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Thanks, all!
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I do some work with a brand called Cwench, owned by the original founder of Biosteel (before it was sold and then went bankrupt). Canadian owned, and made here in Ontario.
PaPaddler wrote:
Not to hijack the thread, but what is the need for additional electrolytes while tripping? Is it a gung-ho tripping style like a marathon/race where you don't have time to stop and eat a meal or drink water?
I understand what electrolytes are, the question isn't 'why electrolytes', but what is their purpose as a supplement beyond your normal diet?
And apologies in advance for our government.
PaPaddler - Depending on the person, it can be difficult to retain hyrdration levels during high energy exertion (usually when sweating a lot). If our system is lacking of salt, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium etc., it's extremely hard to re-hydrate by just consuming regular old water. I find hydration tabs useful, especially if I'm out with the family working double time on the portages/at camp, or spending 12 hours on the river checking every fish hole and forgetting to drink water/eat lunch haha.
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When tripping I often experience leg cramps which I know can be helped with by hydration. But I also usually experience tingling and swelling in my fingers and hands, especially when sleeping. If more hydration can help with that then I'll give it a try. I always assumed it was because I was gripping the canoe paddle too tightly for too long.
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Solos, I get tingling in my hands (not just tingling, but some minor pain and a feeling of my hands not having adequate blood supply) and believe it is related to 'tennis elbow' or tendonitis in my forearm and elbow. That condition is exasperated by repetitive gripping activities like splitting wood and paddling. I don't know if the swelling is related, but it's possible you have a similar physical reaction. The swelling is a bit unusual though and doesn't align with forearm/elbow tendon swelling.
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carpal tunnel has symptoms like you mentioned above ,, repetitive motion , grasping and vibrations will set the pain off,, ice if you can get it,, i take anti inflammatory tablets ,
switch sides more when paddling, get a carbon bent blade paddle,, for me the angle takes stress off of my elbows , or perhaps shave the diameter of the shaft of your paddle for a more relaxed grip.
i have had 3 or4 cortisone shots in each each elbow , my surgeon suggested some thing simple like palms up . every day chores like grabbing a pot off the stove, reaching in to get wet laundry from the machine,, palms up ( and elbows up depending on who is in the room )
palms up takes the stress off of the tendons in the elbow , it does help me.
lastly if the elbow is tender use a pressure point release find the hot spot and apply pressure in a circle motion , the pain should be reduced,, hold the pressure on the spot. you can buy a tennis elbow clasp , this clasp goes on the forearm just below the elbow,,
i feel your pain i hope these ideas work for you.
i am not a doctor nor do i play the role on t.v
Last edited by swedish pimple (3/20/2025 10:52 am)
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Thanks Pa and Swede. It mostly only happens on canoe trips but I'll see if some of your advise helps.
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Not to hijack the thread, but what is the need for additional electrolytes while tripping? Is it a gung-ho tripping style like a marathon/race where you don't have time to stop and eat a meal or drink water?
I understand what electrolytes are, the question isn't 'why electrolytes', but what is their purpose as a supplement beyond your normal diet?
And apologies in advance for our government.
Most of my time to trip is July and August so portaging (or even just canoeing) on a 35 degree day means a lot of sweat for me.
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Sorry if I am going off on a tangent here, but I also suffer from intermittent bouts of tennis elbow. I find that the 'BandIT' brand elbow brace works miracles (at least for me...) and bring it along on every canoe trip, just in case.
Last edited by hiker72 (3/20/2025 7:17 pm)
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Sweating depletes electrolytes, and drinking large amounts of water without replenishing them can further dilute electrolyte levels and increase urination, leading to even greater losses.
Here’s my DIY electrolyte recipe (tastes like salt...), which I’ve used for a couple years now based on the LMNT formula that they display on their packaging. You’ll need a "microscale" or a scale that measures to 0.01g (about $20 on Amazon).
One serving:
Last edited by paddlindad (3/20/2025 7:29 pm)
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Sweating depletes electrolytes, and drinking large amounts of water without replenishing them can further dilute electrolyte levels and increase urination, leading to even greater losses.
Here’s my DIY electrolyte recipe (tastes like salt...), which I’ve used for a couple years now based on the LMNT formula that they display on their packaging. You’ll need a "microscale" or a scale that measures to 0.01g (about $20 on Amazon).
One serving:
- Sea salt: 1000 mg
- Potassium chloride: 200 mg
- Magnesium: 60 mg (magnesium malate, oxalate, citrate, or glycinate all work)
I get sea salt from the grocery store and the other salts from my local health food store, though they’re easy to find online as well.
At home, I put each serving in one of those multi-day pill boxes. When I'm camping, I just make a large batch with all the ingredients mixed together in a ziploc and use about a 1/4 teaspoon with 500 mL of water as needed.
I like the idea of DIYing it. You may want to consider Baja Gold or Celtic sea salt instead of regular sea salt. These salts are minimally processed, have higher mineral content and lower sodium levels. They contain a broad spectrum of trace minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which help provide better electrolyte support. IMO they taste better too…And yes they do cost more.
