ribbed
I've just started surfing, at the tender age of 39. Managed to get a new 7'6” board out of the wife for Christmas and, yes, I have stood up on it. Okay, only for a short while but, hey, I've only been doing this a few weeks. My sinuses have never been so clean! The reason for me writing is that I keep getting a slight pain in my ribs after surfing. Is this normal for beginners or should I get it checked out? Keep up the great mag and if space allows chuck in some tips in for us beginners. People should remember that they were all crap once!
Roger Bickerstaff, Porthcawl

A lot of people experience slight bruising of the ribcage if they’re new to surfing, or haven’t surfed for a few months. It should go after a couple of days. When you start surfing regularly (two or three a week) you’ll find that your back muscles get stronger and hold your shoulders up, so there isn’t so much pressure on your ribs. Doing some ‘back arch’ exercises (lie face-down and raise your head and shoulders for a few seconds) will also help. — CP

Doctor prescribes ‘no more surfing
I just wanted to share with you a depressing visit to the doctor the other day. I went to see him because of a problem I have with persistent sinusitis. He examined me and said that since surfing was the cause, there was no alternative: “You’ll just have to stop surfing then.”

I was completely gobsmacked. Imagine my reaction to a lifelong sentence of ‘no surfing’. As I pleaded with the doc to find another solution, he delivered a second blow (of equal ignorance), saying: “There are other pleasures in life, you know.” I was just about to strangle him with his stethoscope when the nurse ushered me out of the door and I was left to contemplate the rest of my life as an ex-surfer.

Funnily enough I’ve decided to ignore the doc’s advice and, despite the pain, I’ve carried on surfing. If any readers can help with suggestions or have had the same problem then please drop me an e-mail at odaglish@hotmail.com
Olly, pissed off in Delabole (as if living here wasn’t bad enough!)

Sounds like you’re going to have to take it to the next level, Olly, so ask your GP for a referral to see an Ear Nose & Throat specialist at your nearest hospital. Then you’ll be talking to an expert...and if he or she says that you should stay out of the water for a couple of months, you’d better heed their advice. Other than that, well, this may sound stupid, but how about trying a swimmer’s noseclip? —CP

My foot has a weird lump please help
Dear fellow surf mofos,
I have developed a nasty looking bump on my left foot due to increased surfing action, my friends at the local surf shop said that this is a common defect known as 'surfers bump' and it's caused by dragging my back foot- guess I'll need to buy bigger shoes soon,
Niceone!
CJ via email

Nothing you can do about them I'm afraid. All you can do is put a deck grip on your board. They’re pretty much bunions so you can have them removed but they'll just grow back. If they get sore just wear a boot on your foot for a while to act as padding. Apart from that always check new shoes on both feet before purchasing!

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