When summer comes, people surf more often. As a result, people get injured more often. Quite a few of my friends and acquaintances are complaining of a sore this and a strained that. Several friends continue to surf even though their bodies are waving the white flag of defeat.
When warned about slowing down or perhaps taking some time off to recover, these friends continue down the path of least resistance, the path that will certainly end in a few days or weeks out of the water.
I’ve come up with a few rules to help surfers assess whether their overworked bodies are crying out for relief. These are my rules. I’m no expert, but decades of playing hard and getting hurt while doing so have taught me a thing or two.
You should not surf following an injury if you cannot:
1. Walk without people assuming you were parked in the handicapped space;
2. Get in and out of bed without screaming;
3. Take your board off the top of the car and carry it to the water without the aid of the old guy who is actually parked in the handicapped space;
4. Comfortably wax your board without stopping to whimper;
5. Tread water in such a way that the lifeguard doesn’t feel compelled to rescue you; and
6. Execute a pop-up that doesn’t involve grunting, groaning or crying.
Following these rules simple rules will help you understand when to listen to your body and when to fight through the pain. Just remember that there will always be another wave, but you only get one body. Keep your body happy and it will repay the favor.
Guest post courtesy of Surfsister Mary Mills. Heed her advice or you will suffer the consequences!
surf injuries
