Surf Shops in Australia

Safety Tips For Beginner Surfers

Surfing is a very exciting outdoor leisure activity, however surfing can also be extremely dangerous. If you are one of those people who are about to try surfing for the first time, the following are some of the safety tips that you should learn in order to have a fun and accident-free surfing experience:

• Know your limitations. Surfing is a showmanship sport. You display your talent and skill in riding on waves before a huge number of spectators. But you should know when to stop. Remember that remaining alive is the most pleasant thing that you can share with your audience. So if the waves are rough and high, do not assume that you can handle it. The most courageous thing that you can do during this time is to swim to the shore and secure your life.
• Surf with a partner. Never ride the waves alone. Surfing with a group of people or even just a partner is one of the most practical things that a beginner should do. If you surf with someone, help is immediately in reach. You should be informed however, that surfers should maintain a five to ten feet distance from one another to avoid accidents.
• Look for lifeguards on duty. Avoid surfing when you could not see any lifeguard on duty. Even you surf with group, it still necessary to surf with a lifeguard observing your every move. Your co-surfers have their own individual business while surfing so they can't actually respond to your needs as quickly as a lifeguard could.
• Watch out for sea creatures. Any body of water holds a diverse range of marine life, many of which can be highly hazardous to your health. Australia is no exception and holds some of the most deadly sea creatures in the world. Many local marine species are highly toxic and dangerous to humans. Examples range from the painful (but not deadly) stings of 'Blue Bottles' to deadly blue ringed octopus and stone fish. It pays to do a bit of background research on the native marine life in your local area as well as learning to apply the proper treatments. Information on both identifying dangerous marine life and treating seeking treatment for contact with them can be found in any first aid certificate course or book.