Calf Cramps! Anybody got a solution?

[hankj]

Hi all

As I've gotten, ehem, older I've developed more and more trouble w/ calf cramps when riding. They happen to my when I'm riding almost all the time now - really a problem. It happens usually when I do cutbacks/tense my calves when riding.

A long time ago it was just at the end of long waves at the end of a long sesh if the water was cold, but now has evolved to nearly any strain on any wave at any time, and sometime when I'm just tired paddling.

I use the biggest-bladed Churchhill fins, the XL Makapuus. Could it be that these are hard on my calves and a smaller blade would create less strain and fatigue? I'm reticent to experiment since I've been in the Makapuus since the 70's ...

any advice from anyone w/ experience with calf cramps? Thanks

[Smokin Rock]

Midol

[Scott]

We had quite an extensive thread on this topic from awhile back. Leg cramps are the curse of kneeboarding for most of us, particularly those surfing in colder water locations. But standup surfers often suffer from cramps, too. Check this out:
viewtopic.php?t=2514&highlight=cramps

[Landlocked]

Smart Water works for me

[KEL]

bananas, coconut water.... anything high in potasium.........more water!!!!

[Mark Ramirez]

I found a product at a grocery store that is 100% natural. It's homeopathic
Hyland's Leg Cramps. It stops leg cramp pain, cramps in calves & feet,
cramps and pain in lower back, and pain in limbs & joints, it really works for
me!

[hankj]

thanks for the suggestions and that link to the other thread. I'll try everything (except the Midol - I ride for Pamprin so obvious conflict of interest).

Best,

Henry

[Smokin Rock]

Understandable Seriously try popping 3-4 naproxen sodium with lots of water before your surf. Unless of course your contract with Pamprin prohibits such things!

[Fossil Man]

The diet tonic water (avoid the sugar) always works great, especially in conjunction w/ a couple E-Mergency packets and lots of water. I'm 55 now, but I've always had a tendency to get radical leg cramps. Mostly when hopping up to knees or first bottom turn, sometimes very early in session depending on levels of hydration, rest, coffee, sugar. Nothing quite as fun as sucking foam in the impact zone while your legs are having a ''seizure'',... good times, good times.

[analbirth]

this may not apply to you but try not eating before you surf. If i eat before hand i always cramp up. If i don't eat i don't cramp.

[KneeBumps]

Agree with Landlocked- the SmartWater seems to work, with a banana or potassium supplement. Avoid coffee and any other diuretics if possible (good luck with that!)
BTW discovered that "Nursery Water" or "Baby Water"sold at pharmacies is the same as Smart Water (distilled water plus electrolytes) but only about a buck a gallon.

[El Kneelo]

Coffee is also very high in potasium. And works well as a wetsuit heater

Ian