Surfing is the very image of cool.
Whether it’s simply because of its portrayal in film and TV, we all associate surfing with the coolest, most laid-back kind of people.
But is this the reality of the activity?
Is there any danger involved with surfing?
Surfing certainly is dangerous, to a degree. You can injure yourself and, depending on the place you surf, could even risk being swept out to sea. Marine wildlife can also be a danger. Safety precautions are a really central part of surfing. It’s really important to lessen the risk.
So, yes, the simple answer is that surfing certainly is very dangerous.
That said, mitigating and minimizing the risk is also fairly easy when you know what you are doing.
At the same time, even the most experienced surfers are prone to these risks.
Knowing the right safety precautions is the first and most important part of surfing.
Let’s find out more.
Why is surfing so dangerous?
There are a number of potential dangers involved with surfing.
Let’s start with some of the basics.
You’re out in open water, usually without a lifejacket to keep you afloat should you fall in—and you will fall in, eventually.
Thus, drowning is one of your most obvious potential dangers.
Even experienced swimmers and surfers fall into the trap of assuming it won’t happen to them—but no one is safe!
Rip currents are another danger of the water itself. Again, even the best swimmers can be swept up in rip currents, pulled underwater or dragged out to sea to drown.
You need to stay away from rip currents at all times and be able to identify them in the first place.
Another danger lurking in the water is the wildlife.
Depending on where you are, there could be any number of dangerous animals out there.
The most obvious, and probably the first that come to mind, are sharks.
Sharks certainly can be dangerous, though despite what Spielberg would have you think, they’re usually pretty harmless.
But shark attacks are still a problem.
You do still have to worry about all kinds of poisonous and paralyzing sea critters, though.
Again, be aware of what is lurking in your local area.
Other problems you might run into include water pollution, skin problems from sun exposure, and even hypothermia in cooler waters.
Surfing is very dangerous largely because the ocean and the water are very dangerous, then.
But what about for beginners?
Is surfing dangerous for beginners?
While surfing is very dangerous, as we’ve seen, there are also many ways to massively reduce the risk for beginners.
This usually starts with either practicing in a very calm sea, or a lake.
Though this doesn’t mean there’s no danger, you won’t have to worry about sharks or being swept out.
But, yes, surfing is certainly dangerous for beginners.
It’s not something you should just run into without any thought.
You need to be aware of what you’re getting into.
Even armed with the advice we’ve given you, there’s no substitute for an experienced instructor showing you the ropes.
Without experience, there’s always something you could potentially leave out or forget that could put you in danger.
Surfing is just like anything in that sense.
You can’t just run into it without knowing what you’re getting into.
Statistically, one of the biggest problems associated with surfing is getting swept out to sea.
As I said, this can happen before you even realize, and can affect even the most experienced swimmers.
Perhaps the single most important thing you can do is be aware of the local tides and the times of their movement.
Surfing is dangerous, but you can make it a whole lot safer.
What are the chances of dying while surfing?
Overall, the chances of dying while surfing are actually pretty low.
Overall, there are around 10 surfing deaths globally every year.
A small number of those are caused by contact with another surfer.
Most, however, are caused by drowning.
Attacks from marine animals account for a small number of deaths.
Shark attacks, as I mentioned, usually do not result in death.
That’s not to say they’re harmless, but they’re really not your number one concern.
The best way to prevent death while surfing is to know your local tides and know to avoid being swept out to sea.
Is it safe to do surfing?
So, overall, is surfing safe?
Well, that depends.
Overall, yes, you could say surfing is safe.
However, it is an extreme sport by its nature, and so there are always risks involved.
Statistically, though, compared with other extreme sports, the risks are relatively low.
But it’s still something you have to take seriously and fully understand the risks before you start surfing.
As I said, the single best thing you can do is get some lessons from an experienced instructor before you start surfing.
This will give you the best leg up in identifying and resolving potential safety issues.
So, surfing certainly is dangerous.
There’s no getting around that.
You need to be prepared for what can happen and what can go wrong, otherwise, you are putting yourself at serious risk.
The precise nature of these risks will depend on where you are surfing, though there are some that are present surfing anywhere.
Just be aware of what you’re getting into before you start, and don’t get carried away in the excitement.
