Hahahaha good old Indonesian sarongs

Hello there,

Surf rash is caused by the friction of the wet boardshorts and the skin. The skin is weakened by the repeated chafing of the fabric and irritation caused by the abrasive action of the salt contained in seawater. Friction with the surfboard rails and wax, while sitting on the board, can make things worse. The skin becomes red and painful. Red bumps appear, and sometimes superficial wounds show up. Surfers start walking like cowboys, and each session can be torture.