electronics while surfing

[kookRachelle]

Okay, so I'd like to get a waterproof pouch and put a little electronic medical device (4" x 2" maybe?) in it keeping it in my wetsuit during sessions. I'm wondering if anyone has done the same with, say, a phone? What has been your experience? Where is the best place to keep it in your wetsuit? I'm thinking the chest/shoulder? Does it get lost easily? Does it get damaged? Do you have a recommendation for a dry pouch type of thing?

I'm a type one (insulin dependent) diabetic and have a continuous glucose monitor (Dexcom CGM). There's a little sensor wire that I insert under my skin every 7 days and it checks the glucose in my interstitial fluid every 5 minutes, tracking highs, lows and rapid changes. It attaches to a transmitter that Bluetooths to an app on my iPhone. I prefer the app on a daily basis but I do have a separate smaller receiver I feel I might be able to use just as a backup while surfing. I don't want to risk losing my phone or getting it wet.

It's crucial to keep an eye on my blood sugar while surfing because with insulin in my system as a type 1 and my inability to automatically compensate, exercise has the potential to drop it rapidly. It's never held me back from anything, just something I need to be mindful of. Having a hypoglycemic seizure while surfing = no bueno. Currently I'm having to get out every 45-60 minutes to check my blood sugar and drink some juice if needed, but having the ability to just look at a graph on the receiver would mean me not having to get out. It also beeps like crazy if I'm high, low or if it's moving in either direction rapidly so I wouldn't even need to constantly take it out.

For anyone who finds this interesting, I'm a bit of an expert on the subject and have mentored child athletes and families. Insulin receptors increase on cells while exercising as your muscles suck up glucose as fuel, so it actively transports from your blood to your muscle cells very quickly which then lowers your blood sugar. You guys have the necessary tools to sense this and your pancreas puts out less insulin while your liver puts out more glycogen (glucose) from its stores.

If anyone is interested, check it out... it's been one of the greatest advances in managing type 1 diabetes in the last 10 years!

https://www.dexcom.com/get-started-cgm? ... 001LlpgAAC

*class dismissed!

Thanks in advance!

[BaNZ]

My colleague has one of those and he is type 1 too. He keeps showing it to us and it makes me nauseous.

My only experience of keeping anything with me is with the wax. I kept it just above my chest/collar bone area and I can tell you that it moves around. It moved down to my rib and I hit it really hard when I was paddling. You will need to strap it down or it will move around the wetsuit. Perhaps try putting it on the back, around your neck area?

The water is getting so cold at Rockaway now! I went last saturday in a 3/2 and I kinda regretted it.

[kookRachelle]

My colleague has one of those and he is type 1 too. He keeps showing it to us and it makes me nauseous.

My only experience of keeping anything with me is with the wax. I kept it just above my chest/collar bone area and I can tell you that it moves around. It moved down to my rib and I hit it really hard when I was paddling. You will need to strap it down or it will move around the wetsuit. Perhaps try putting it on the back, around your neck area?

The water is getting so cold at Rockaway now! I went last saturday in a 3/2 and I kinda regretted it.

Good info, thanks! The moving around and banging into it is what I'm afraid of. I could do back area but then if it slips down I'd have to take my whole wetsuit off. I keep a tiny piece of wax in my small leg pocket and even that escapes at times. I do have a sort of running belt thing I could put it in I suppose but would have to do that after putting it in a dry pouch. I have a 2mm wetsuit with a back zipper pocket but too light for now. I have a 3/2 with just the tiny leg pocket, and just bought a 4/3 with the same. Maybe I should have considered this before getting the 4/3

Do you have a 4/3? Water gets colder pretty quickly unfortunately. It was like 76 degrees in August - bath water!

I got surgery two weeks ago so have been out of the water since! I made it out for Gert which was cool and then the waves were still pretty fun in Long Beach the following weekend. Waves still look good - today looks fun, then Sunday through Wednesday looks amazing (though a little early). I am soooo tempted to go this weekend, if even the smaller Saturday, but have pins in my finger. I'll definitely be back out in another 2 weeks to freeze my tits off. You live near Rockaway or just visiting?

[BaNZ]

Don't worry about getting too many wetsuits, its never enough once you're hooked on surfing. If you can bear the harsh winter, you will want to get a cap, gloves and shoes. They will keep you warm during the winter where the water is warmer than the air temperature.

After 3 years of surfing, I completed my wetsuit collection last month. I got one of every thickness up to 6mm. Mid-end November gets really cold and even wearing a 5/4 is hard. I've been out surfing at Rockaway when it was snowing in Jan/Feb. Normally no more than an hour, getting in and out of wetsuit drains too much energy. Plus they close down the toilets so there is no warm way of changing clothes.

