Mr. Miker relaxed and in control as usual
The Nicaragua conference was a success. Attendees came from Australia, Rhode Island, Arizona and several of the SMA regulars from SoCal and CenCal.
We arrived in Managua, on a hot humid morning after an invigorating “red eye express.” Cruz, the talented and exceptional AST Nicaragua representative met us and rounded up the crew to get us headed to Puerto Sandino’s warm water and waves.
The SMA crew was not to be disappointed in the waves department. The waves at Shacks, Punta Miramar, Pipes and La Barra were consistent head high and above, with La Barra being the most ridden and fun spot. The place was a lefty paradise with the tubular Chicken bowls on the Port side of the house, the solid walled up Miramar on Starboard, and the long workable walls of La Barra a short boat ride away. Offshore winds every day, with an occasional evening glass-off….
Being one of the five SUP surfers, there was some shock and alarm from the Aussies especially. But Dr. Norm Vinn was won over when we appeared at La Barra and scared off a couple of other boats. The SUP’s and SMA surfers established a good rapport and coexisted through out the week.
Stormin Normin eyes a clean LaBarra wall
The AST house was in a good location and we had boats throughout the day to get us to several further spots. We had several power outages due to tremendous thunder and lightening and rain downpours. We had an electrical fire, quickly extinguished, an exchange of water in the pool and only one questionable meal. The cooks were great and accommodated our vegetarian surfers very well. Cruz our AST “fixer and expeditor” was organized, accommodating, and proved to be a hotshot firefighter to boot. Not only did he put the fire out, but he got the power back on within an hour, on a Mother’s Day Sunday no less! The house manager (names of the alleged are withheld) was bordering on useless and until Cruz intervened and truly was a fixer.
We saw the Nicaraguan Navy getting some explosive practice by blowing up a reef that was blocking an oil pipeline and marveled at the explosion as well as the patrols on the beach to keep us away from an explosion a kilometer or two off shore. I believe that they were unsure of what was going to happen.
Bill Jones in fine form at Punta Miramar
SMA is planning another Nicaragua Conference next August and this next one will be headed up by Brian McArthur, PA from Arizona, who is a Nica veteran for several years. More will be forth coming so please look at the website.
The presentations were exceptional with the SMA ceremonial presentation tie being favored by all. Dr. Jim Leitch cut quite a figure of SMA professional presentation style, by being bare chested.
Below is a listing of the conference presentations.
Thursday, May 28
Bill Jones, PhD and Norm Vinn DO, MBA
Bill is SMA Executive Director and long time conference planner.
Norm is past president or AOA, a charter member of SMA and the “Darth Vader” of strategic planning
Conference Overview and the History of Surfing Medicine
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Friday, May 29 Aussie Night Part 1
Dr James O’Sullivan
Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in foot & ankle complaints
- In practice 17 years
- Married to Sue, 5 children
- Keen surfer & traveler
Title of Presentation:
Surgical Treatment of the 5th Metatarsal Jones Fracture
Abstract:
Fracture of the 5th metatarsal about the proximal metaphysis is an uncommon fracture, but difficult to heal because of the poor blood supply & biomechanics. I will discuss this interesting surfing injury & the rationale behind aggressive surgical treatment.
Dr. James Leitch
Short bio info:
James (Jim) Leitch was born and raised in Armidale NSW. He studied medicine at Sydney University and completed medical internship, residency and general medical training at Royal Newcastle Hospital. Specialty cardiology training was performed at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and subspecialty training in cardiac arrhythmia treatment in London, Ontario Canada under the mentorship of George Klein. He is an author of more than 81 peer reviewed articles/book chapters and is a clinical associate professor at Newcastle University. He has worked as volunteer proctor for cardiac procedures in New Zealand, India, Vietnam and Myanmar. Currently he is head of the cardiology department at John Hunter Hospital. He performs catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias and pacemaker and defibrillation implantation at John Hunter Hospital and at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital in Newcastle and provides clinical cardiology consultations at Hunter Heart.
Title of Presentation:
Remote monitoring of implanted cardiac devices
Abstract:
All you need to know and were afraid to ask about the brave new world of big data in cardiac device follow up.
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Saturday May 30, Rhode Island Night
Otis Warren, MD
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Alpert School of Medicine, Providence, RI
Title of Presentation:
Cold Water Surfing/Hypothermia
Abstract:
This presentation will discuss the basics of hypothermia and exposure, definition, clinical consequences and treatment. There will be a brief discussion on wetsuit technology.
Andrew Nathanson, MD
- Medical School – Tufts 1990Emergency Medicine Residency LAC-USC 1990 – 94
- Employment – Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert school of Medicine at Brown University 1994 – Present
- Author of numerous peer-reviewed publications
- Co-Author of “Surf Survival” Skyhorse Publishing, NY 2011
Title of Presentation:
Seafood Poisoning
Abstract:
Will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of Cuguaterra, Scombroid, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, and Fugu.
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Sunday, May 31 Aussie Night Part Deux and Be Kind to DO’s
Dr. Glen Valaire
“Some type of surfing injury”
Actually 40 years of Australian Surfing Injuries
Dr, Norm Vinn one of the following
Shenzhen 2015 – The Initiative to establish a primary care workforce within the Chinese healthcare system. This one may have more international appeal.
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Monday, June 1, Happy Birthday week for Frank Knight
“Doc” Lester Waddel, DC
66 Male Athlete, BS, Cal Poly, Palmer Chiropractic 1995, 6 time Iron Man competitor Pro trainer for Tri
Recovery from Stem Cell Procedure, A History and Personal Experience
The Landing Portion of Running
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Tuesday, June 2
Dr. Neal Harris, personal ER doc for Bill Jones, Lead ER Dr. at CHOMP (Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula) Numerous SMA trips, Nicaragua, Galapagos, Spice Islands.
“A Global Report on Drowning”
Dr. Antonio Pedro R. Montera
Born and raised at Copacabana Beach , Rio de Janeiro, graduated at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), work with pre-hospital emergency , E.R., working and studying at Clinimex one of the most important exercise medicine clinic.
Surfing Medicine/ Bazilian scene
Abstract:
Surfing Medicine in Brazil. The Challenges that we deal with, who we are ? What is our role at the drowning Scenario?
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Wednesday, June, 3
Bill Jones, SMA discussion, Future Directions, Future Conferenceces
Pacific Rim Medical Conference, September 29.30, October 1 &2, 2016, Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA
In conjunction with EASD
Glenn Valaire putting on a tube riding clinic for the rest of us
Attendees agreed that the waves were very good to excellent. We had a broken board (Dr. James O’Sullivan) and several broken fins, but a good time was had by all with agreement on having another Nicaragua conference in August, 2016.