Staying Safe

The siren call to travel resides within each and every surfer whether it’s to the next point up the coast or the opposite end of the globe. Generations of surfers have answered this call and while some have been rewarded with their own version of perfection, a few have experienced disaster.

The saying Failing To Plan is Planning to Fail has never been truer when placed in the context of surf travel, where danger and perfection usually abound in equal quantities. Without good preparation, disaster quickly replaces euphoria.

Here’s a few essentials to consider before embarking on your next journey in search of perfection:

Get fit

A fit and healthy body is more resistant to weird strains of diseases and infections, besides you’ll surf longer, turn harder and feel more confident when the swell starts building.

Check the swell charts

These days you can get a pretty good indication of what the swell is going to do a week in advance. It would be good to follow the swell charts of the area you’re visiting to get an idea of how the swell is trending and then closer to departure what the forecast is looking like. This will give you the opportunity to pack the right boards or fins, or even medical kits based on the size of the swell you’re likely to be dealing with.

Travel insurance

It’s not just in the event that you get scalped on the reef or snap your leg under the weight of a giant collapsing barrel, but it’s also in the event of stolen luggage, flight cancellations and other natural disasters that could leave you in debt for years. Overseas emergency costs can and do mount radically. Insurance is essential, it’s not even a debate.

Sun protection

It’s the morning of your first day on the boat. You’re stoked as all hell to be in the sun easing into the best waves you’ve seen all year. Later that night you’re throwing up, shivering and shaking and have a violent headache. It’s an all too common story and that’s just the start. More extreme cases of sunstroke can result in death, so if you’re not usually out in the sun all day, pace yourself and ease into your new tropical lifestyle. And take ample and multiple sun protection measures.

Medical kit

It’s the last thing you think about when dreaming about your up coming surf trip, but the reality is that you do get cuts and abrasions when you’re charging barrels or living in the great outdoors. It’s important to treat these immediately by cleaning them thoroughly and applying a strong antiseptic ointment. So that’s the first thing a surfer has in his medical kit. Others include rehydration tablets or powder, plasters and bandages, pain killers, after sun gel and the local contact number of your insurance company.

Just before you go

As the hour of your departure draws near expect multiple mild panick attacks. What if I forget this, did I pack that? At the end of the day there’s really only a few key things you absolutely have to have. Passport, money, insurance and your surfboards. If you don’t have these you’re screwed.