Most of what goes wrong on a surf trip is small, predictable and easy to prevent. This guide covers the four problems we see most often: sunburn, cuts from rock, sea urchin spines and sore shoulders. It’s general advice, not medical advice. If you are in any doubt, see a doctor or pharmacist.
What are the most common surf trip injuries?
| Problem | Main cause | Prevention | First aid | See a doctor if |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunburn | UV reflecting off the water, long sessions | SPF 50, zinc, rash vest, surfing in the morning | Cool shower, after-sun, fluids, shade | Widespread blistering, fever, dizziness |
| Rock or reef cut | Falling in shallow water, walking over rock | Boots, entering through the channel, falling flat | Rinse, scrub out grit, antiseptic, dressing | Deep or gaping cut, signs of infection |
| Sea urchin spines | Stepping on rocky bottoms | Boots, never walking barefoot on rock | Tweezers for visible spines, hot-water soak | Spines deep or near a joint, swelling gets worse |
| Sore shoulders | Far more paddling than usual | Training before the trip, warming up, enough board volume | Rest, ice early on, gentle movement | Sharp pain, weakness, can’t lift the arm |
| Board or fin knock | Loose board after a wipeout | Covering your head as you fall, keeping your distance from others | Clean the wound, cold compress for bumps | Head knock with confusion, vomiting or a severe headache |
How do I avoid sunburn while surfing?
Imsouane gets around 340 days of sun a year, and the sea hides the danger. The water is about 17-20C in winter and 20-23C in summer, so you feel cool while UV reflects up off the surface at you. The usual places to burn are the face, lips, ears, the back of the neck, the backs of the knees and the tops of the feet.
- Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 50 15 to 20 minutes before paddling out, and reapply after every session.
- Use a zinc stick on your nose, cheekbones and lips, which take the most direct sun.
- Cover up. A 3/2 wetsuit suits most of the year here, and on warm days a long-sleeve rash vest still protects your back and shoulders.
- Surf early. Mornings usually have the cleanest conditions, and the UV is lower than in the middle of the day.
First aid: take a cool shower, use after-sun or aloe, drink plenty of water and stay in the shade the next day. Widespread blistering, chills, fever or dizziness can mean heat exhaustion or a severe burn, so get medical help.
What should I do about a reef or rock cut?
Magic Bay peels over sand for much of its length, which is part of why it’s so forgiving. Points and headlands still have rock, though, especially on the way in and out, and Cathedral Point breaks over rock. Lower tides leave less water over the bottom.
Prevention: wear boots wherever you have to cross rock, use the channel to get in and out, and fall flat and shallow rather than diving headfirst. Cover your head with your arms as you come up.
First aid, the same day:
- Rinse the cut thoroughly with clean fresh water. Bottled water is fine.
- Scrub out sand and rock grit with clean gauze or a soft brush. It stings, but trapped debris is the main cause of infection.
- Apply an antiseptic and cover the cut with a clean dressing.
- Clean and redress it every day, and keep it dry between sessions where you can.
See a doctor if the cut is deep, gaping or won’t stop bleeding, or if you notice spreading redness, heat, pus, red streaks or a fever. Check that your tetanus vaccination is up to date before you travel.
How do I treat a sea urchin sting?
Sea urchins live on rocky bottoms and in crevices along much of the Atlantic coast. Nearly every case comes from stepping on one, so the best prevention is boots and never walking barefoot over rock.
First aid:
- Pull out the visible spines with tweezers, gently and in line with the spine. They are brittle and snap easily, so don’t dig at them with a needle.
- Soak the area in water as hot as you can comfortably bear for 30 to 90 minutes. Test the temperature with your other hand first. This usually eases the pain.
- Clean the area, apply antiseptic and keep an eye on it.
- Small dark marks under the skin are often just dye from the spine and tend to fade over a few days.
See a doctor if spines are deep or near a joint, if you can’t put weight on your foot, or if swelling and pain get worse instead of better.
Why do my shoulders hurt on a surf trip?
Going from a desk to two sessions a day means hours of paddling your shoulders aren’t used to. On a long point break, the paddle back out after every ride adds up.
- Train before you come. Swimming, push-ups and resistance-band exercises for the rotator cuff in the weeks before your trip make a real difference.
- Warm up on the beach for five to ten minutes: arm circles, band pulls and some light mobility work.
- Ride enough volume. A board that floats you higher makes paddling easier, which matters more than most people realise.
- Pace the week. One session on the first day, then build up. A rest day in the middle often means better surfing at the end.
First aid: rest, apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time in the first day or two, and do gentle range-of-motion work. Get it checked if you feel sharp pain, weakness, painful clicking or night pain, or can’t lift your arm above your shoulder.
What should go in a surf trip first aid kit?
| Item | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| SPF 50 and a zinc stick | Sun protection on land and in the water |
| After-sun or aloe | Soothing mild sunburn |
| Tweezers | Removing urchin spines and splinters |
| Antiseptic and sterile gauze | Cleaning cuts |
| Waterproof dressings | Covering small cuts between sessions |
| Resistance band | Warm-ups and shoulder care |
| Your usual medication | Pharmacies in Moroccan towns are generally well stocked, but brands vary |
Where to go from here
Good technique prevents more injuries than any first aid kit. Our surf lessons keep groups to five, and our ISA-certified coaches choose spots and timing to suit your level. If you’re planning a full trip, the surf weeks include board and wetsuit. You can also rent boards and wetsuits in 3/2 and 4/3, and our activities give you something to do on rest days.