Cramp whilst racing/sailing

I had a monster attack last night on the first reach, I can't say it's just a recent problem because I remember getting a serious bout during the 1st round of the Windsurfer National series in Hythe in May of 1978.

Another of the chaps I race against on the lake also got turned around and handed me his position thanks to a nasty spasm a couple of weeks back.

So, anyone else suffer? Anyone got any pet cures, advice?

Edited by iGRF - 16 May 14 at 4:05pm

Normally I get cramp after a good beat then promptly loose places with trying to unknot my calf muscles. Not good for boat speed standing up wobblying about trying to straighten my leg.
My patent cure as a Phantom sailor is eat more pies drink more beer.
maybe I should change to gin and tonic hasnt that got something good in it for cramp?

Originally posted by gordon1277 maybe I should change to gin and tonic hasnt that got something good in it for cramp?

I thought it was good for malaria?

Cramp is very often caused by lack of electrolytes.  If I dont keep up my fluid levels in warm weather I get awful muscle cramps because some medication I have to take saps my electrolyte level.  So the recovery fluid joke is pretty close to home.  Less coffee and tea during the day, more squash or water or expensive sugary crap.  How can a finely tuned afflete such as yourself not know this Greeme?

I am neglecting to ask Jim if he ever gets cramp in his front legs because that joke has been done before.

Ive been lucky to only have a few cramps in my whole life. They were limited only to my calfs and I felt it building and found that getting up and moving cured it within seconds. My main drink of choice (when not consuming alcohol) is orange squash and as Nessa said its a much better choice than tea or coffee or even water. Amazingly you can dehydrate by drinking too much water.
Chest pains are often the result of snagging a nerve with your ribs. Normally a few deep breathes clears the problems, again I've suffered from it but usually not on the water.
When on the water the adrenaline kicks in and I feel no pain :)