Calf Cramps! Anybody got a solution?

With the averge age of the kneeboarder these days this area should be used to post issues on health matters (surfer's ear, knee surgery, stretches, etc).

Moderator: Moderator

Post Reply
hankj
Local (More than 25 post)
Local (More than 25 post)
Posts: 85
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:54 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Calf Cramps! Anybody got a solution?

Post by 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
User avatar
Smokin Rock
Legend (Contribution King!)
Legend (Contribution King!)
Posts: 1068
Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2003 12:20 am
Location: downtown Kapaau

Post by Smokin Rock »

Midol :lol:
"This sucks more than anything that has ever sucked before." Butt-head
User avatar
Scott
Legend (Contribution King!)
Legend (Contribution King!)
Posts: 1244
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 5:36 pm
Location: San Jose, CA

Post by 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
I'm not influenced by the past; I change it!
Landlocked
Local (More than 25 post)
Local (More than 25 post)
Posts: 61
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2003 12:59 pm
Location: Mooresville NC

Post by Landlocked »

Smart Water works for me
KEL
Ripper (more than 100 posts)
Ripper (more than 100 posts)
Posts: 228
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:07 pm
Location: orangecounty

Post by KEL »

bananas, coconut water.... anything high in potasium.........more water!!!!
Mark Ramirez
Legend (Contribution King!)
Legend (Contribution King!)
Posts: 309
Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2006 3:58 pm
Location: La Jolla, Ca.

leg cramps

Post by 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! :D
hankj
Local (More than 25 post)
Local (More than 25 post)
Posts: 85
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:54 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by 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
User avatar
Smokin Rock
Legend (Contribution King!)
Legend (Contribution King!)
Posts: 1068
Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2003 12:20 am
Location: downtown Kapaau

Post by Smokin Rock »

Understandable 8) Seriously try popping 3-4 naproxen sodium with lots of water before your surf. Unless of course your contract with Pamprin prohibits such things! :lol:
"This sucks more than anything that has ever sucked before." Butt-head
Fossil Man
Ripper (more than 100 posts)
Ripper (more than 100 posts)
Posts: 156
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:53 pm
Location: Maui

Post by 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.
Kneeboarding since 1976; always searching for the ultimate sled, always in awe and grateful for the work of master craftsmen, Romanosky, Frye, Cleary, Mc Cray, Timpone, Ballestar, Minami, Hart.
analbirth
Legend (Contribution King!)
Legend (Contribution King!)
Posts: 902
Joined: Sun May 23, 2004 11:28 pm
Location: casuarina / kingscliff australia
Contact:

Post by 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.
once you've had black you'll never go back!!!
User avatar
KneeBumps
Legend (Contribution King!)
Legend (Contribution King!)
Posts: 333
Joined: Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:20 am
Location: Roaming the MidAtlantic coast

Post by 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.
"All I want in this life of mine is some good clean fun
All I want in this life and time is some hit and run"
Lowell George
El Kneelo
Local (More than 25 post)
Local (More than 25 post)
Posts: 25
Joined: Wed May 20, 2015 8:48 am

Re: Calf Cramps! Anybody got a solution?

Post by El Kneelo »

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

Ian
Post Reply