There’s something magical about the open ocean. We certainly can’t get enough of it here at StorQuest. Surfing, water skiing, wake boarding, kayaking, or swimming – hitting the beach is always a good time. Now whether you live in beautiful New Smyrna Beach, Florida, or are traveling to one of the many surf destinations around the world, you should always remember to put safety first before diving in.

At StorQuest Self Storage, we work as hard as we play, and sometimes we can’t tell the difference between the two. When it comes to playing in the surf, your safety comes as a top priority. Stay safe in the surf with these five tips.

Safe Surf Tips

Surf Etiquette

Before you saddle up on that surfboard, be sure you follow these important safety tips. Being in the know will help protect you against common mistakes and occupational hazards.

• Surf somewhere suitable for your abilities – if you’re a beginner, don’t try to surf big breaks with the pros
• Keep a hold of your surfboard at all times
• Remember, the right of way goes to the surfer closest to the peak or the point at which the wave starts to break laterally
• Don’t drop in ahead of the surfer with the right of way
• Always be on the lookout of your surroundings including the surfers around you

In addition to looking out for your own safety and those around you, you will help ensure everyone gets their rightful turn.

Don’t Surf for Too Long

While it may be tempting to stay out all day when the New Smyrna Beach surf is good, it’s not in your best interest when it comes to personal safety. Be sure to get out of the water before dark in order to see where you’re going and what you’re doing. With limited visibility comes danger. Surfing close to dusk increases the chances you’ll hit another surfer, not see a hazard in the water (like a buoy or jagged rocks), or that someone else won’t see you.

Another danger of surfing too long? Don’t keep ripping waves until you reach the point of exhaustion. You need your strength to get in and out of the water safely. While those epic waves may have your adrenaline pumping, it won’t matter if you’re not strong enough to paddle out. When you’re tired, it decreases your awareness. Surf smart and stay safe.

Wear Sunscreen and Stay Hydrated

We know. We sound like your mom. Wearing sunscreen helps prevent gnarly sunburns. If you want to stay in the game and protect your skin from future damage, lather up. Cloudy and overcast? It’s just as important to wear sunscreen on these days as it is on scorchers.

Hydration also plays a large role in your surf safety. It harkens back to the human body being made up of 50-65% water. We need water to survive, plain and simple. Hydration helps you avoid heat exhaustion and dehydration, both of which could have a severe negative effect on your regime. Drink lots of water to stay on top of your game and increase your personal safety out in the open ocean.

The Surfer’s Helmet: Keep Your Head Protected

While it may be difficult, try to avoid falling head first into the water when you wipe out. If possible, your first movement should be to cover your head with your arms. In doing so, you can help protect yourself from potential hazards including your own surfboard, other surfers, and the ocean floor. Be especially careful in shallow water where head injuries occur more often.

Learn About Rip Currents

Learning about rip currents can help you navigate rough waters and protect yourself and your surfing partners from disaster. These occur when a body of water moves back out to sea, carrying unsuspecting swimmers and surfers along with it.

You can identify rip currents by waveless channels of ripples and, sometimes, discolored water. They may appear to look like rivers flowing through the surf zone. While it may be tempting to take this seemingly calm route out of the water, it can be extremely dangerous. This article at Mpora.com has more information to get you started on learning about the dangers of rip currents.

Stay Safe in the Surf

At StorQuest, we are surfers, skiers, bikers, hikers, underwater explorers, and mountain peak conquerors. For our friends in New Smyrna Beach and surfers all across the world, let’s keep surf safety top of mind when hitting the waves. And when you’re looking for a convenient space to store your surfboards and gear in the off-season, we can help. StorQuest offers self storage in New Smyrna Beach and all across the United States.