I seem to get cramp/pain in my feet whenever I paddle more than about 1km. I don't get any cramp/pain when I am padding out and catching waves.

When I was in Hawaii recently I stayed at a hotel that wasn't right on Waikiki and so had to paddle about a km to the break at Waikiki to surf. By the time I was getting to the break my feet were cramping/sore and I had to sit down and rest before starting to catch waves.

Has anyone else had anything like this?
Is it because I am still a relative newbie and my feet are working hard for balance?
What exercises can I do to try and get rid of this?

Brad

Lie down

Yes it's because you are in the learning stage trying to grip with your toes , try to relax your feet but if they start to really burn just sit down for a minute and wiggle your toes , it will pass pretty quick.

Stretch your calves on a set of steps this also helps the arch of your foot.

Rob

Tux said...

doggie said...

Lie down

Weird...I just assumed you would like them bent over

Wot the crocs

I used to have the same problem when I started paddling some distance. This was about 4 months ago.

I had been surfing SUP for a few years and thought I was past the pain side.

2 things helped me immeasurably:

1/ Got a longer paddle. Standing up straight gets your weight off your toes. You should be able to lift your toes completely off the board and apply pretty much the same amount of power. Try doing that if you're hunched over like that bloke from Nottredame. This also removed lower back pain.

2/ Worked on my technique. Still doing this every day. I have seem some real advancements of the approach to paddling SUP of late, the fast guys are getting faster every day and fatiguing way less. I remember Angie saying that it was hard to re-learn 3 years of bad habits. You should see her now, paddling like a machine! My own technique is still awful but I am trying to rectify this every day by watching, listening and learning from the good guys.

Worked for me, hope it helps.

All

Thanks for all the helpful responses - they are really appreciated.

Brad

wiggle your toes and legs to keep the blood pumpin down there while your paddling

at regular intervals

You could also try a thicker deck pad in the area of your stance especially for long periods on flat water.

My Bark 14 deck pad is quite thick for a touring/downwinder board. Has a nice triangular shape and moulds nicer to your fet than a thin deck pad.

May make the board slightly heavier but long periods of time more comfortable.

Thanks Rosscoe, here is the article from standupzone:

www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=4905.0

JonathanC's response is about half way down the first page.