Surfing Guide - Safety Advice

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Before you start Surfing
It is vital that you can swim, this may sound obvious but if you are not a competent swimmer then you are endangering yourself and others in the water that may have to come to your rescue. The ocean is a powerful force and if you are not a good swimmer then you could find yourself in any number of dangerous situations. You could argue that your surfboard can act as a buoyancy aid, which in an emergency it can, however it is not to be relied upon. Alsp if your leash snaps then you won't be able to use it as a wave could take it far out of your reach, then you'll be in trouble!

Here are some guide lines as to what your ability should be:

• Before beginning you should be able to swim 100metres without stopping.
• Once you are riding waves up to a metre, you should be able to swim 500 metres without stopping.
• When and if you want to ride waves 2 metres and more you should be able to swim 1000 metres without stopping and be able to swim underwater for at least 25 metres.

Pre-Surf Warm-up
Before you go out for your first surf, or if it's been flat for a week or two you should keep your fitness up by swimming. This will exercise the muscles you use for paddling on your board and will improve your aerobic fitness and will improve your confidence in the water.
It's advisable to carry out a warm up before any activity and that includes surfing. You know your body, so you should warm up to your own requirements.

Surfing Do's & Don'ts
In the world of surfing there are a number of rules which most surfers will tell you but aren't written on any board by the beach for you to read. So here they are written down for you to read, soak up and live by!

• Alcohol.
  Do not surf under the influence its just stupid! Save it for the after surf bragging session in the pub.
• Be Aware.
  Always be aware of other surfers and people in the water; at all times be aware of the surf conditions and conditions specific to each beach i.e. Rips, rocks and reefs.
• Comfort Zone.
  Only surf in waves you are comfortable in and do not exceed your ability.
• Hold or Throw.
  You must learn when to hold onto your board and when to get rid of it! Only throw your board if you're going for a wave and are about to get wiped out, then get rid of it as you are more likely to get an injury in your wipe-out if you and your board are getting washed up together. However if you are paddling out to get out back to the line up then you should always keep hold of your board. For 2 reasons:
  1. You'll get out back quicker.
  2. If you throw your board then your more likely to put someone behind you at risk of getting a board flying at their head.
• Guarded Beaches.
  When surfing on a beach where lifeguards have assigned a designated surf area ensure that you stay within the allocated area as you could endanger swimmers and other people in the water if you were to stray out of the area.
• Don't Drop in.
  "Dropping in" means catching a wave when someone else is riding it and is closer to the peak than you. This is a very important 'Don't', as taking another surfers wave is considered a heinous crime and will more than likely result in a torrent of abuse! It can also be dangerous because many surfers have do not have the control required to avoid a collision when people drop in.
• Respect.
  This is a must, respect others in the water especially locals. Remember that no one owns any wave they are there to be shared, but be aware you are the guest!
• Surf Buddy.
  You should always surf with at least one other person two reasons (1) you'll have more fun (2) if you get into to trouble then you know you'll have someone there to help you out.
• Check Surf Conditions.
  Before you go surfing at any beach always check that it is safe! When surfing a spot for the first time to some research either on the net or ask in a local surf shop for any dangerous areas to be aware of.
• Pick up after yourself.
  Always leave the beach as you found it. Don't litter whether you are on the beach or on the street. Respect the land and the ocean.

Content Source from: Surfing Waves

Hazards
Here is a list of some of the hazards you may encounter and try to be aware of whilst surfing in Britain:

• Rip Currents.
  This is where water pushed towards the beach by the waves escapes back out to sea causing a rip current. This can happen in a number of ways and can be identified by taking time to look from the shore. They generally occur between sand bars where there are deeper channels of water and can be identified by the fact that the waves aren't breaking in the channel and the surface will usually be choppy or rippled.
  

What a rip can look like

"USLA/NOAA - Used By Permission."

A rip current such as this can quickly drag a surfer out to sea, if this happens the trick is not to try and paddle against it back to shore but to paddle across it parallel to the beach to wherever the waves are breaking. Most importantly don't leave your board as it can act as a life raft.

How to escape from a rip current:

http://www.usla.org/ripcurrents/

• Rocks.
  Before you enter the water be aware of rocks in the water and surrounding the beach so that you can avoid them when in the water. Also if you are surfing a reef or point break then wear wetsuit boots and possibly even a helmet. When/if you wipe out try and land feet first not head first as you can soften the blow of hitting a reef through your legs, this is a little harder to do through your head!

• Weeverfish.
  These fish are mostly likely to be found at sandy beaches during hot weather as this is when they come to the shallow water to spawn. Although they are only 6 to 8 inches long they can inflict an agonizingly painful sting when trodden on, similar to that of standing on a nail.
  

A picture of the slimy little critter!

More information here

If you get stung by a weaver fish, seek attention and advice from the lifeguard surveying the beach you are on.

• Jellyfish.
  These are not encountered on a daily basis, but are most common during the summer when the waves are onshore. They can inflict a nasty sting on areas where the skin is exposed, such as hands & feet, however they won't be able to penetrate your wetsuit.

• Sunburn.
  Don't laugh, even in Britain this is an issue, especially whilst surfing as the water magnifies the suns rays. So be sensible and apply water proof sun block or use a zinc stick (like the cricketers!)

Pages: Introduction | Safety Advice | How to Surf | Surf Breaks | Surf Boards