Can Surfing and Laser Eye Surgery Mix?


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There are certain surgical procedures we often hear about, such as hip replacement, that mean an end to an athletic lifestyle – active, maybe, but not in the mold of those who love to run, jump, climb and occasionally fall down. Laser eye surgery, however, is not one of those procedures. Look no further than NBA All-Star Grant Hill, who underwent Chicago lasik eye surgery and says, “I couldn’t be happier about my 20/20 vision”.

Ride the Waves

Anyone who has ever tried surfing will tell you that it requires a great deal of athleticism and balance, not to mention excellent vision, especially peripheral vision. Clearly, glasses and contact lenses are less than suitable for the open-water environment. Thus the only way in which a surfer with impaired vision might get to see 20/20 while “Hanging 10″ is through laser eye surgery.

Two-Week Waiting Period

The glare of the sun, the reflection off the water, the wind and the sea-salt spray all combine to challenge the eyes significantly. While patients who have undergone refractive correction can certainly return to the water after fully healing, laser eye surgeons recommend that they refrain from doing so for – at a minimum – two to three weeks. The same can be said of such activities as sailing, skiing and scuba diving, which can also contaminate the healing eyes.

In very few instances, patients can experience cloudy vision, or vision that is impeded somewhat by a “halo” effect, or there may be increased sensitivity to bright light. These may be temporary after-effects, or may in some cases require a follow-up visit to the eye surgeon. Those are the exceptions to the rule, though, and most surfers (or athletes in any sport) will accomplish and enjoy their endeavors more with perfect eyesight.


Need a Creative Way to Market your Surf Shop?


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Surfing is one of the most exciting sports in the world that can be enjoyed almost all year round (depending on the state that you live in) but for many surf shop owners they may feel like their shop is stuck on a desert island if they are not doing any marketing for their business.

Freebies

Surfers love free stuff and won’t hesitate to use something that they have been given for free. To succeed with freebies you should choose a promotional item that any surfer who comes to your store would want to use every day like hats, sunglasses, duffel bags, t-shirts, flip flops and shorts. It’s also a great idea to create a cool logo and have stickers printed up with your logo, business name and website address because anytime someone sees one of your stickers they will see your website address and check out your products.

Food

After spending another day out in the water the first thing that every surfer wants to do is eat that’s why you should meet with business owners who own restaurants within a ten mile radius of the beach and set up a cross promotion with them where you will place their fliers or business cards in your surf shop in exchange for them placing your advertisements or business cards in their restaurant.

Become a Sponsor

Every beach town in the United States has special days for beach clean-up and events for sporting events like volleyball or over the line. To become well known in your community start sponsoring these days or events and more people will become aware of your business plus see you as someone they want to do business with.

Teach

Another great way to generate more business for your surf shop is to start offering free surf lessons to people who qualify or free surf camps. These teaching opportunities will give you the ability to establish yourself as a surfing expert in your community and someone that people who are interested in learning how to surf will want to know.

Interested in guerrilla marketing ideas that will help your business?


Is Surfing Taking a Toll on your Skin?


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Unless you’ve managed to find a spot where you can surf in freshwater with no sun… Yes. Surfing will take a toll on your skin.

Fun in the Sun

Fun in the sun is only fun if you’ve got the proper sunscreen applied before the fun begins. There are plenty of waterproof sunscreens on the market though some may have a hard time standing up to saltwater. If you have found a place that you can surf in freshwater, more power to you. Applying waterproof sunscreen often, while surfing or swimming, is an absolute must for proper skin care. A wet suit isn’t a bad idea either. Not only will it help keep you warm (should the waters be a tad frigid) but it will cover your arms and legs; which in turn will prevent them from the sun’s harmful rays. Your face, neck and ears are pretty much up for grabs. Not too many people can keep a wide brimmed hat on while surfing. It’s definitely an acquired talent.

Don’t Pour Salt in the Wound

Or on your skin. Salt water dries out your skin in a big way so be sure to have plenty of moisturizer handy when you leave the water. And rather than allowing all that saltwater to evaporate from your skin, towel off when you come out of the water. If there is a place where you can rinse off with fresh water, do so. The faster you get the salt off of your skin the better chance you stand of salvaging its natural moisture.

Of course the worst toll surfing can take on your skin is a shark bite. Those hundreds of razor sharp teeth can do irreparable damage to your skin. Best to steer clear of the shark infested beaches… no matter how gnarly the waves are… Dude.

Are than any benefits to injections acide hyaluronique over other methods?


Protect your Eyes when you Aren’t Surfing


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Surfing, swimming and other outside activities are great fun and relaxing; however, when you’ve finished with these activities or taking a break from them, you need to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. Sunscreen, towels and swimsuits protect your body but you also need sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful rays of the sun.

Often, some of us forget how dangerous and harmful the suns (UV) rays can be to our eyes. The damage that can occur is usually gradual and not noticeable for a long time. Over exposure to the sun can cause cataracts and macular degeneration. Some also feel that overexposure to the sun’s rays can contribute to a kind of growth on the surface of the eye—known as pterygium.

