{"id":2000,"date":"2021-08-20T12:45:28","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T11:45:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devthewave.wpengine.com\/?page_id=2000"},"modified":"2025-09-18T14:05:29","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T13:05:29","slug":"health-and-safety","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.thewave.com\/health-and-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Health and Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHome<\/a> \/<\/span> Health and Safety<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHealth and Safety\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Beginner, Intermediate, IMPROVER , Advanced, Advanced Plus and Expert Waves \u2013 Understanding the Risks<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Surfing and bodyboarding are physically challenging and carry risks that we cannot\u00a0entirely eliminate, including damage to property, personal injury and in extremely rare circumstances, even death. You should only\u00a0participate\u00a0in surf and bodyboarding sessions at The Wave with a full understanding of the risks and the steps you can take to\u00a0minimise\u00a0them.<\/span><\/p>\n

The minimum age to\u00a0participate\u00a0in these sessions is 6 years old and all participants must be able to swim 25m unaided.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Types of Injuries<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Most surfing injuries are not serious. The main cause of injury is contact with a surfer\u2019s own board or someone else\u2019s board. Injuries can also result from contact with the lake floor, which\u00a0is made\u00a0of concrete. It is important to follow all instructions on how to safely dismount your surfboard to avoid contact with the lake floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most common types of surfing injuries are:<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Cuts and scrapes, sprains and bruises to the head, face, shoulder and arm.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Injuries to feet and ankles\u00a0as a result of\u00a0jumping from surfboards in shallow water.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Overuse injuries such as repetitive strain of the neck and rotator cuff tendonitis.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Cramp.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Fatigue and exhaustion. Tiredness can diminish your reaction time and increase the risk of accident.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Sun Burn.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Although most injuries are not serious, surfing also carries the risk of fractures, dislocations, severe injuries to the head, neck or back or other injuries that may result in permanent disability and death.\u00a0A previous\u00a0injury, for example to your knee or shoulder, can increase your chance of sustaining a\u00a0subsequent\u00a0injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Preventing Surf Injuries<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

    There are steps you can take to\u00a0minimise\u00a0the chances of sustaining an injury whilst surfing or bodyboarding at The Wave.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    • Watch our Health and Safety briefing and follow all the instructions of the instructors and lifeguards.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Warm up thoroughly before your surf or bodyboard session.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • If you cramp up, stay calm and signal for help from one of our lifeguards.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Wear\u00a0good quality\u00a0waterproof sunscreen.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Before surfing or bodyboarding check all your equipment for damage.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Be aware of your environment and other people in the lake.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Be honest with yourself about your ability and\u00a0chose\u00a0the right session for your fitness level.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Listen to your body. If you are tired, take a break.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Dismount your surfboard safely. Never jump off your board feet first. Follow all the instructions of the surf coaches on how to safely fall, including falling backwards like a starfish into deeper water where possible.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • If you fall off your board, always cover your head and face with your arms.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • We recommend wearing a helmet. Helmets are compulsory for all under 18s and all surfers in\u00a0the Beginner\u00a0Bay. Whilst no helmet can protect the wearer against all potential injuries, the use of a helmet will\u00a0provide\u00a0extra protection to your head and face.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Follow the Surfing Etiquette set out below.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • If you have any questions \u2013 ask!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Surfing Etiquette<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
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      • Respect the rights of other surfers and bodyboarders in the water.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Be aware that other surfers and bodyboarders in your session may have varying skill levels.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Be patient.\u00a0Wait\u00a0for your wave. Don\u2019t drop in on someone else.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Don\u2019t ditch your board. Always wear your leash and try to\u00a0maintain\u00a0control of your board to avoid it hitting you or someone else.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • If you fall, cover your face and head until your board is under control. Once you have control of your board, safely move out of the way of other surfers.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Don\u2019t get in the way. Paddle back out through the channel and not in front of other people riding the waves.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Choose the right\u00a0surf\u00a0session for your ability level.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Help and support other people in the water.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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        Beginner Bay Health and Safety Video<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        This video is for surfers in our Beginner Lesson or Beginner Session No Lesson experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Important:<\/strong> All surfers must watch our Health & Safety video as part of signing their waiver, even if they have watched it before. You will receive an email with a link to watch the Health & Safety video and sign your waiver, you must watch the Health & Safety video as part of the waiver signing process, even if you watch the video now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        All surfers must watch the Health & Safety video and sign their waiver before arriving on-site.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t

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