What are the dangers of surfing?

Dangers of surfing – what are they? Here you will find a summary of the dangers associated with surfing, making it one of the world’s extreme risk sports. We recommend that you are always very careful and take protective measures, especially when traveling and surfing in unknown waves. But you should also be careful at the usual spots, because some of the dangers of surfing are always present and constantly with us. Dangers in surfing are more common than you might think, because the sport itself already involves risks and situations in which we put our integrity and that of our equipment at risk.

As with any outdoor activity, there are several dangers that we must take into account when practicing our outdoor sessions. Surfing is a sport linked to the sea and the waves and involves situations that must be faced.

Although there is a certain risk of injury when surfing, there is clear evidence that these injuries can be prevented. If you would like a summary of the dangers of surfing, you can jump directly to it here.

The injury rate for aerial surfers, who perform tricks with the surfboard in the air, is 1.35 injuries per 1,000 hours of surfing.

Source: https://activesafe.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Surfing.pdf

Anyone who goes into the sea runs the risk of drowning. Therefore, all surfers must be able to swim properly and stay afloat even in rough conditions. Even a mild summer day can end tragically if a surfer suffers a blackout in the water. It is always advisable to surf in the company of friends or other people who can pull you out of the water in the event of a faint or blackout.

If we fall off our board in a big wave or our board hits our head, we are always in danger. One way to avoid such a blow to the head is to wear a helmet to protect yourself. Never try to surf waves that are far beyond your perception of risk. You can find more information about surfing with a helmet in our blog here.

Who in the line-up poses a threat when surfing?

The more surfers there are in the line-up, the more dangerous it becomes. Flying boards to the left and right, surfers, bodyboarders, maybe even swimmers. Add to that beginners who don’t know what they’re doing and disaster is inevitable.

What danger do beginners and rude surfers pose?

Novice surfers and reckless people can turn a dream session into a horrible nightmare. Novice surfers rarely know the rules of the surf and can quickly get in your way when casually surfing a perfect right-hand wave. The consequences can range from a broken surfboard to a more or less serious injury.

The same applies to fellow surfers who know the navigation rules but do not adhere to the so-called surfing etiquette. In the following picture you can see our surf instructor explaining the surfing rules. He simulates “dropping in” into the right-hand wave of our surfing student.

What dangers does my surfboard pose to me?

Another major danger comes from collisions with your own board and with other surfers in the line-up. This is the most common danger, as collisions with the board, rails and fins are sometimes unavoidable. In this case, it is advisable to follow the surfing rules and never drop other surfers into the wave. Always remember that hard plastic fins are often sharp-edged and more dangerous than rubberized fins. Respect other surfers and be respected yourself.

Currents, undercurrents – rip tides, etc.

Every year, dozens of people die after getting caught in rip currents, undercurrents and raging tides. Although these strong ocean currents never pull swimmers and surfers underwater, they sap people’s energy until they eventually drown from exhaustion. For surfers, they are not so dangerous, because since we have a board to hold on to and a wetsuit to keep us warm, we should never lose our nerve.

It’s best not to fight the current and paddle out sideways with the current. The trick is to let them carry you further into the ocean than to fight them. Always paddle in the direction of a breaking wave that breaks to your left or right in the direction of the current. You can then let it carry you straight back to shore and return to the shore without too much effort. Tip: Find out about the current conditions on the respective beach.

If you ever get caught in a current, stay calm, don’t panic, ask for help if you need it and manage your energy well.

What dangers does sandy or rocky ground pose for surfers?

If it’s a sandy bottom, it will feel like concrete if the wave pushes you onto it with full force. A rock reef can feel exactly like concrete, although it is much more jagged and likely to cause more injury than normal smooth concrete. Be absolutely careful with coral. First it cuts you like a razor blade. Then tiny pieces are left behind that can become infected months later. Here’s a tip: never fall off your board. Yes, ok – that’s rather unlikely!

The seabed is one of our biggest “enemies”, because a blow to the seabed can cause serious wounds and injuries and even render us unconscious. The sandy seabed can be deadly, as on the famous beach of Supertubos in Portugal, near Peniche. However, the greatest danger is on coral reefs and lava reefs, which are as sharp as razor blades and cause deep wounds. It is always advisable to wear a helmet on such surfaces, as a blow to the head can be fatal. Waves like Pipeline, Tehaupoo, Cyclops and Ours are famous for their violent wipeouts.

What are the dangers of pollution in the sea when surfing?

Last but not least, we would like to point out this hidden danger in our oceans that fills the water with radioactivity, due to disasters such as Fukushima, the nuclear explosions in the Pacific atolls of the last century, the thousands of tons of tar that are thrown into the sea every year, the millions of tons of plastic waste floating in the water, the various toxic waste, the pollution of faeces in the estuaries, etc. This danger is invisible but present every time we enter the water. – This danger is invisible, but present every time we enter the water.

