Surfing is one of the most popular and enjoyable water sports. It is a fun activity that millions of people enjoy, but it can be dangerous if you don’t take the right safety precautions. So Why is surfing dangerous? What are tops 13 dangers in surfing?
Surfing is risky for many reasons, from high waves and hazardous circumstances to sickness, exhaustion, jellyfish stings, and shark attacks. In this post, the author James Nedock will help you know more about these dangers and take some simple safety steps.
Why is surfing dangerous – Tops 13 dangers in surfing
Why is surfing dangerous? Top 13 dangers in surfing
Why is surfing dangerous? Top 13 dangers in surfing
Each sport requires pushing one’s physical limits, risking failure, and showing courage. As you get better, you learn lineup patterns, laws, and how to improve your gear. This gives you the skills you need to stay safe in unpredictable maritime situations.
Each time you take a glance at the surf, an assessment of risk vs. benefit is taking place in your mind. Before we talk about whether or not surfing is safe, it’s important that you learn how to do it right before you jump into the water. Seek out a nearby surf shop for instruction or any helpful tips and tricks related to safe surfing practices!
Surfing is not a safe activity. It can be dangerous and has unpredictable parts that make it hard to master. To do it well, you have to be patient and keep at it. Knowing waves and being honest about one’s skill may reduce surfing risks, but any sport or leisure activity that requires courage has risks.
To stay safe while surfing, it’s important to think about the physical, personal, and even social dangers that could happen. This is exactly why lifeguards are taught this very effective method, so it would be smart for everyone who goes to the beach to do the same.
Since surfing involves high levels of risk, it may attract individuals with sensation seeking tendencies.
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/
Marine animal bites
Surfers risk getting stung or bit by poisonous marine animals if they surf barefoot in shallow water or near the shore. Some of the most common fish that can cause severe pain with their barbs are weever fish, stingrays, jellyfish, sea urchins, and stonefish.
- Sand fleas are sneaky creatures. They can blend in with their surroundings very well and hide under the dirt. If not treated swiftly, their sting can result in intense pain accompanied by nausea, loss of consciousness, or even death.
- Sharks are frequently media-attracted and, consequently, inhabit the forefront of our imaginations. To find out whether there are sharks near your beach, talk to locals (Australia tops this list). However, in the last four centuries in Costa Rica, only 12 attacks have been reported (6 fatalities); here, a shark attack is rare.
- In the tropics, crocodiles thrive; their habitats range from rivers to mangroves and beaches. But encounters with these apex predators are infrequent—not unheard of but certainly rare. Avoid famous surf spots on opposing sides of rivers or estuaries because one might come ashore and assault! Instead, opt for boats available to ferry you across safely, or simply paddle away when crossing through flowing waterways!
- Stingrays feed on the marine depths along sandy beaches worldwide. When encountered, these creatures will retaliate with a sting; be sure to shuffle your feet carefully so as to avoid startling them!
Spiders
The ocean is home to an astonishing array of sea creatures, many of which are potentially deadly. The most common spiders that live near the water’s surface are the tarantula, funnel-web spider, and crab spider. All three species have fangs that can inject lethal venom when they bite.
If you’re bitten by a spider while surfing, it’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Symptoms of a spider bite can include excruciating pain, swelling, redness, and blistering.
Water pollution
The prevalence of water pollution has become a major scourge, impacting the well-being and productivity of life on Earth. Fertilizers and pesticides, chemicals, sewage effluent, or even oil leaks can easily get into freshwater or saltwater areas and hurt aquatic ecosystems.
Surfers should be careful about getting into the water after it rains. Follow the advice about the quality of the water in your area and never drink water that has been contaminated!
Rocks and coral reefs
Rocks and coral reefs
Despite your efforts to steer clear of the ocean floor when surfing, sometimes a wave or tumble can forcibly eject you into its depths. Rocks and coral can feel like machetes cutting into your feet, torso, or face. This can cause cuts, rashes, open wounds, bruises, and even severe rashes.
Bruising can occur from getting the leash wrapped around your leg or arm. Putting on a wetsuit is an effective way to protect yourself from these potentially painful situations.
Sun
Surfers devote hundreds of hours per year to exposing themselves to the deleterious ultraviolet (UV) beams of sunlight. Contrary to what most people think, tanning is neither healthy nor desirable because it means your skin is damaged.
Actually, it is an unsavory predicament that can induce premature skin aging, sunburns, and malignancy. Surfers should always put on high-protection sunscreen before putting on their wetsuits. This is important to protect the coral reefs, which are in danger of being destroyed by climate change.
Drowning
There is a very real risk of drowning while surfing. Hold-downs, getting stuck on the reef, getting separated from your board and not being able to swim back to it, and losing consciousness after a collision are all ways that you could drown while surfing. So remember, always go surfing with a friend who will help you out if you get into trouble.
Rip tides, undertows, and currents
Rips present a potential danger to surfers and swimmers alike, as these powerful ocean currents can easily drag them under water. Though they rarely do so with people in tow, this overuse of energy eventually leads to drowning due to fatigue.
