Cramping in cold water...( north of Ventura, CA it's an average 49 degrees) TAKEN FROM SUFRLINE STORY, 2005 With our modern technology, medical advancements, and highly financed health care, it may surprise you to know that the exact cause of muscle cramping is unknown. How a muscle cramps is a technical discussion involving terms such as spindle fiber and ionic channels which you probably don't want to hear. The conditions muscle cramping has been linked to stretches from the sublime to the serious. The most common conditions associated with muscle cramping are fatigue, dehydration, and electrolyte depletion. Because your cramps seem to be happening at the end of your session all three of these issues come into play. Luckily, each one is relatively under your control. Always be aware of your level of exhaustion. As you fatigue you are more susceptible to injury and muscle cramping. When you are in cold water and your suit isn’t keeping you toasty your body will attempt to create heat by shivering which in turn increases muscle fatigue. Therefore if you find yourself trembling in the cold, invest in a new suit, or cut your session short (yeah right!). Dehydration has been strongly linked to muscle cramps. In our fast food, super size me world, many of us walk around dehydrated without even knowing it. An easy way to gauge your hydration level is to check the color of your urine. Clear means you are pretty well hydrated. Fluorescent colored urine, although entertaining, is usually a sign that you have not drunk enough water. To combat dehydration, make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. A 32 oz. coffee in the morning, big gulp Dr Pepper in afternoon, and a 6 pack of beer before bed, isn’t good hydration. 8-10 large glasses of water a day are a good start. If you weigh yourself after your session, know that for every pound of body weight lost, you need 20 to 24 oz. of fluid to replace it. As you lose water, you are also losing vital minerals (electrolytes, sodium, potassium) your muscles need for proper function. Depleting these electrolytes also leads to muscle cramping. Sport drinks before, during, or after a physical activity are quite beneficial. However, these beverages are mainly sugar water, and are not meant to be the mainstay of your fluid intake. If your muscle cramping continues especially in the absence of physical exertion, it is time to see your Doc. Muscle cramping is associated with some nasty illnesses including, circulatory problems, metabolic and hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficits, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal nerve irritation, spinal stenosis, Thyroid disease, cirrhosis of the liver, Diabetes, hypoglycemia, Anemia, and a partridge in a pear tree. If you have any doubt about your health, don’t put off seeking professional medical advice. Info from SurfLine.com