If you've ever seen the surf movie "Second Thoughts", you know who Timmy Turner is. He got a staph infection while surfing down in Mexico. When you think of some of the water we all surf in and how polluted it can be, it makes you wonder why it doesn't happen more often to the rest of us. Be thankful that it doesn't, but at the same time be proactive for the right to surf in clean water, whether fresh or salt.
Merry Christmas
http://forums.surfline.com/showthread.php?t=26024

ps I've never see a purple blob as big as the one in the Pacific right now. Makes me think of the 80s and growing up and reading about California in Surfer Mag (before T'Poo, Jaws, etc...coverage). Going to be huge there this week, bigger than the swell they just had. Heard only 3 guys made it out to Rincon on the last one, that's big!

any tips on how to avoid infections and such?

I caught strep A (or "flesh eating bacteria"), which can be quite bad. The best thing you can do is get proper treatment fast.

I was really lucky. It's a weird story, but my friend got it first and was really lucky to survive after having to have major surgery to remove infected tissue. Me and all my friends had been visiting him in the hosptial, so we were well aware of the bacteria, so when I had a cut that just balloned I kind of bullied my way into the hopstial. They treated me with IV antibiotics and I was fine. My friend was told he just had a pulled muscle and the flu went he went to see his GP and the delay in getting proper treatment is what cost him.

As for prevention, I don't really know what to say. We were in Maui and I figure the water was clean. Don't know if I got it from hanging around in the hosptial visting my friend or surfing. When I was released from the hosptial myself I went straight to the beach. I also followed doctors' orders and washed thoroughly with soap and water after every session. The doctor said soap and water is all that's necessary. I've heard of people carrying a stock of antibiotics with them on far out trips, which seems sensible.

I'm going to do a Saturday and Monday session at Ashbridges if anyone is keen.

Happy New Year!

Dan M.

I get sick real real easy, but have found the following works wonders for preventing getting ear infections, strep throat, or eye infections following a session around Erie and ONT.

As soon as I get out of the water I do the following:
(1) douche out my ears with hydrogen peroxide. I keep douching them 'till the bubbling stops, sometimes even that night I have to re-do. While I'm at it I rinse out any cuts or scrapes that I have.
(2) gargle with listerine until I swallow some and some comes burning out my nose. Gross, but I've had strep throat about 10 times over the years but never since doing this every time after a session.
(3) Saline contact lens solution is used to flush out my eyes really well. Seems to help somewhat, but I wish there was something more powerful. I've tried the swimmers eye and ear drops they sell, but my peroxide/listerine/saline body orifice douche just works better for me.

Hope this helps someone prevent moowhich this year. BTW, I've never gotten moowhich in winter or cold water, only in summer when the water is hot and skunky and reeking with ripe rotting rancind run-off...Part of the joy of surfing around here I guess.
Dan