9 Surfing Safety Tips Every Rider Should Follow

1)Always check the weather reports before going out to surf. Often times a day can start out with crystal clear blue skies and within a couple of hours, can turn into a nasty storm with dangerous currents. Especially in a sport like surfing, where its easy to lose track of time out on the water, know what youre getting into ahead of time so you can be mindful of impending weather conditions.
2)Know the area to make sure youre aware of any potential currents, rocks, coral, etc. You can talk to local surfers about this by going to an areas local surf shop or by reaching out to surfing groups online.
3)Make sure you abide by surfing etiquette, especially in unfamiliar areas. Surfing is a sport enjoyed by many people. You must be mindful of other surfers around you so that you dont incur any accidents or dont get involved in altercations when it comes to stealing a good wave.
4)Dont surf alone. Its always best to surf in pairs or even better a group. Keep an eye out for one another to make sure everyone is accounted for at all times. If someone has a girlfriend, sister, or relative who wants to watch from the shore, even better. In this case, its always better to be safe than sorry. Dont have someone to go with? There are tons of surfing message boards and local groups where you can meet people to surf with.
5)Always try to surf in areas where there is a lifeguard. Sometimes this isnt always feasible, but make every effort to do so. It could potentially save your life, or the lives of others.
6)Dont surf when theres an approaching storm or hurricane. Tons of people do it in Florida, and other Atlantic coastal regions, but this isnt something we recommend, especially considering the unpredictable conditions that can arise, and because one of the number one causes of death in hurricanes is from drowning.
7)Always bring a cell phone with you in case of an emergency. Youll need to leave it ashore but its best to have one on-hand in case you or one of your friends is involved in an accident.
8)Always let someone know where youre going and when you expect to be back. Due to the risks associated with surfing, its important to let people know where youre going, so if theres a problem, you can be found immediately. Nothing is worse than fear of the unknown, especially when it involves a loved one.
9)This should be a given, but dont surf in areas known for sharks and other animal life, including man-of-war. Dont skim in areas known for stingrays either.