Surf Zone Injuries

Beach safety isn’t just about drowning. There are many instances of serious injuries to beachgoers resulting from impacts due to plunging and dumping waves, either at the shore-break or on shallow sandbars, as well as impacts with board craft and other swimmers. Collectively, these incidents are known as surf zone injuries (SZIs) and can require extensive medical care, particularly in the case of severe spinal injuries. There have been a number of recent studies conducted in the United States and France that have attempted to document the incidence of SZIs on beaches in those countries, particularly in relation to environmental factors, but no study has yet to investigate the nature of SZIs on Australian beaches. The UNSW BSRG is working to advance knowledge in this area.