Case
30-year-old male who overfoiled (foil lifts above water-level) and crashed at high speed. His foot was grazed by the tail fin (stabilizer) of his foil causing a superficial laceration and contusion to the medial aspect of his right mid-foot as seen in photos above. The wound was irrigated, and steri-strips were placed across the laceration. The medial aspect of the foot remained swollen and ecchymotic for approximately 15 days before healing without complications
Discussion
In the past decade, underwater foils have revolutionized watersports. Airplane-shaped underwater foils greatly reduce water-resistance allowing sailboats to sail 40+ knots in 12 knots of wind and surfers to ride at great speed and for long distances in mushy, weak conditions. Proficient foilers with young legs can also pump their way out through the surf without even having to paddle. Foils even allow surfers to ride non-breaking open ocean swells. For those who have seen it live at their home breaks or watched the videos, it almost looks surreal surreal. The glide is amazing, even in choppy water.
But there is danger lurking underwater in the form of a large carbon fiber foil with front and rear wings and a vertical mast, all designed with sharp trailing edges, posing risks to rider as well others in the lineup.
After a number of well-publicized foiling injuries a few prominent pro-surfers have raised significant safety concerns, particularly regarding other surfers in the lineup.
No studies on surf-foiling injuries have been published so this is an area in need of further research.
Here are a few anecdotal safety recommendations from the SMA
- Foil at breaks where there are few if any other surfers. The beauty of foiling is that it is fun in lousy conditions, so seek solitude to avoid injuring others
- Lightly sand trailing edges of the foil so they are not razor sharp. The same goes for wing tips, which ideally should be rounded, not pointy. This should have little if any noticeable effect on performance
- Wear a helmet. Questions? See photo below.
- When learning, wear an impact vest.
- Use a long leash to avoid collisions with your foil.
- Do not foil in hollow conditions or shore-breaks. Once up-and-riding the wave does not even need to breaking in order to glide along.
- Before attempting to surf, try towing behind a boat to get the feeling of foot placement and foot pressure which control ride height. A foiling board is much more sensitive to small changes in foot pressure than is a surfboard.
- Stay far away from Me!
A comprehensive (if somewhat lengthy) video on foiling safety put out by Blue Planet is worth a watch if you are considering taking up this fast growing sport. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rJ3awEGcS8