Buy Quality Sunglasses

So, to prevent damage to your eyes, purchase sunglasses that block out 99-100% of the UV rays. Make certain that they are quality glasses and not an inexpensive brand that are ineffective and put your eyes in danger. Too much exposure to the eyes can also cause sunburn of the eyes and that can be painful. When this happens one will experience pain for a few hours after exposure from the sun. This condition is often temporary and goes away within a day or two but if it persists, a physician should be seen.

Protect Yourself from Reflecting Water

Another point to keep in mind when you’re surfing is to be aware of the sun—and its reflection off the water. This reflection of the water on the eyes is intense and puts additional strain on the eyes; especially if the exposure goes on for too many hours. Other things you can do to protect your eyes when not surfing is to wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap and when you swim protect your eyes by wearing goggles. Goggles will protect your eyes from the sun and from chlorine—especially if you’re swimming in a pool. Chlorine can make your eyes puffy and red. And, if you swim or surf in a lake, bacteria can get underneath your contact lenses and bring on inflammation of the cornea.

Looking to get 3D glasses with a bit more personality?
 


Teaching Your Kids To Have A Love For The Ocean Starts Young


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In this day and age many parents are starting early with instilling morals and values in their children like respecting children of all races, helping others and saving the planet but what about loving the ocean?

Instilling a love for the ocean in children at an early age is important because the ocean faces more and more challenges every single year and as civilization progresses there will be a need for more people to step up and fight for the health of the world’s oceans.

How To Get Started

Many children first fall in love with the ocean and marine life during their school age years thanks to field trips to their local aquarium, instruction from teachers in their science classes and more.

When children come home a parent can keep up their children’s love of the ocean by planning weekend trips with their children to the ocean to explore tide pools and to the local library to rent DVD’s and check out books about the ocean too.

Encourage It

Once a child expresses a love for the ocean it’s important to encourage it every way possible by making regular trips to the ocean, encouraging children to collect seashells, study sea creatures that have washed up on the beach and take pictures of birds and other things that they find on trips to the ocean so they can remember their experiences for years to come.

With the Internet age parents have a huge asset at their disposal and have the ability to literally bring the ocean into their homes unlike ten or twenty years ago. Every parent who has a child that loves the ocean should make an effort to sit down with their child on a regular basis to watch videos about the ocean, study conservation websites and make every effort to insure that their child is up to date with the latest information to save the oceans.

When the time comes to take a family trip to the ocean, don’t forget all the supplies you need life jackets, towels. Also remember the after day at the beach supplies, such as soap and dream baby bath spout cover.


Keep Your Surfer Skin Looking Young


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Many surfers are dedicated to getting in a surfing session whenever they can and will spending all the money that they have to go where the waves are but as surfers age the harmful effects of spending so much time in the salt water and open air begins to have an adverse effect on their skin.

How Surfers Can Protect Their Skin

People who love surfing and don’t want to stop enjoying it as they get older must take protecting their skin more seriously by investing in a heavy duty full body sunblock plus lip balm that’s at least a 30 SPF and then rubbing that sunblock on the parts of their body that will be exposed to the sun before their next time out in the water.

Many male surfers who are losing their hair as they grow older should consider investing in a cap with a brim that they can wear in the water because the cap will protect their head and shade their eyes as they wait for their next wave.

Another thing that surfers should consider investing in is a rash vest or rash guard. These are excellent for protecting surfer’s shoulders and back from getting sunburned.

Skin Care Routine At Home

Once a surfer comes home from another surfing session they can feel as greased up as their surf boards and the first thing they usually do is take a shower. To insure that all traces of sunblock are removed from their bodies, surfers should invest in a flannel wash cloth and good over the counter shower gel to insure that all traces of sunblock, salt and other pollutants from the water are removed.

Older surfers who had one to many sunburns over the years and are noticing that their faces are beginning to show the effects of time should consider skin care treatments like Dermal Fillers or Juvederm UK to reduce facial lines, lift sagging skin and keep their youthful appearance for years to come.


Planning a Surfer Themed Fundraiser?


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Fundraising can be great fun and help many in need. A surfer themed fundraising website can be especially fun but planning for it must be detailed and organized. To ensure that your surfer themed fundraiser is effective and great fun, think first about the invitation. You can choose from such patterns and titles as: Beach Resort: Surf, Seaside Palms, Bright Boards: Light Turquoise or Birthday Surfari: Khaki.

How about Sending out Celebrate Cards?

You can also send out Let’s Celebrate Cards, Reply Cards or a Welcome Letter for Out of Towners with this kind of event. You will also need to buy some surf party table linens. There are many options to choose from. If your budget is limited, try a classic solid linen such as a cream linen or complimentary white linen. If you are hosting a surfing them party in your home, most color schemes will work. Always plan your table décor around your linen colors. Place mats can also work and give a creative and fun look. You can also use place mats as place cards by making a page for each guest. Keep in mind, too, your place card table buffet tables, your gift table and other tables when deciding on your linen count.

Centerpieces are a Must!

