Swim

Cramping in the pool is horrible! I found a couple of things on myself that caused cramping.

At one point I was restricting salt intake with food (I would still have the occasional rehydration drink) and noticed my feet would cramp more often. Even leading up to the cramping being higher in the leg. I stopped the increased salt restriction and the cramping occurs much less.

Also if I find I'm not relaxed in the pool I tend to tense the muscles in my hand and feet for form and they can cramp.

If I'm not actively swimming I will push against the wall or floor of the pool and it seems to help relieve the discomfort.

Ok thank you..

Make sure you are not pointing your toes aggressively when you swim. Not sure what level of swimmer you are, but that is pretty common with beginners and less confident swimmers. On the other hand, if you ARE an experienced swimmer with competitive background, maybe you are powering off the wall too hard? It can be a habit for people who are used to sprinting and coaches wanting fast turns! No need with tri training unless maybe you are doing a time trial or something.

Also, keep on top of your hydration throughout the day, not just when in the pool and during/after workouts. I know I'm a lot more likely to cramp if I've spent a lot of time outside in the heat prior to the swim--guessing that's because I get dehydrated. If you're just hydrating with water, you might want to try a sports drink in addition to that to make sure you're replacing sodium/electrolytes as well as fluids.

Swim more. Do some kick sets with fins to build some strength in those feet. The cramps will go away. It's most likely a fitness issue, don't go changing your hydration and diet.

Sorry, but disagree that it's a fitness issue. As Hot Runner said, pushing off the wall with aggressively pointed toes can cause the cramping as can powering off the wall. I'm pretty sure I don't have fitness issues and I get foot cramps when pushing off the wall too hard in search of a desired time.

If the cramp is in my in need of surgery again foot, it's because of the injury and the muscles around the injury. If it's in the right foot is because I pushed off too hard with super pointed toes. I'm so used to the limb and its shenanigans I can just ignore the cramping in either foot.

Fortissimo might be a special case- however hard to follow what you were saying.

What Ziggie is saying can be accurate. I do not get foot cramps very often anymore, because I'm fat, and old, and don't push my swimming; which puts me in the top 5% of triathlete at most events.

When I did swim competitively, I did get foot cramps and it was from over exertion. When you push off a wall is usually when you point your toes the hardest getting into the streamline, this is also when the cramp in the foot tends to start. As you build your fitness the cramps will reduce. When you start cramping, I have found it will most likely continue for your workout. At that point you may want to dial back the effort and work on your mechanics. You could also grab a pull buoy and just work your arms.

Ok thank you