Any ideas for relieving kiteboarding induced knee pain?

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

Is it my stance on the board? The positioning of my footpads? Is it the chop at Jones having a hey day on my previously surgerized knees (2x each knee)?

Has anyone experienced this?

Every time I go out I end up with what feels like a muscle tear right behind my knee where the calf muscle ends.

This time I have that, but accompanied with pain just inside the kneecap, along with some lovely clicking from time to time.

Any advice from the old wise ones would be appreciated?

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

Without knowning more about your situation I would say get a board with more rocker and more flex and/or ride strapless IE a skimboard, surfboard etc.

Its been years since I have been to Jones but I think it has a lot of chop compared to other locations.

Keeping your quads strong will go along way as well Very Happy

lloyd · Since 16 Aug 2007 108 Posts Hood River Stoked

I have a similar problem. Strength conditioning and flexibility are the long term solutions. In the mean time, I have started wearing a knee brace under my suit. Seems to solve the problem.

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ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Try plyometric jump training.
I've been doing lunges, squats and jumps as part of P90X and all joint pain from kiting has disapeared (I'm 53) and kite for 3 hours 15 times a month).
If you're not in EXCELLENT leg shape, better pads and appropriate equipment will help, but it's no subsitute for being in great shape.

Also - just curious,,,, do you warm-up before you go out for a kite session?
Maybe try a easy 1/4 mile jog and some easy lunges after you pump up, just before you go out.
Don't stretch cold joints, do some light exercises to get the blood flowing.

Also - if you're a novice/intermediate kiter, it's more intensive on the knees until you get your technique dialed in.

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed

Yeah, that VooDoo chop on the Oregon side is horrible. If your up to it, get yourself over to the other side ASAP. The butter patch on the WA side is much easier on the old joints. And there's no boat traffic. And the wind is 20 times better.

corey4x4man · Since 13 Jun 2011 134 Posts Beaverton, OR Stoked

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

I'm just trying to turn the corner out of kookdom, but did get over to the North side on Saturday...

But before that, I spent 2 1/2 hours in the chop that 25mph can create.

Next time, it's straight over to the ponds, as long as my upwind abilities hold!

That, and probably going to slap on a brace. These knees weren't what they used to be 4 surgeries ago!

wylieflyote · Mon Jul 16, 12 1:56 pm

I asked this same question and was advised to move the straps & pads to the far inside stance. Pain is gone. Also switched to a more flexible board. And I spend more than half my Gorge weekends on a strapless surf which also helps.

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

wylieflyote - I PM'd you because you can't @mention in the forums, but if you would be kind enough to post either here or the PM I'm hoping you can clarify.

When you say "far inside stance" what does that configuration look like on the board?

Both pads as close as they can be, and less spread out?

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

IMHO. Go strapless now before you kill your knees for good.

westbeach40 · Since 11 Sep 2006 56 Posts PNW

Yes if your just riding Jones Right where everyone is launching for hours anyone would have knee pain. That vortex of chop is like nothing I've seen. I hate going through it to the ponds and It's even worse on the way back. When I go up to the ponds I've been going with food and water and stay up there around 2-4 hours with out any knee pain.

Johnb · Since 02 Aug 2010 494 Posts Obsessed

I feel a little ache exactly where you are talking about.

I think I get it from the long tack back from nuke alley. I think is partly due to locking my leg out in an attempt to keep my forward leg straight. I was trying to keep my leg straight in the direction I was traveling which was awkward and tiring.

I have progressed over the last few weeks and am better at maintaining correct body position. Correct body position helps me keep that front leg straight but not locking it out. This helps absorb the chops and eliminates the ache. I think I get it on only on one side because of having limited mobility in my left ankle due to surgery which made it harder to get in the correct position.

I am on a Cabrina Spectrum and it feels very stiff and unforgiving, but is nice for getting up wind. When I tried my custom it felt softer but was harder to stay up wind and needs more power to get on planing.

My 2 cents.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

typical stance advice is feet about shoulder width apart, basically make a line from the outside of your shoulder down to your knee. then make a bit of a duck stance with your pads/straps. If you are using this photo as a model with zero being straight out in front of you, abouut 40 left and 40 right for starters. just check it, make sure it is comfie. For me, my toes are pointed out a little more than I point them when i walk.

my board

on my board i have my left foot pad dialed a little different than my right, just feels better on my left knee (which is chronically bitchy).

chop is going to give you a beating. with that said, some boards are better than others at absorbing chop. you might ask about your whip as it relates to being a good chop sucker.

spending the money on some good pads/straps will help you too. good gear always equals better sesh quality. for myself i've got some cushy dakine stuff, works for these old kness pretty well. I'm sure there are some people on here that have more thorough opinions on what works the best.

conditioning is always a big helper, good weight too of course. drink lots of water.

mystery curd · Since 14 Jun 2010 98 Posts Floating

Get a surfboard! My knees hated the twin tips. Try to flow with the surface more instead of just bashing through the chop.
There are previous posts on the subect.

WindLogik · Since 09 Feb 2009 95 Posts Hood River

Start windsurfing. Way easier on your knees!

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

the second symptom you described may be a tight IT band, look up the stretch and see if it helps. wide stances that are ducked always get mine. It feels like a sharp pain just on the outside of each knee cap, usually with the knee flexed - like walking down stairs.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

I notice I can typically cut harder heading to the Washington side, but heading into the Oregon side it seems like you are heading directly into the chop at jones. Recently I've been slowing down a little on the oregon tack and that seems to help. In general when I'm in chop I make sure that both knees are bent, front one just slightly it makes it so I can walk after the car ride home.