Every year, more than one surfer ends up in hospital with severe poisoning, requiring urgent stomach pumping. We recommend that you do not surf in contaminated areas, as the consequences can be very serious.

Surfers spend hundreds of hours a year under the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Contrary to what is repeatedly claimed, tanning is not a good thing – it means damaged skin.

In fact, it’s an unhealthy and unsafe condition that can lead to premature skin ageing, sunburns and skin cancer. Surfers need to use highly effective, coral reef-safe sunscreen every time they put on a wetsuit. If you do get sunburnt, here are some tips for you.

Sharks just have to be at the top of the list, don’t they? Big teeth, attacks without warning, all that screaming and bubbling red water. The danger posed by sharks is obvious, but the likelihood of being attacked by a shark is less than being killed by a coconut. There are other equally dangerous sea creatures to look out for. These include seals, snakes (sea snakes, of course), crocodiles, sea urchins, jellyfish and stingrays. They can all be potentially life-threatening.

Are there sharks on Fuerteventura?

Do we also have sharks on Fuerteventura? Yes, there are sharks, but none that would attack humans. You can find out all about sharks off the coast of Fuerteventura here in our blog!

The danger with the most fatalities and the least impact is traffic accidents, which can occur when driving along the coast in search of waves. The roads are very dangerous, especially on stormy days in winter. It is very important that you drive carefully and keep your eyes on the road at all times. If you see a good peak out of the corner of your eye, pull over and stop before checking it out further. Always make sure that your car and especially the tires and brakes are in perfect condition.

What danger do locals pose?

The cute seagull in the photo above is supposed to represent locals and other “beachcombers” who could pose a threat to you while surfing.

Although localism has decreased significantly compared to the last century, there are still beaches and places where local surfers defend their favorite waves by any means necessary. It is important to always respect the locals and try to remain unnoticed in the water if you don’t know anyone. We also recommend entering the water one at a time, not jumping in with four friends at once, and always greeting the locals with a smile and showing them respect. Don’t paddle straight to the peak, but wait on the shoulder for a while first.

Are there beachcombers when surfing?

Yes, this is a real and increasing danger on our beaches as thieves know we are easy prey because we are in the water and leave all our belongings in the car or van. The target is usually our money, wallet and phone. Often the type of theft involves smashing a car window. To avoid this type of theft, it is best to install an alarm system in the car and try not to park in remote places.

We also recommend that you take your car key with you into the water or at least keep it in a safety lock. Hiding the key under a stone or in the wheel arch is not particularly advisable as you could be observed. Here are some more tips for storing your car key!

A surfboard with a leash is part of every surfer’s basic equipment. But surfboards can also cause damage. A wipeout, a spectacular jump out of the wave against the wind, a poorly executed duck dive, a closeout or an unattended board can quickly turn a surfer’s equipment into a powerful weapon.

Remember that a surfboard has a pointed nose and sharp fins that can easily cut into your skin, injure your ears and eyes and cause multiple fractures. The leash is also potentially dangerous. It can wrap around your neck or tear and hit you in the eyes.

We have already talked about the advantages and benefits of surfing for our health several times here. Surfing is undoubtedly a very fun sport in which we experience different sensations every day thanks to the changing conditions of the sea and the waves. But just as there are two sides to the coin, surfing also involves risks for those who practice it, despite being one of the safest sports to practice.

There are injuries that are more common among surfers due to the nature of surfing. Knowing these risks is the first step in preventing injuries or physical ailments that can affect those of us who surf regularly.

As a beginner, you are most likely to catch smaller waves with lighter boards, which reduces the risk of serious accidents. As an advanced surfer, you are chasing bigger waves and new challenges, so you are confronted with waves that often contain a lot of energy and break strongly. This also increases the risk of falling and getting injured.

Some of the dangers of surfing are injuries such as sprains, sprained ankles or wrists, hitting your head with the surfboard and sunburn from hours in the sun, as the reflection of the water intensifies the rays. To reduce the risk when surfing, you should warm up your muscles. An effective method is to start with light jogging until your heart rate increases, accompanied by stretching exercises. After the surf session, you should also stretch to allow your muscles to recover.

If a wetsuit does not protect you sufficiently from the cold on days with low temperatures, you may suffer from hypothermia.

Don’t forget sun protection and hydration in high temperatures.

Depending on the country you are surfing in, you should be aware of the presence of “dangerous” animals, such as in Australia or America.

If you are a beginner, you can find out in advance about the desired spot, its risks and the weather conditions. You can also learn a lot about surfing by sharing experiences with other surfers.

In the Canary Islands, especially in Fuerteventura, you will find beautiful places and paradisiacal beaches where you can catch the best waves. The warm climate that prevails most of the year allows you to surf in a unique environment with crystal clear waters and no dangerous animals.

We look forward to your visit to our surf school on Fuerteventura and our surf camp on Fuerteventura!