Young Surfers Research Articles

Profiling Shoulder Strength in Youth Surfers: Implications for Injury Prevention and Performance Enhancement

The scapular region has the highest incidence of acute injuries in surfing. However, little is known about the shoulder strength profile in surfers. The aim of this research was to establish the profile of internal and external rotation strength in a group of youth surfing athletes. Methods: Isometric shoulder internal and external rotation strength was measured using a portable dynamometer in 41 (19 boys e 22 girls) youth surfing athletes (13.3 ± 2.1 years, 49.3 ± 9.8 kg, and 157.4 ± 9.5 cm). Regardless of gender, no significant differences were found between shoulder internal and external rotation strength. However, internal rotation strength was bilateral greater than external rotation strength. When comparing boys and girls, statistically significant differences were only found for the left-arm internal rotation strength when adjusted for body mass. Boys exhibited more strength than girls in all situations. No differences were observed based on the surfer's stance. The data from this research provides valuable information for coaches and trainers working with young surfers, allowing a deeper understanding of the specific shoulder strength profile, for a more effective development of training programs.

Young surfers finding their wave: telling the tale of enskilment in surf places

ABSTRACT This paper seeks to contribute to the growing body of literature focused on the recreational activity of surfing. Investigations into how young people learn to surf are rare, particularly those that focus on the pedagogical aspects involved in learning the practical ‘know-how’ required to surf in particular places and under specific environmental conditions (tide, wind, swell, currents, terrain). How do young people learn where and when a break will be worth a surf? When to duck dive under a broken wave or when to paddle further out? Recent research suggests that a process of enskilment, a form of knowledgeable practice, may provide pedagogical insights into how young people are developing the practical know-how to be able to surf skilfully and safely in particular places. This research used narrative methodology as an alternative way to investigate and represent these complex (and often tacit) aspects of a human learning experience, and findings are presented in the form of a set of short stories. This paper draws from that research to provide important insights into the phenomenon of how young people learn to surf with the intention of improving formal coastal experiences such as those in the leisure and education fields.

The Prevalence and Severity of External Auditory Exostosis in Young to Quadragenarian-Aged Warm-Water Surfers: A Preliminary Study.

External auditory exostosis (EAE) has previously only been shown to occur in cold water surfers. We assessed young surfers living and surfing in Queensland, Australia, for EAE in water temp ranges from 20.6 °C (69.1 °F, Winter) to 28.2 °C (82.8 °F, Summer). All participants underwent a bilateral otoscopic examination to assess the presence and severity of EAE. A total of 23 surfers participated with a mean age of 35.4 years (8.3 years) and a mean surfing experience of 20.0 years (9.9 years). Nearly two-thirds of participants (n = 14, 60.9%) had regular otological symptoms, most commonly water trapping (n = 13, 56.5%), pain (n = 8, 34.8%), and hearing loss (n = 6, 26.1%). Only 8.7% (n = 2) of all surfers reported regular use of protective equipment (e.g., earplugs) on a regular basis. The overall prevalence of exostosis was 69.6% (n = 16), and the majority (n = 12, 80.0%) demonstrated bilateral lesions of a mild grade (<33% obstruction of the external auditory canal). This is the first study assessing EAE in young surfers exposed to only warm waters (above 20.6 °C). The prevalence of EAE in this study highlights that EAE is not restricted to cold water conditions, as previously believed. Warm water surfing enthusiasts should be screened on a regular basis by their general medical practitioner and utilize prevention strategies such as earplugs to minimize exposure to EAE development.

EXPERTISE AND STRATEGIES ON POSTURAL CONTROL OF YOUNG SURFERS AT DIFFERENT LEVEL OF COMPETITION

BackgroundInvestigation of postural control in sports which require excellent postural performance, like surfing, gives insight into development of specific control strategies. The aim of the current study was to compare...

A aprendizagem profissional na percepção de treinadores de jovens surfistas.

O objetivo do estudo foi descrever a percepcao dos treinadores sobre sua aprendizagem profissional no surf e interpreta-las em conformidade com a literatura especializada. Foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, com estudos de caso multiplos, envolvendo 11 treinadores com reconhecida competencia na formacao de jovens em Florianopolis, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados a partir de entrevistas estruturada e semi-estruturada. Para a analise dos dados utilizou-se a tecnica de analise de conteudo. Os resultados mostram que os treinadores valorizam varias fontes informais de conhecimento. O compartilhamento de conhecimentos, a solucao de problemas e a observacao de outros profissionais foram essenciais para a construcao do conhecimento profissional. Conclui-se que os profissionais aprendem a partir do engajamento espontâneo no dominio especifico da pratica do surf e de um processo de socializacao dentro de um contexto sociocultural deste esporte.