I live in Manhattan, will most likely be there on Saturday with my 4/3. The forecast is close to 3-5 ft so it is definitely not small.

I heard that the water isn't that clean in Rockaway so I would refrain from getting in the water if I were you. But hey, I went surfing when I had a high temperature or the time when I cracked my rib. Nothing can stop us from surfing, only the terrible MTA subway lol.

[kookRachelle]

Don't worry about getting too many wetsuits, its never enough once you're hooked on surfing. If you can bear the harsh winter, you will want to get a cap, gloves and shoes. They will keep you warm during the winter where the water is warmer than the air temperature.

After 3 years of surfing, I completed my wetsuit collection last month. I got one of every thickness up to 6mm. Mid-end November gets really cold and even wearing a 5/4 is hard. I've been out surfing at Rockaway when it was snowing in Jan/Feb. Normally no more than an hour, getting in and out of wetsuit drains too much energy. Plus they close down the toilets so there is no warm way of changing clothes.

I live in Manhattan, will most likely be there on Saturday with my 4/3. The forecast is close to 3-5 ft so it is definitely not small.

I heard that the water isn't that clean in Rockaway so I would refrain from getting in the water if I were you. But hey, I went surfing when I had a high temperature or the time when I cracked my rib. Nothing can stop us from surfing, only the terrible MTA subway lol.

Oh I'm hooked! I am just dying to get better and am pissed I got injured when I was going 3x a week in July and August! I'll barely be able to paddle once I get back out there.

So I actually did buy a 4/3 and a 5/6mm (front zip with hood) haha! I also got the gloves and booties! The 5/6 was a bitch to get into and I decided to return it for now and consider getting it again in late October if I can stand the water and want to continue surfing later in the year. That's pretty telling that getting into the thicker suits is considered exercise!

Breakwater (surf shop) on 67th has a bathroom you can change in, just FYI. Everyone there is lovely and cool - they always let me leave my stuff/valuables in their staff closet, they hold on to my board for me when I go to the surf club after a session and let me hang my wetsuit on their rack. Don't tell them I told you

You're right, Sun is 4-6 and Sat is 3-5. I think I'll sit it out both days! I have been going on the weekends to hang with friends anyway so will probably be there. Maybe I'll volunteer as a photographer or something. I went out 4 more days after almost ripping my finger off and was fine - just taped it up and popped a bunch of Aleve. It's amazing how excuses dissolve when it's something you love. But maybe you're right about the water. I've seen chip bags float by before

You ever do the Rockaway clean up trash days?

[oldmansurfer]

I once bought some waterproof bags to put my beeper in. I had a cellphone but in those days it was same size as a regular phone (approximately the size of 10 to 15 iPhones for those who are not old enough to know what a regular phone is) with a base battery with antenna and a regular phone cord to a regular phone looking hand piece. I think I would get a waterproof phone or smartwatch to start with then maybe just get a heavy duty ziplock or other clear soft plastic container but there was a company selling these waterproof clear plastic bags the size of a cellphone...Aqua-somethingorother .....don't recall the name anymore but this was long ago and there are likely many newer companies selling waterproof cellphone cases. About likelihood of damage ....well it's you so maybe you could get one of the rigid cases instead I currently only surf for 30 minutes so I can go back and check my cellphone and leave the phone in the car.

[kookRachelle]

About likelihood of damage ....well it's you so maybe you could get one of the rigid cases instead

thanks for the info!

[BaNZ]

I hope you didn't try to grab the leash with your hand when you lost the board. That's normally how surfers deglove themselves.

I go to breakwater as well, I normally rent my boards from them so they are cool with me leaving my stuff there too. I really like that store as well, the boards they sell are actually cheaper than online or any other shops. You go to Rockaway beach surf club on 87th? It's a cool a really cool place. I haven't checked the wetsuits or other gears out as I buy them when I go to surf outlet in SoCal about once a year. This year I got 2 spring wetsuit for $45! What a bargain.

Every surfer needs a personal photographer! haha If you do go this weekend, hit me up. I normally check the forecast on Friday to decide if I'll go surf or not. It needs to be clean and preferably offshore. Sunday onwards get better but is more onshore wind. It might be too big for me to handle as it becomes a shore dump and I don't want to break the boards. The bit I don't like about Rockaway is that it is always a left hand break and not good for longboards. I'm regular so I struggle with left hand breaks. Are you goofy?