For centerpieces that can make this event stand out, think about pouring sand in the middle of table. Then, place a palm tree on the sand—a little bit off center and a sculpture in the center. Tropical flower arrangements add beauty and charm to surfer themed fundraisers. You can have fun and add color and zest to this kind of event by choosing a different sculpture for every table. Once the party is over, you can give to special friends or family, certain figures or donate them to charitable organizations.


Wearing Glasses Shouldn’t Stop You From Surfing


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If you like to surf, don’t be concerned about wearing glasses. There are plenty of options for people who like to play sports and for people who like to be in the water. You can now get eyeglasses that are more like goggles, so you can still see while you surf. They won’t come off in the water and you won’t have to worry about damaging them because they’re built very strongly. While they can cost more than regular glasses, they’re very important for anyone who’s into water sports.

Surfing Safely Means Being Able to See Danger

Some people just leave their eyeglasses behind when surfing, so they don’t risk losing them. Unfortunately, that can keep them from seeing the dangers that exist. Surfers can be harmed by sharks, boats and personal watercraft, other water sport enthusiasts, and obstructions in the water like sand bars and reefs. Wearing glasses doesn’t guarantee you’ll see everything in time to avoid a problem, but you’ll have a lot better chance of seeing things clearly and correctly.

Make Sure You Get Good Glasses

Whether you choose actual glasses or elect to get a goggle-style lens that you can easily wear while surfing, make sure you get something that’s going to hold up well. You don’t want your lenses to get damaged, scratched, or broken, and you certainly don’t want to lose your glasses – no matter what style they are – to a rough wave that you weren’t expecting.

Overall, wearing eyeglasses should never stop you from surfing. Just investigate the possibilities and determine what you need in order to handle your surfing safely. There are only so many dangers you can protect yourself from, but being able to see well while you’re out on the water is something you can do to help avoid problems and have a better time.


West Aussie Heroes Get More Than They Expected


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Big-wave surfers are mental. 40-knot winds and sheeting rain do not deter them from riding big swell. When the buoy readings get into the 7, 8, 9 meter-range, then big-wave surfers grab their gear and head out to chance that the wind and sea will cooperate just long enough for them to get a few glorious rides.

That’s exactly what happened to Alfy Carter and Dave Delroy Carr last week off the southwest Australian coast. The swell was predicted to be big, so they were hoping to get some waves. Everyone else stayed home due to the gale-force winds and terrible weather. When the two surfers arrived, the water was freezing, the wind was howling, and the upset water was a deep chocolate-brown.

As they hoped, the wind died down and they got a chance to snap some photos of the monstrous waves. Alfy caught one wave that will put him in contention for Oakley Surfing Life Big Wave Awards to be judged in February 2010. He also got one that tossed him like a rag-doll towards the limestone reef below the black water. He had too much speed, stalled too hard, and was pulled up the face before being thrown toward the reef.

This was Dave’s first session with Alfy and he thinks they got pretty lucky. He’s hoping to get to the spot again on another big day. Competing for the $35,000 prize up for grabs is a big incentive to catch the biggest wave surfed in Australian waters for the season.


Know The Surfing Basics


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surf-basicsAll it takes to become a surfer is a board, a beach, and some determination. Anyone new to surfing that doesn’t have a friend or mentor to introduce the sport needs to learn the rules. Knowing the dos and don’ts will prevent injuries, fights, dirty looks, and maybe even save your life. Surfing is fun, but the ocean needs to be respected.

First, know your limits. “When in doubt, don’t go out.” If you are uncomfortable with the conditions, then stay on the beach. There is no shame in watching a swell as it comes into your local beach. The more you watch the more you will learn about the ocean and her moods. Study the waves, how the current moves, where the rips are. You may find that after some time watching you feel confident and want to try. This rule also implies that you are fit and comfortable with the ocean. People that are fit and have good stamina can push their limits, while fair-weather or out of shape surfers should really make sure they are ready for the conditions.

Next, always tell someone where you are going or bring a buddy. The buddy system kept you alive on field trips in first grade and it will keep you safe while surfing. Whether the waves are small or huge, having a friend around to keep an eye out for each other is helpful. If no one will surf with you or you prefer to be alone, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be home.

Be aware of your surroundings. Look for the lifeguard tower if there is one, any dangerous rock outcroppings in the water, and locate rips. If the is strong current, watch a few sets come in and determine the best way to paddle out before you get wet. Notice the crowd and judge the skill level. Beginner surfers are less able to control their boards and crowds increase the risk of injury. Remember, most surfing injuries are caused by surfboards striking surfers.

Don’t paddle out if you are drunk, extremely hung-over, or in any other fashion intoxicated. It is unsafe for you and those around to not be in control, especially when the waves are big. Save the drinking for after your session. Give yourself 45 minutes to digest food before paddling out.

Once you are ready to paddle out, observe the basic rules in the line-up. Give priority to the surfer closest to the peak or first on his feet. Learn how to duck dive and don’t throw your board in a crowd. If you can’t control your board, keep practicing and avoid endangering others by avoided crowds in serious conditions. Respect locals and the pecking order, especially if you are visiting. Just because a friend invited you to surf a new spot, doesn’t mean the locals are going to like you in the line-up. Show respect and surf well. Nothing gains respect like surfing well.