PROTECTING THE LEGAL INTERESTS OF INJURED HAWAII RESIDENTS AND VISITORS SINCE 1973

Tricks and tips to stay safe while surfing

On Behalf of | Nov 7, 2017 | Personal Injury |

Surfing is a pretty safe sport for those who are strong swimmers and experienced wave riders. However, numerous vacationers come to Hawaii every year with the idea of learning the sport, and these surf “”newbies”” may be in danger of getting hurt.

You don’t want a Hawaii surf vacation to get ruined by a serious accident, so make sure to review the following surf tips to stay safe on your trip.

Follow these tips to prevent injuries while riding Hawaii waves

Here are your tips and tricks for a safe surfing vacation:

  • Take a lesson: Never go out into the ocean with a surfboard as a complete novice. Having a few lessons from an experienced instructor will do wonders to keep you safe. Your instructor will give you a solid foundation of safety knowledge that will stay with you for the rest of your surfing career.
  • Ramp up your swimming skills: If you’re not a good swimmer, you should stay away from surfing. Take swimming lessons, and don’t attempt to go surfing until you’re an extremely confident swimmer.
  • Tell someone where you are: Don’t go into the ocean alone without telling someone where you’ve gone. Tell a family member or friend where you’ve gone, and better yet, have someone on land who’s keeping an eye on you.
  • Check weather conditions: If you hear that the ocean is particularly hazardous, or if it looks too rough for your experience level, don’t go into the ocean that day. Wait till the waves are calmer so you can surf safely.
  • If your equipment in good shape? Your surfboard should be in good shape, and you should also have a good wetsuit to keep you warm. In addition, check to make sure the leash on your surfboard is in good repair.
  • Keep your head safe: If you wipe out in shallow water, your head and neck will be in danger. Always put your arms forward to protect your head, and be careful not to dive into shallow water.
  • Look out for other surfers: Collisions while surfing aren’t uncommon. Keep a lookout for other surfers to prevent a dangerous collision.
  • Learn CPR: Take a CPR and first aid safety course. You never know when you might need to help a fellow surfer who’s been hurt.
  • Assist others: Look out for other surfers who might be struggling or in need. If you can’t help the person, go to the shore and call for emergency assistance.

Did you get hurt on your surfing vacation?

Hawaii vacationers who are participating in a surfing class or other surfing event should expect to finish their surfing experience unharmed. However, if a vacationer gets seriously hurt at a surfing school, he or she might have the ability to pursue financial damages in court.

Archives