Deck Pad or general flat water paddeling is killing my feet

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Permalink Reply by Dazman on October 22, 2008 at 12:39am

Hey Marko is it like a cramp in the arch of your foot
Regards Daz

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Permalink Reply by Glen Barroncini 'gjbsup' on October 22, 2008 at 5:48am

Marko
Try moving your feet some while paddling. I too use to get cramps and numbness on my 2-3 hour paddles. I started to roll the board, do some kickturns, shuffle the feet and walk a bit. Wiggle your toes and get on your tippy toes some You need to get the blood flowing to the feet. The tacky sticky pint deck may be forcing you to move a bit ,thus your not cramping up. The padded SUP feels so good and soft that you dont move as much or at all Then you maybe cramping. Try this on your next go out.. Mahalo Glen

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Permalink Reply by stoneaxe on October 22, 2008 at 7:24pm

I agree with Glen. We did a lot of long distance training for the CCBC and the CCBC itself was 7 hours. The key is to switch stance often. I used to get a lot of cramps and foot pain. When paddling flat water I go from parallel to staggered to goofy and walk around a bit as well. Good practice anyway to move around.

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Permalink Reply by Angie on November 16, 2008 at 6:45am

Perhaps just take a break and sit down or perhaps wear shoes.....or both! :)

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Permalink Reply by Marko on November 16, 2008 at 1:12pm

I tried shoes, thety are a must due to the crap sticking out of the sand.

Taking breaks hmm I giess I could try that ..

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Permalink Reply by dhaluza on January 13, 2009 at 6:01pm

I don't use a deck pad, but I often get the cramping in my feet. It usually happens after 1/2 hour, then 1 hour, then 2 hours, and then not so much. To relieve it, I just walk on the beach, or walk the board in shallow water. You can also knee paddle for a while if you're not near shore.

I just realized it's not happening much now that it's the dead of winter here on L.I. and I'm wearing 5mm booties. I just went for a 2 hr paddle, and no probs. Maybe soft shoes rather than a soft deck helps?

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Permalink Reply by Dennis O'Kane on September 30, 2009 at 12:48pm

I have used my reef sandals. they help also.

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Permalink Reply by David on October 18, 2009 at 3:41pm

You will learn to relax your feet more if it's a tense or cramping thing.. but if it's more the hardness of the board thing I use Crocs on most long flat water paddles and they're sooooo cumfee.. I recomend them because of their soft sole.

David

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg9/djp-1/PB300162Medium.jpg

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Permalink Reply by Jill Johnson on October 25, 2009 at 9:37am

Although probably not something you want to do, but you may want to wear open-air-mesh gym shoes with some arch support (or good outdoor sandals with arch support). I see quite a few people do it who are going for long periods of time. You have to consider that you are standing still for over an hour and your feet hold you onto the board, so they will become fatigued. Happy paddling!

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Permalink Reply by CHIRO Tony Peters on September 22, 2011 at 8:32am

I use Vibram "shoes". However, composite SUP's (like surfboards) can be hard on your feet. Composite typically means a hard fiberglass shell.  I like our inflatable SUP (Airlite HD) for this reason. Its got a little give since its made of whitewater rafting material (double layered for safety and durability). So your feet have more give into the board. And its easier on the knees as well :)

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Permalink Reply by Epic Surf Racks on November 20, 2011 at 12:08pm

That would be to the muscles in your feet being overworked due to the resistance in plantar flexion.  Like others have said switch your stance, take a break, or pull your foot up and rotate each foot in small circles to enable active stretching.  It would be wise to stay away from static stretching as this has a tendency to deactivate muscle fibers of which are being stretched, and thus cause cramping later in areas that may be overcompensating (i.e. antagonist muscle groups.)  Be sure when you go home to put your board on an SUP Rack to prevent dings, and taking water in; and don't forget to smile!  Cheers.

 

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