cold water surfing

[andymac]

I surf in extremly cold water ( like 30 F and below )0 C). My father keeps on telling me I will get bad arthritis when im older. I wear a 6/4 suit and 7mm boots and gloves. Is this bad for me ?

[Broosta]

No surfing in cold water does not mean you are more likely to get arthritis.
Some people who already have it say it gets worse in cold weather but that is said to be linked to the air pressure being lower than normal rather than the actual cold itself - and again that will not cause it to develop.
For more info check this out http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/arthritis/

[PapaW]

Only linked health problem with surfing in cold water is whats called "Surfers Ear"
Due to water, esp cold water biugn sat on and in the ear for long periods of time results in a boney growth as a way of protecing the ear drum. Unfortunatly this also closes up the ear and results in more infections and loss of hearing. It can be drlled out but its painfull and grows back twice as fast.

Best to wear ear plugs. I've found Blue tak to be the best, better than all the ones you can get on the markey at the moment

[surferdude_scarborough]

hey where do you surf? 0 C thats pretty hardcore.ive developed a love for surfing in freezing cold water. nothing that cold though!!

[rctkj]

Yep, surfers ear will result. I am going to get drilled in May. I don't know about growing back twice as fast or the hurting part check the link below for some "facts"



http://www.faldoc.co.uk/surfers_ear.htm

[andymac]

I surf in Canada. The water gets to be -2 in Feb. and early March.
Surfers Ear: how long does it take to develope? a couple months, years?

[PapaW]

See the link... in rctkj's post..

There is an operation where the surgeon digs a hole in the bone behind your ear and drills out the bony lumps. But this is painful (very!), carries the risk of complications and puts you out of the water for at least 2 months.

Its enough to put me off :o /me digs out blue tak

[rctkj]

It took me thirty years to be 98% blocked in one ear and 90% in the other. The Doc told me he has been performing the operation for 25 years and has only had a few redo's. He said it takes four to six weeks out of the water. He didn't mention the pain part but what are you going to do? When you eat it on a reef and get driven into the rocks it hurts so do you quit surfing reefs? not.

[Broosta]

A local guy I know here had that operation a few years ago but in his case the operation ended up making him deaf in the ear that was done . Although it is apparently unusual for this to happen one should be aware its not always a bed of roses...

[saffasurfer7]

I never go in without my earplugs...

I couldn't bear to get surfer's ear, it wouldn't be much fun, that's for sure.

[andymac]

if you wear a hood, will that stop the development of surfers ear?

[PapaW]

If anything it could make it worse as it holds cold water against your ear.

Plugging up is the only sure way.

[deathfrog]

And this only happens in cold water right? Because its protecting your ear drum from cold water?

[PapaW]

Yeah within reason.

Not sure what the cut off temperature range is off hand but its also alwys good to keep your ears clean esp if you surf in murky water with looks of sediment in.

[meister]

well i dont know what the temperature, but it gets pretty cold on the west coast in winter ... considering i dont own a wetsuit ...

[rctkj]

I was talking to a friend that had the surgery and he told me that he got pounding headaches for a week after the operation. I go for surgery on 5/4/05. Has any one else had this done?

[rctkj]

Well I got one ear drilled 5/4 not too much pain things went well it took 4hrs under the knife. I am glad I have insurance! We will see how things go. Doc says 4 to 6 weeks out of the water.

[babyboarder89]

wishing you a speedy recovery

[rctkj]

Thanks babyboarder89

[gulfsurfer]

Well I got one ear drilled 5/4 not too much pain things went well it took 4hrs under the knife. I am glad I have insurance! We will see how things go. Doc says 4 to 6 weeks out of the water.

When they say 4-6 weeks out of the water, make it about a week.
Ive had quite a few injuries (broken wrists,ankles,ribs,arms,blown knees, collapsed lung etc.) and never took that much time off. Last year i broke my wrist in 8 places and had to have screws and crap, and the dr told me i needed to leave the cast on for like a month. I cut it off with a hack saw a week later and was fine.