You will inevitably encounter issues with your leash. The board is attached to it by ropes that are tied to both the leash and the ankle. This keeps the board from getting loose and floating away.
That’s all well and good until you experience numbness in your extremities as the leash constricts around your bicep. Make sure to untangle this cord and put it in the right place before you take on another wave. If you can, use a swivel leash to avoid any possible tangles.
Fins, leashes, and surfboards
The most important thing a surfer needs to ride waves is a surfboard with a leash. But they can also hurt people. A wipeout, a great kick-out against the wind, a bad duck dive, a closeout, or a board that isn’t being taken care of can turn a surfer’s gear into a powerful weapon.
Remember that a surfboard has a pointy nose and sharp fins that can easily cut your skin, hurt your ears, hurt your eyes, and cause several fractures. The leash could also hurt someone. It can get tangled around your neck or break and hit you in the face.
Big waves
Big waves
The presence of colossal swells can be both wondrous and perilous for ocean lovers who enjoy surfing. An XXL wave’s intensity makes duck diving almost impossible, and if it breaks, sometimes a wave or a fall can drill you down to the bottom.
Weather
- Lightning: Always get out of the water if you see lightning.
- Sun: Use protective surf clothes, such as rash guards, leggings, and hats, to lower your risk of getting skin cancer. Sunscreen that is REEF-SAFE is acceptable for use on the face but must be reapplied after an hour in the water to avoid any fading.
- Wind: Light offshore winds (wind that moves from land to ocean) are optimal, or even preferable, where no wind is present. Mild breezes and air currents are OK, but gale force winds beyond 10 knots (18+ kph) may blow hats off and make paddling harder.
Localism
Be aware of the potential perils of surf breaks and consider how locals may behave. Locals can be unfriendly, even belligerent; you don’t want one to have a sudden change in temperament! Learn about surf etiquette by always following it, and don’t be a nuisance just because you’re not following the rules.
Inconsiderate surfers
Surfers with experience and people who don’t care about others can turn a dream session into a nightmare. When they’re new to surfing, people who don’t know the rules can be very annoying as they cruise along on a perfect right-hand wave. They should know better than to get in the way!
The result could be anything from a small break to a serious injury. Also, other surfers who know the rules of navigation may choose not to follow them strictly and put their own safety at risk.
Hypothermia
Cold water surfing is a daring activity that only the most courageous accept. If you intend to spend an extended period of time in subzero temperatures, it’s imperative that you wear a thick wetsuit.
Hypothermia is a condition that can cause serious trouble for surfers, swiftly plunging them into a perilous scenario. At temperatures below 95 F (35 C), we enter an out-of-this-world situation; stay cozy!
Surfing injuries and how to prevent them
Surfing injuries and how to prevent them
Like any extreme sport, injury is inevitable if you don’t take the proper precautions. Don’t be afraid – we have some beneficial tips that will keep you safe!
Repeatedly striking the leash against your leg or arm could lead to a painful bruise. Don’t try to catch a wave by holding it with one hand and wrapping the tangled leash around it. If you can, get rid of this danger before you try.
Injuring an ankle or wrist while riding the wave into shallow water is all too common. It’s essential to bring your board to a halt in an orderly fashion before taking one’s feet off – lest it be submerged in less than knee-deep waters.
The head-knock is a common occurrence when swimmers rush up from the water to inhale some air after a knockdown. When you climb, shield your head with your hands to avoid accidents. Surface tension may make boards motionless on the ocean’s surface.
Is it safe for beginers surfing?
Is it safe for beginers surfing?
Surfing is not dangerous for beginners, when compared with other pursuits such as mountain biking, skateboarding and snowboarding. Most surfers – especially beginners – experience little risk while engaging in this sport; although accidents still occur occasionally.
When you first start surfing, you’ll ride waves that aren’t too big and are close to the shore. Beginners also often use soft-top foam boards, which also make surfing a very safe sport.
But as your skills and confidence improve, surfing will get riskier. Surfers with more experience will want to go where there are bigger waves and more dangerous surf breaks.
Even if you’re just starting out, surfing is an active sport, so there are some risks. So, let’s look at some of the risks that beginner surfers face and how we can reduce those risks to keep people from getting hurt.
FAQs Why is surfing dangerous
Why is it risky to surf high waves?
At depths of 20 to 50 feet, swimmers and surfers are battered by powerful water pressure capable of rupturing eardrums. Additionally, strong currents and violent ocean action can result in injury or even death for those caught within their grasp!
Is surfing unsafe because of sharks?
Surfers are cautious because they seldom see one. Shark attacks kill 4 or 5 people every year globally, with a 1 in 11.5 million chance of happening.
Conclusion
In conclusion, surfing is a dangerous sport if not done correctly. It can be exhilarating and fun, but it is also dangerous if not done correctly.
It is important to be aware of the risks associated with surfing and to take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety. Our team at guymac.co.nz hopes that this post has been informative; thank you for reading!
