Surfing is undoubtedly a very popular sport with an estimated 18 million surfers globally, covering all age groups. Even though it is considered as a safe sport, compared to others, with minimum risk of injury. Most injuries are pretty common and can be cured easily.
Common Surfing Injuries:
More often than not surfers tend to receive injuries to the legs, head, face, back, and the arm and shoulder. In most of the cases they get injured due to inadvertent contact with their own boards or someone else’s board. Some of the other common causes of injury are “wiping out” or striking the seabed, notes Bill Schoellkopf, a 35 year old Athlete from Miami, Florida.
Common Injuries from Surfing:
- Sprains
- Dislocations and Fractures
- Swimmer’s ear and Surfer’s Ear
- Lacerations like cuts and scrapes
Preventing Surfing Injuries:
To prevent injury, you must:
- Be prepared
You may sustain injuries due to several causes as already mentioned. Hence, it is important for you to warm up before surfing. Do some typical body warm up stretches. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen at all times. You can also consider doing a course from an accredited surf school to learn appropriate skills, techniques and water safety.
- Follow the surfing etiquette
It is essential to follow surfing etiquette to avoid collisions in the surf. Respecting the rights of other surfers in the water can help avoid potential injuries. Make sure that other surfers enjoy catching their share of waves. Go by the rule – one surfer on a wave. More than one surfer on a wave can invariably cause collisions, injuries and conflict.
- Use the right gear
It is always important to get professional advice while purchasing a surfboard. Make sure that the board has flexible fins and a blunt nose or protective nose guard. Fit existing surfboards with nose guards to lower the injury risk. A wet suit can be a great option for buoyancy and sun protection. It can also help prevent seabed abrasions. If you are going to do large surf, you can wear leg ropes.
- Learn a lot about the sport
It is important to know yourself and the sport of surfing. Find out what you are capable of. Wisely choose activities that are suitable for your fitness level. Using the right techniques is important. So get some professional help as well as know how to use the equipment properly and safely. Make sure that you drink plenty of water before and after surfing to avoid dehydration.
- Check environment
Bill Schoellkopf always advises to check the weather and beach condition before getting into the sea. Don’t surf alone if you are newbie into surfing. Take care of your children when they are surfing and make sure they are supervised at all times by a responsible adult.
Even though the injuries are not serious in nature, it is essential for every surfer to take proper safety measures. If you are injured, stop immediately and seek prompt treatment. Have a mobile phone at hand if possible so that you can contact the nearby rescue team in case of emergency.
Author Bio: Bill Schoellkopf is a one of the most celebrated athletes from Miami, Florida, 35 who is a surfing specialist and a sports writer as well. In His recent write-up he talks about how to manage surfing injuries.
