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You saw surfing on youtube. Your friends are posting surfing pictures on Facebook. Surf fashion companies promise you beautiful empty beaches and beautiful people having fun. And let's face it, surfing would suit your haircut...
But before you run to the nearest surfshop, here are some reasons why you'd better stick to tennis or soccer. |
Surfing might look like fun to you. But what nobody tells you is:
1. Surfboards hitting you
Surfboards can be a dangerous piece of sporting equipment. Pointed at one end, with one or more switchblade like fins ready to slice anything that gets in their way. Truly the stuff of nightmares. Keep control of your board while surfing and try to keep out of it's malevolent way when you wipeout.
2. Crowds and Newbies (or possibly even worse - crowds of newbies)
The more people in the lineup, the more dangerous it becomes. Boards flying left and right, surfers using bodyboarders as speed bumps, bodyboarders using swimmers as speed bumps—you get the idea! Add newbies to the mix and it's a disaster waiting to happen. Since surfing is getting bigger every year, it's obvious that the risk of getting injured by an other surfers is increasing.
1. Surfboards hitting you
Surfboards can be a dangerous piece of sporting equipment. Pointed at one end, with one or more switchblade like fins ready to slice anything that gets in their way. Truly the stuff of nightmares. Keep control of your board while surfing and try to keep out of it's malevolent way when you wipeout.
2. Crowds and Newbies (or possibly even worse - crowds of newbies)
The more people in the lineup, the more dangerous it becomes. Boards flying left and right, surfers using bodyboarders as speed bumps, bodyboarders using swimmers as speed bumps—you get the idea! Add newbies to the mix and it's a disaster waiting to happen. Since surfing is getting bigger every year, it's obvious that the risk of getting injured by an other surfers is increasing.
3. Waves punch like Muhammad Ali
Waves may look nice from the beach but can be incredibly powerful. Some are powerful enough to break bones. Wipeouts on waves are a common cause of surfing injury.
4. Locals and the original surfers
Sometimes the most scary thing about a surf break are the regular surfers. they can sometimes be unfriendly, and in some cases, outwardly aggressive. This is justified because they have been surfing all their lives and learned when the sport was less accessible and not a trending lifestyle. So, reduce the chance of an incident with an original surfer by behaving yourself, observe surf etiquette at all times, and don't make a general nuisance of yourself. If you're not behaving yourself then you only have yourself to blame.
5. Riptides
Rips are a hazard for surfers and swimmers alike and are often present at surf spots. These strength sapping currents can sweep out to sea and to a watery grave in the blink of an eye (well, almost!).
6. Leash Tangles
The infuriating leash is terribly annoying whilst surfing, continuously trying to wrap itself around any spare limb it can get hold of. You can rest assured that it will try to incapacitate you at the most inopportune time. The only thing so do is to make sure you have a leash with a swivel. The rest is in the hands of the gods.
7. The Sea Bed
If it's a sandy bottom it will feel like concrete if a wave pounds you down upon it. If it is a rock reef it might as well be concrete, although it will be much more jagged and likely to cause more injury that regular smooth concrete. If it is coral, you are in real trouble. First, it will cut you like a razor blade. Then it will leave tiny pieces behind to infect you for months after. Here's a tip; never, ever, fall off your board.
8. Marine Life
Big teeth, attacks with no warning, all that screaming and bubbling red water. The danger that a shark poses is obvious, but there are other just as dangerous marine life to keep on the look out for. These include Seals, Snakes (sea ones, obviously), Urchins, Jellyfish and Stingrays. All can be potentially life threatening.
Waves may look nice from the beach but can be incredibly powerful. Some are powerful enough to break bones. Wipeouts on waves are a common cause of surfing injury.
4. Locals and the original surfers
Sometimes the most scary thing about a surf break are the regular surfers. they can sometimes be unfriendly, and in some cases, outwardly aggressive. This is justified because they have been surfing all their lives and learned when the sport was less accessible and not a trending lifestyle. So, reduce the chance of an incident with an original surfer by behaving yourself, observe surf etiquette at all times, and don't make a general nuisance of yourself. If you're not behaving yourself then you only have yourself to blame.
5. Riptides
Rips are a hazard for surfers and swimmers alike and are often present at surf spots. These strength sapping currents can sweep out to sea and to a watery grave in the blink of an eye (well, almost!).
6. Leash Tangles
The infuriating leash is terribly annoying whilst surfing, continuously trying to wrap itself around any spare limb it can get hold of. You can rest assured that it will try to incapacitate you at the most inopportune time. The only thing so do is to make sure you have a leash with a swivel. The rest is in the hands of the gods.
7. The Sea Bed
If it's a sandy bottom it will feel like concrete if a wave pounds you down upon it. If it is a rock reef it might as well be concrete, although it will be much more jagged and likely to cause more injury that regular smooth concrete. If it is coral, you are in real trouble. First, it will cut you like a razor blade. Then it will leave tiny pieces behind to infect you for months after. Here's a tip; never, ever, fall off your board.
8. Marine Life
Big teeth, attacks with no warning, all that screaming and bubbling red water. The danger that a shark poses is obvious, but there are other just as dangerous marine life to keep on the look out for. These include Seals, Snakes (sea ones, obviously), Urchins, Jellyfish and Stingrays. All can be potentially life threatening.