FINS!

[kirsty parsons]

I have set of Aqua lung Idea fins and find that whilst out diving I ALWAYS get cramp in my feet and or calf. Does anyone else have this problem and/or suggest what might be causing it?

[Steve Walker]

I have set of Aqua lung Idea fins and find that whilst out diving I ALWAYS get cramp in my feet and or calf. Does anyone else have this problem and/or suggest what might be causing it?

I doubt it's purely to do with the type of fins, try doing some calf stretching excercises before diving and make sure you're not overtensing the muscles as you fin. Oh.. and get some bananas down your neck, they're very high in potassium and cramps are said to be a result of low potassium in some cases.
HTH

[Nigel Hewitt]

>I have set of Aqua lung Idea fins and find that whilst out diving I ALWAYS get cramp in my feet and or calf. Does anyone else have this problem and/or suggest what might be causing it?

I used to be a victim of the classic diver's calf cramp. It was working a muscle cold. Quilted 'Booties' under the dry suit rather than just socks have made my 'demonstration quality' cramp release fade away as an unused skill.

I get it a bit now with freediving fins because they are so big but that seems to be going with practice.

nigelH

[Dominic Humphries]

I have set of Aqua lung Idea fins and find that whilst out diving I ALWAYS get cramp in my feet and or calf. Does anyone else have this problem and/or suggest what might be causing it?

I used to have that problem with Idea3s. Thought it was just me till I managed to give myself agonising cramp with a single kick.

Turned out I was over-tightening the straps. Left them a bit looser and the problem went away. For some reason, their design makes it easy to over-tighten without realising...

[kirsty parsons]

:=I have set of Aqua lung Idea fins and find that whilst out diving I ALWAYS get cramp in my feet and or calf. Does anyone else have this problem and/or suggest what might be causing it?

I doubt it's purely to do with the type of fins, try doing some calf stretching excercises before diving and make sure you're not overtensing the muscles as you fin. Oh.. and get some bananas down your neck, they're very high in potassium and cramps are said to be a result of low potassium in some cases.
HTH

Thanks for that I''ll have a go although hope I dont have to eat too many bananas!...anything has got to be better than cramp!

[kirsty parsons]

:=I have set of Aqua lung Idea fins and find that whilst out diving I ALWAYS get cramp in my feet and or calf. Does anyone else have this problem and/or suggest what might be causing it?

I used to have that problem with Idea3s. Thought it was just me till I managed to give myself agonising cramp with a single kick.

Turned out I was over-tightening the straps. Left them a bit looser and the problem went away. For some reason, their design makes it easy to over-tighten without realising...

Was beginning to think it as just me too and I do rather tighten the straps a lot I have to say due to the fear of lossing the bomming things!...however I think I might try them just a little less tight..cheers!

[Alex Coomes]

I rekon it is your fins causing ther problem Get yourself a pair of Scubapro jet fins (vv floppy split fins) they are not cheap but you will never want to use an ordinary set of fins ever again!
You can go on about potassium levels and stretchng your calf muscle for as long as you want but at the level of sport diving you are probably doing it will have mariginal effect The new fins however will transform your diving....
I recently took a friend to stoney for a training dive and we swapped fins. Within 20 seconds of him getting and before we even decended he wanted his own pair! I meanwhile had to put up with his Mares Avanti Planar fins (Not cheap) but they gave me cramp and I was cursing his name - get some Scubapro jetfins !! they are worth every penny!!!!!

[kirsty parsons]

Having been unable to resolve my problem with my fins, I did go out and buy a new pair but bought some Mares Avanti Quattro's. I spent a week diving in the Red Sea with these and didn't experience cramp once. To say I'm impressed is an understatement. So thanks to everyone for all the advice but I think from now on I will stick with the Mares!!