What are the 7 ways to surf safer?

Answer 1

1. Don't be a kook - Understand your own limits, if you feel like you can't surf in the conditions your about to paddle out in...Don't

2. Wax your board - You'll need to put wax on your board, so you don't kook it! Wax is pretty much the standard accessory you'll need to get you through your sessions

3. Wear a leg rope - Unless you're super experienced it's always a good idea to grab yourself a leg rope/leash so your board doesn't crack someone in the head, no one wants to get knocked out in the water...and if you don't have too much Surfing fitness yet this will save the hassle of swimming to shore every time you kook it.

4. Be aware of the conditions - Pretty straight forward really, you wouldn't jump into a lions' cage would you? No...Didn't think so...The ocean is a beast of a thing! raw nature! changes all the time...So to prevent near death/drowning experiences access what the tides, currents/rips are doing before entering the water. No one wants to see a purple (Human) Puffer fish on the shoreline gasping for air!

5. Sun Protection - If you're going to bake your potato head surfing for hours you may want to consider some type of skin protection and let's not forget all the nasty stuff in today's sunscreens...Maybe consider grabbing a natural alternative or what everyone seems to call "Organic" these days! At the end of the day you don't want chemicals absorbed into your skin do you?

(Another view: sun protection is really important, and especially so by the sea. Take time to research what is necessary, and make sure if you go for an alternative type that it's actually proved and certified to work. Surfing isn't worth skin cancer.)

6. Surf with a friend - You can also surf with a mate, this drastically improves your chances of survival from shark attacks - 50% reduction if the 2 of you are floating around like seal pups.

And it's more fun really...You can both froth on the session and if you get an epic little shack you'll have proof to tell all your friends about it...They will naturally hate/envy you as they were working their 9-5 job thinking about getting pitted.

7. Don't be kook - Respect others out in the water, if your not from that surf area/beach remember they are locals who have climbed the ranks from the age 5...It's easy to know who they generally are...They're the guys who sit on the main part of the peak in the line up and yell out to their friends in front of you and paddle past you the whole session! Don't lose your head, this is just how it works, you gotta put in the time at your local...build relationships within the community of surfers, and who knows once you're able to do a proper turn you'll get your share! Enjoy!