16 Safe Surfing

Avoid Risks With These Safe Surfing Tips For Beginners

Surfing is a sport riddled with potential risk that can be bad for you. Drowning, crashing onto solid objects, or even hitting other surfers you are sharing the same wave with are common scenarios that can be life threatening if not avoided. Novice surfers should always consider safe surfing when challenging the waves and here are some tips that should help you surf the right way on your first try.

Safety Tip # 1: Always Warm Up First before Venturing Out

That's right; the most common problem with surfing is getting a cramp while swimming after getting thrown off your board or while you're skimming through the waves. If you're not careful then a simple muscle cramp on your arms or legs can drown you. This is why it is important to always do some warm up exercises and stretching before you attempt the waves. Do squats and stretch while you're still on the beach to get your muscles ready for the task ahead. It might also be a good idea to do a little bit of bending exercises for added flexibility and to loosen up your joints.

Safety Tip # 2: Wear Something That Floats

An important requirement expected of a surfer before challenging the waves is that they should know how to swim in case they are thrown off their boards. Once you are thrown off, the first thing that should always come to mind is to swim back up and get your face out of the water. Extreme cases is what you are carried by the waves deep down into the water so you need to have the necessarily skills to propel yourself up before you run out of air or lose consciousness. If you're not a good swimmer then you better wear something that floats, like life jacket.

Safety Tip # 3: Don’t Share A Wave With Other Surfers

It is an important rule among surfers not to steal the scene from another surfer, especially if you're thinking about cutting them off on the next swell. Statistics shows that a lot of accidents in surfing are attributed to surfers sharing waves with others. Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran; always surf alone to avoid running into other surfers as you skim through the waves.

Safety Tip # 4: Safety Gears and Equipments

Make sure that you have all the necessary equipments and gears to keep you safe from harm. A life jacket is just basic precaution. You might want to wear a wet suit if you're planning to surf in cold weather or a GPS device strapped on you when you plan to surf a little bit out from the beach. It is also a good idea to bring a first-aid kit in case you get wounded by unseen corals or rocks when you get thrown off your board. These safe surfing precautions are applicable to both novice and expert surfers to avoid life-threatening situations as you enjoy the sport and all the risks that come with it.