How to Avoid Catching Waterborne Diseases and Infections While Surfing

"There are a lot of things living in the water that you probably don't know about. I surfed in France and there were microscopic crabs in the water that burrowed up my nose and in my hair." -Timmy Reyes, O'Neill Surf Team Rider

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dish Soap
• Antibacterial Soaps
• First Aid Kits
• Vitamin C
• Noseplugs
• Earplugs
• Vitamin C

1. Contact the Surfrider Foundation (surfrider.org) to learn about water-quality issues at the beaches you use.

2. Obey beach closure signs when they are posted because of high bacteria counts.

3. Surf in areas that are away from major drainage outfalls and river outlets, where urban or agricultural runoff is significant.

4. Watch what you eat if it was caught in these waters, and make sure not to wash your dishes and silverware upstream (if you're traveling in a remote area).

5. Wait three days after it rains before surfing near outfalls and river outlets.

6. Wear earplugs and nose plugs if you know you are surfing in a contaminated area and are too stubborn to stay out of the water altogether.

7. Rinse off with fresh water, and clean and dry out your ears after surfing.

8. Load up on vitamin C to ward off minor illnesses.

Tips & Warnings

• Try not to swallow water or swish it around in your mouth, where you might have open cuts. Gargling is not recommended.
• Surfing or swimming in waters high in bacteria (fecal coliform counts) can put you at risk of catching serious diseases that require treatment.
• If you feel ill after being in the water, contact a physician or other health-care professional immediately and tell him or her when and where you were in the water. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!