Surfing injuries

Surfing is a high speed, high impact sport, so surfing injuries are incredibly common.

The most frequent surfing injuries are the cuts and bruises that surfers pick up when they lose balance and hit the board or the water hard. Concussions and other head injuries are also common because most surfers don’t wear protective head gear.

To prevent surfing injuries, an athlete can invest in different varieties of protective clothing. As a minimum, a good wetsuit will help a surfer avoid lacerations when they wipeout. There are also things that can be fitted to the board itself to minimise the risk of injury. For example, a nose guard and a longer leash will ensure surfers don’t hit the board as hard or as frequently when wiping out.

Novice surfers are more likely to pick up injuries because they’re less knowledgeable about what precautions to take in certain conditions. Beginners should therefore always wear protective head gear and avoid the big waves.

Recovering from surfing injuries is often a case of rest and recuperation. When an athlete injures their head, they should immediately stop surfing and rest up until they feel ready to get back on the board.

We have more information on surfing injuries listed in the articles below with lots of useful help and advice.