Dr. Till Geimer (Germany)

Podcast about protection against UVR-related skin diseases – Podcast by Till Geimer

These days, a lot of surfers escape winter in Europe and head to the summers in Australia, Indo and other warmer places on our planet. The fight against skin cancer, such as melanoma, still goes on, especially in countries near the equator. The protection of your skin and eyes from excessive exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a serious theme to think about when you surf. UVR is an important cancerogen which will lead to the formation of free radicals within the skin.

Podcast about protection against UVR-related skin diseases – Podcast by Till Geimer from The EASD on Vimeo.

The incidence of melanoma is alarmingly increasing over the last decades (1:600 in 1960 compared to 1:53 in 2006), while non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) make up the most frequent tumours in humans. This is partly related to changes in leisure behaviour, i.e. today more people than ever are engaging in aquatic sports with high UVR exposure such as surfing.

Our skin is the core organ which needs to be protected when it comes to surfing.

Surfers are a population who are at risk for the development of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer.

Rip that wave, not your skin!

In September the next EASD-conference will be held. At the last conference in 2013 in Sagres, Portugal, Dr. Till Geimer, Dermatologist at the University of Munich gave a lecture on UVR-related skin diseases. A resume of that lectures is now available as a podcast, were Dr. Geimer discusses subjects such as the relation of surfing and skin cancer, and gives us evidence based, surfer tailored tips on adequate UVR protection.

Conference speakers 2013

So, if you could not make last conference, here is a great summary on this important subject concerning every surfer. In the near future Dr. Geimer will be giving us a more detailed insight into the subject of UVR-protection in his next podcast.

‘March against Melanoma’

On the second of March, there will be a special event, ‘March against Melanoma’, directed by Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc. who organize a march to take steps towards the prevention of melanoma. This Melbourne-based initiative was set up to help raise awareness about melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

The money that was raised in previous years went to research on skin changes in youth, melanoma and on a more surfer-related topic: the analyses of the effects of occupational sunlight exposure in the development of non-melanoma skin cancers in the Australian population. Take a look on their website or join the march if you’re in the neighbourhood for a surf session!  http://www.skincancer.asn.au/campaign/1/march-against-melanoma-2014

To conclude, watch your skin and eyes closely if you escape the European winter, and of course:

Enjoy the surf and the sound waves of our podcast to keep you up to date in UV protection!

Acknowledgment:

Podcast by Dr. Till Geimer

http://www.skincancer.asn.au/

Over the next few weeks we will be introducing some of the international lecturers for our upcoming Advanced Surfing Medicine Life Support (ASLS) Course taking place in Ericeira, 4th-10th May 2014. There will be trailblazers galore, including: a Founding Father of Surfing Medicine and co-author of “Surf Survival”, Dr. Andrew Nathanson; Founding Member of Lifeguards Without Borders, Dr. Andrew Schmidt; Lifeguarding and Surf Instructor and former Dutch National Longboard Champion, Hans van den Broek, to name but a few.

Today, we’re starting with Peter Conroy (35), an Irish Big Wave Surfer, former Billabong XXL Finalist, and Paramedic. Peter will provide his unique expertise in big wave surfing settings, special rescue techniques, and the pros and cons of jet-ski assisted rescue. Who knows, he might even bring something buzzing that floats along with him to the ASLS Course!

Check out Peter in conversation with EASD Member and Austrian Pro-Surfer, Dr. Lisa Veith, below. In addition, watch him in action riding cavernous Irish barrels from recent Hurricane Hercules-generated ground swell!

Remember, don’t hang around, this is your last chance to secure one of the few remaining ASLS course places! 

Name: Peter Conroy

Age: 35

Nationality: Irish

Sponsors: Gooch. Northcore. Narosa surf shop. Bubblegum Wax, Nectar sunglasses.

Surfing since: 1996.

What is your favourite surf spot? Mullaghmore.

