A discussion on age and health for surfers.

As we grow older we are faced with various health issues that come with age and the wear and tear on our bodies, both from our daily lives and from surfing. I talk about the wide variety of issues I face and how I deal with them.

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Surf Survival - The Surfer's Health Handbook:

00:00 Intro
01:45 Surfer's Ear
05:59 Neck
08:02 Shoulders
13:07 Ribs
15:22 Wrist
20:24 Hips
21:49 Knees
24:25 Feet
25:50 Heart
35:03 Health and Well-being

[alwaysgoingleft]

Hey great vid. Regarding surfer's ear, I've had it bad for decades. Last 22 years surfing Northern California and before that Christchurch winters. I'm back in Chch now. In California I had one ear cut off and drilled 15 years ago after persistent infections, but I didn't wear plugs after and it came right back after 5 years. I'm at 90% closure on the 'fixed' ear and 99% on the untouched ear. This was measured a few years back by Dr Hetzler in Santa Cruz, the foremost expert on surfer's ear. He developed the chisel method which has taken over from drilling.
Long story short - use Mack's Plugs, the silicon ones. My ears have stabilised because I use them every single session. It's not worth going through what I did, it was horrid. Please, anyone reading this who's dealing with symptoms - get some Mack's from the chemist.

[jeffgc]

Get a sauna/cooling routine in your week! And life begins again

[timingles-pkfq]

Thanks for informative vid, like most of us the bodily issues would bore a saint, at 68 i still surf whenever there's waves( northland east coast) and find regular bike rides very helpfull. Not super long or fast but short rides with hill work are great for that lower body strength especially important for timely popups!
I dislike consistent gym type exercising but manage a short yoga routine most days with mainly hip openers and plenty of cobras. Probably the thing i most worry about is losing that stoke, easy to say if conditions are not ideal that ill give it a miss and do something else and then fell guilty all day for coping out !

[Gerry-pu]

G’day Tui,
Really appreciate your frankness about ailments associated with surfing as we get older. I’m now 67 and find that i am getting more ailments as age progresses. Regarding your neck problems, I’ve had the same whiplash type injury from wipeouts. Ive seen a wonderful Physiotherapist who has given me a great set of exercises to do to strengthen and loosen the upper back and neck. Would suggest you do the same. Also, a short course of an anti-inflammatory, 24-48 hours can help dramatically reduce that initial inflammatory reaction.

[stuartgaylor]

Really enjoy your videos 👍 Tui is it?
Just got back from a surf in Raglan 😊
Sounds like you need a strengthening program.
Like you I have had too many injuries over the years and recently a pinched nerve in my back last October and have only just got back to surfing, its been a long rehabilitation journey which is still going on.
I am 50 and through my physio I have been getting specific exercises for my surfing as well as strengthening my glutes etc.
He told me that if I want to keep doing the sports I need to look at joining a gym to maintain and improve on what we’re achieving now.
He is going to send me away with a program and also help me alter it as I get stronger, super lucky to have them in my corner.
It’s a bugger getting older 😂