Experts gather at surfing medicine conference in Torquay

SURFING medicine practitioners had a timely gathering in Torquay last week to share knowledge in the lead-up to the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach this week.

The four-day World Conference and Expo on Surfing Medicine (WCSM) had lectures, workshops and outdoor activities presented by Surfing Medicine International at RACV Torquay Resort featured specialists and speakers in surfers’ health, injury prevention, training, performance and ocean environment.

A number of locals made presentations, including Torquay-based emergency medicine and intensive care registrar Dr Wendy Henderson, who spoke about being in the right place at the wrong time and her efforts in helping to save WSL surfer Aaron Gold, who was left unconscious after being slammed by huge waves at Fiji’s Cloudbreak in 2016.

Other local speakers included Surfing Victoria chief executive officer Adam Robertson and Jan Juc performance psychologist Richy Bennett.

The WSCM provides a scientific, evidencebased, platform for key stakeholders in modern surfing sports, making it a platform for sharing and learning with medical professionals, surfing industry and athletes, students, coaches and strength condition trainers, sport and environmental scientists, water safety experts and lifeguards.