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The
sun has set on the 2005 Easterns, and this year's crop of winners
may be one of the most deserving in recent memory. Fighting through
a storm delay and difficult conditions, many athletes carved their
names into the history books in Hatteras this year. View the results
for the 2005 event or find more info in the Easterns subsite...
The
Big Chill-Out XV
PPSC's annual surf-contest fundraiser is set for October 8, 2005
at Pacifica State Beach. "The majority of the money we raise
goes to support Ride-A-Wave, we all know what a great organization
that is," writes club president Greg Cochran. Proceeds also
support the Pacifica Beach Coalition, Pacificans Care, and the
Surfrider Foundation. Longboard riders of all ages will compete
in seven divisions in the one-day event. Come down to the beach
to compete, to hang and win something in the raffle, or for the
dinner and awards ceremony that night. $65 entry fee includes
the contest, dinner, and ceremony.
Health
Effects of Coastal Water Pollution
To get the real skinny on the health effects of coastal water
pollution, talk to a surfer. While catching the waves, surfers
are also catching colds, stomach bugs, and more. Surfers long
ago made the connection between sick days and urban storm drains
dumping untreated runoff from streets, yards, and waterways into
beach water. But researchers have now calculated the likelihood
of surfes succumbing to waterborne bacteria and viruses.
Environmental
scientist Ryan H. Dwight of the University of California at Irvine,
and colleagues interviewed 1,873 surfers in two California surfing
hot spots: rural Santa Cruz County and urban northern Orange County.
Their symptoms include fever, nausea, stomach pain, sore throats,
and eye, ear, and skin infections. The team reported in the April
2005 American Journal of Public Health that every additional 2.5
hours that surfers in either county spent in the water increased
by 10% their likelihood of developing symptoms, the team writes.
Safe
Surfing and Etiquette
If
you are planning to start surfing your first step should be to
take a surfing lesson at an Irish Surfing Approved Surf Club,
School or Adventure Centre. Here you will be introduced to the
sport in a safe environment, you will be given all the information,
advice and basic skills required to get started. Your progress
will be much quicker, the experience more enjoyable and you will
be more likely to reach your full potential as a surfer if you
take this route into the sport.
This
may seem like common sense but as with all watersports you should
only surf if you can swim and you should never surf alone. Learn
to observe the ocean so you can identify rips, wind changes and
other hazards. This will reduce the risk and will help you become
a better surfer.
If
you are unfamiliar with a break check with local surfers. Ensure
that the waves you are surfing are of a size and power suitable
to your ability. Do not get too confident. Stick to beaches until
you become an experienced surfer. A novice paddling out at a reef
is not only a danger to themselves but to all the other surf users
around them.
Make
sure your equipment, especially your leash, is in good order.
If you are a novice you may want to consider using a foam board
for your own safety and the safety of others. Other safety equipment
such as helmets and nose guards are available. It is much easier
to spot a brightly colored wetsuit or surfboard at sea in the
event of you requiring rescuing.
If
you do find yourself in difficulty it is important to stay calm
and always stay with your board. Your board will act as a flotation
device. If you get caught in a rip do not try to paddle against
it, this will only tire you out and get you nowhere. Paddle across
the rip and you will quickl y find yourself out of difficulty.
When
you ‘wipe out’ do not come to the surface too soon,
allow your board time to land and come to the surface with your
hands over your head. When paddling out, always check behind you
before abandoning your board.
Never
‘drop in’ on another surfer. ‘Dropping in’
is taking off on a wave in front of someone who has right of way.
The surfer nearest the peak or breaking part of the wave has priority
or right of way. When two surfers catch the same wave the surfer
closest to the pocket or breaking part of the wave, has priority
so the other surfer should pull off the wave.
Be
aware of other water users and always show respect for other surfers
regardless of kraft (kayaks, bodyboards, bodysurfers and all other
surfers). Above all, keep a good attitude. Be friendly in the
water. Apologize if you make a mistake.
More
here
http://www.isasurf.ie/index.php?page=safety
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