Back in the Water

Okay.... so I am finally back and ready to get down to business. After months of recovery from my illness and removal of my colon, I am back in the water surfing, ready to hit the mountain biking trails and getting my edges sharpened on my skis in anticipation of a repeat of the winter ski conditions that I missed last year. Please check out my previous post on Go Surf Costa Rica, an outfitting group in Tamarindo that is sure to provide you with an amazing surf experience whether you are a beginner or expert surfer.

I am currently working on some surf related peices right here in Rhode Island. This is my favorite time of the year in Rhode Island; the crowds are gone, the hurricanes crank up and the water is still warm.

So stay tuned and pass this Blog onto anyone you think might enjoy it.

Thanks for all your support and prayers over the last six months.

Medelise

Go Surf Costa Rica

Surf Outfitters
Tamarindo, Costa Rica












I am re-posting from this winter on a surf outfitting group in Costa Rica. With winter right around the corner, it is time to start planning for that great adventure you have been dreaming about. Eduardo and Erika are sure to make your trip the best! Please check out their site and let them know I sent you.

Okay....for all those surf wannabes and surf guru's , we would like to introduce you to an outfitting group out of Tamarindo, Costa Rica.Go Surfing Costa Rica was established by two individuals, one Costa Rican and One American, who have worked to combine their experience and knowledge in creating the perfect surf vacation for you , your family or your friends. In their own words, " We offer organized professional management, with all the comforts of home, in a laid back environment, which never lets you forget…you’re on vacation! Both Eduardo and Erika have extensive experience with surf instruction, travel and adventure, but equally as important, they are two people that you will truly enjoy meeting.

We are quite confident that their hospitality, knowledge and enthusiasm will result in an outstanding surf vacation for you, your family or your friends.My family met both Eduardo and Erika last March when were were surfing in Costa Rica. Eduardo was in charge of the surf instruction and tour program at another well know surf camp that we were staying at. Fortunately for us, we bumped into both of them on our last night in Tamarindo this past December. He gave us a quick update on Go Surf Costa Rica and I am ready to sign up. If all goes well, I hope to book a trip with Go Surf Costa Rica and check out one of their surf packages in February or March of this year. With a little persuading, I might even rope my brother Bob, know in the surfing world as Tuna, to pack his board and join me. We will keep you posted.Check them out!!!

SURFING IN COLD WATER

Surfer's Ear - Exostosis

Wow, this is information that you need to read if you surf in the winter or in cold water. It was brought to my attention by Gidget(Lee) Ferraro, long time surfer and surf pioneer(See Article Perfect Wave). The medical term is actually Exostosis, which really means abnormal bone growth.
The condition is found primarily in cold water surfer's, hence the name, but can afflict anyone who participates in cold water sports such as kayaking and diving. Basically when your ear canal is exposed to cold air and water it causes the bone around the canal to produce new bony growth. With time, this bony growth causes a narrowing of the canal which ultimately causes painful ear infections due to inadequate drainage, and more importantly hearing loss. The treatment is not pretty and requires surgery that is very painful and has a two month recovery time, that means no surfing! And often those that have surgery will have even faster bone growth in the future requiring a second or third surgical procedure.

So what's a surfer to do? It is widely agreed that the best solution is prevention. That means keeping your ears protected! So if you are prone to being Macho out there in the water by not wearing a hood, save it for another time. As Gidget so aptly stated in her e-mail to me, "keep the lid on!!!" If you hate the thought of a hood there is a product you can buy called a Surfmuff that might be a good alternative.

Thanks Gidget for bringing this to my attention.

For additional information about surfer's ear see links below:
Wikipedia
Surfline
The Health Center