Here's a tip of the hacker cap to a great old hack that you don't see nearly as much anymore: using a cut-off sock to make a Track-Bite Guard.

Nowadays, especially in big boats, the tracks are set a lot wider than in the past, but you used to see plenty of folks using the top part of an old sock to guard against the "track bites" you used to get from narrower gauge tracks. Of course, small boats still dole out their share of track scuffs and scrapes - and track nibbles are still the bane of bowmen in Empachers of a certain vintage ­ so there is still good work to be done out there for this hack.

It's a dead-simple DIY project: you cut-off the closed end of an old sock and slide it up to the danger spot at the top of your calves that makes contact with the tracks, just like a super-sized wristband. Since most other remedies for the track bite - like band aids or wrapping the front stops with tape ­ rarely make it through a full row, the sock “buffer” always seemed like the best bet… and a colorful enough donor-sock could really add some school-spirit flair to your rowing kit.

So, if you like to get through your rows cut-free, keep this hack in mind, especially if you are getting into smaller boats for your summer training.

Have a great trick that gets you through your workouts? Share your tips--and hacks--in the comments below.

Have a great rowing hack to suggest for future inclusion here? Send it to us!