What is your home spot? Reilly’s and Aileens.

Have you been attracted by big waves from the first surfing day on? Yes.

Are you doing competitions? Have only done a few competions, local ones and one big wave one in Mullaghmore.

What was your biggest wave? Haven’t caught it yet.

How many days a month are you surfing? Whenever there are waves, i surf.

How many days a week you do sports? Whenever i have time and feel the urge to.

What is your daily work? I work as a fireman/paramedic in the Dublin fire brigade, we are a very busy service, with a lot of medical cases and emergency rescue cases also.

What were your worst surfing injuries? A broken back, anterior L1 fracture, followed by a fractured skull and a few broken ribs.

Any other passions apart from surfing? Surf lifesaving, jetski rescue and swimming.

Favourite drink? Guinness.

Favourite meal? Supermacs cheese burgers.

Favourite mantra/say/motto? No Scrapes, No Scars, No Proof

Wanna see Peter riding some big ones? Here is two videos to start with:

by Dr. Guido Muccioli, Physiotherapist – Osteopath – Cattolica, Italy

The following exercises will build your strength and balance for better surfing. These exercises can be done with very basic materials, at home, while on surf camp or even in the wilderness, using only a rubber band (with resistance and one for paddling exercise), the ground, your body and some towels.

The three goals of this circuit are:

1. CORE STRENGTH and ‘taking off/pop up ‘-simulation.
2. UPPER LIMB strength/ also for prevention and paddling simulation
3. BALANCE

FIRST GOAL

Exercise 1 –  ’ core strength’ for whole body

Exercise 2 – ’Taking off/Pop-up Simulation’

Pop up training is a vital exercise in the daily training for Surfers.

SECOND GOAL

Exercise 1 – Upper limb – ‘external rotators muscle’

Exercise 2 – ’Paddling simulation’

THIRD GOAL

Exercise  – ‘Balance’ and ‘Lower + Upper Limb’ power

Exercise 1 – ‘Balance’ and ‘Lower + Upper Limb’ power

Exercise 2 – ’Balance over your towel’

Position yourself on one towel, squat with blinded eyes, remember to keep your core in the center

Position yourself on two towels, align your core over  the stretch rubber bands and maintain your balance.

Stay fit during the winter, doing balance/core training, swimming and cardio training. Winter Sessions are more demanding for your body, cause of the environmental factor of the cold and the fact you re carrying at least 4/5mm of rubber.

Share your thoughts of the perfect training with us. What is your ideal training and what do you to stay fit on flat days?

For a good warm-up check out the video

In preparation for the upcoming ASLS course 2014 our team poured over countless literature to bring you the perfect course textbook. And we found it: the latest edition of “Wilderness Medicine“ by Paul Auerbach. This book, often referred to as the ‘The Bible of Wilderness Medicine‘, extensively covers the ASLS medical topics, and more.

This year’s participants will get the opportunity to prepare using this masterpiece. They can choose to study from a digital or hardcopy version. Both are included in the course fee!*

We are almost out of places for this years ASLS Course! Do you want to survive as a doctor on a remote location, be able to perform lifesaving individually and as a team, participate in lectures from worlds leading experts on wilderness and marine medicine? Then apply now and be part of this unique course in Advanced Surfing Medicine Life Support! If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for?
Only 4 course places left – get yours now!

Stay tuned for more ASLS course 2014 fantastic firsts to be revealed over the coming weeks.

See you in Ericeira, May 4-10th.

The ASLS Team

Dive into the unforgettable magic of the last ASLS course with this beautifully arranged Course Video!

Advanced Surfing Medicine Life Support Course from The EASD on Vimeo.

* Access codes for the digital versions will be sent to the participants in the coming weeks after the payment for the course fee has been received. If a hard copy is desired it will be delivered for free on the first day of the course. If you prefer to prepare yourself rather with the hardcopy than the digital version we will mail it to you for the net cost price of the mailing expenses.