[BaNZ]

Oh I also bought some waterproof bag that I was going to use in my previous trip.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I1 ... UTF8&psc=1

I didn't need to use it so you can borrow to see if it works well for you.

[kookRachelle]

I hope you didn't try to grab the leash with your hand when you lost the board. That's normally how surfers deglove themselves.

I go to breakwater as well, I normally rent my boards from them so they are cool with me leaving my stuff there too. I really like that store as well, the boards they sell are actually cheaper than online or any other shops. You go to Rockaway beach surf club on 87th? It's a cool a really cool place. I haven't checked the wetsuits or other gears out as I buy them when I go to surf outlet in SoCal about once a year. This year I got 2 spring wetsuit for $45! What a bargain.

Every surfer needs a personal photographer! haha If you do go this weekend, hit me up. I normally check the forecast on Friday to decide if I'll go surf or not. It needs to be clean and preferably offshore. Sunday onwards get better but is more onshore wind. It might be too big for me to handle as it becomes a shore dump and I don't want to break the boards. The bit I don't like about Rockaway is that it is always a left hand break and not good for longboards. I'm regular so I struggle with left hand breaks. Are you goofy?

You nailed it! Except I didn't try to grab the leash, I was dragging the board out by the leash on the shore in a few inches of water and guess I wasn't as in the clear as I thought. d'oh! Lesson learned, fully.

Their rentals are okay, but they go FAST, you have to get there early. Although maybe not so much at this time of year as it thins out. I actually bought my board at Breakwater - 8'6" Torq. Gerald and Rudell could not be any nicer, I love all those guys! I bought the leash and a great bag with it and they always give me a discount so that was helpful.

I'll send you a PM on Friday if I decide to go (probably will), and maybe we can meet up for a taco at surf club. Epstein's is great too, as is the Rockaway Brewery. God, I love Rockaway. I actually like that it mostly breaks left as you guessed it, I'm goofy. But honestly, I'm barely at the point of even turning at this point.

[kookRachelle]

Oh I also bought some waterproof bag that I was going to use in my previous trip.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I1 ... UTF8&psc=1

I didn't need to use it so you can borrow to see if it works well for you.

Sweet - looks cool! I'll definitely try it out, thanks! Maybe I can tie it around my wrist and slip it up under the wetsuit under my forearm? The CGM itself is way smaller. Or I can try tying it around my neck? kidding!

[BaNZ]

You nailed it! Except I didn't try to grab the leash, I was dragging the board out by the leash on the shore in a few inches of water and guess I wasn't as in the clear as I thought. d'oh! Lesson learned, fully.

My surf coach taught me never ever touch the leash. I do still get lazy sometimes when I wipeout and loses the board, I yank on the leash to pull the boards towards me. For the love of God, please also do not drag your leash/board across the sand. It is just bad for the board haha. I see so many kooks do that at Rockaway.

The way to get the board out is by holding the board to your side and hold down the tail of the board. You can either push the nose of the board below or above the white wash. Depending on how big the white wash is.

Yes, their rent out their boards very fast. They open at 9am and if you get there at 9:15, only the foamies/terrible boards are left. I try and go there before they open. Also a lot of their boards are badly damaged so a bit annoyed. I've pondering on getting another board and leave it at Breakwater. But for $40 a month, it is a little too much during the winter months as I most likely won't be surfing that much. Do you carry your 8'6 on the train? The boarders shop that have those cargo on the boardwalk have better boards that I rent. Though, they only open in Summer and at 10am which is way too late.

[kookRachelle]

You nailed it! Except I didn't try to grab the leash, I was dragging the board out by the leash on the shore in a few inches of water and guess I wasn't as in the clear as I thought. d'oh! Lesson learned, fully.

My surf coach taught me never ever touch the leash. I do still get lazy sometimes when I wipeout and loses the board, I yank on the leash to pull the boards towards me. For the love of God, please also do not drag your leash/board across the sand. It is just bad for the board haha. I see so many kooks do that at Rockaway.

The way to get the board out is by holding the board to your side and hold down the tail of the board. You can either push the nose of the board below or above the white wash. Depending on how big the white wash is.

Yes, their rent out their boards very fast. They open at 9am and if you get there at 9:15, only the foamies/terrible boards are left. I try and go there before they open. Also a lot of their boards are badly damaged so a bit annoyed. I've pondering on getting another board and leave it at Breakwater. But for $40 a month, it is a little too much during the winter months as I most likely won't be surfing that much. Do you carry your 8'6 on the train? The boarders shop that have those cargo on the boardwalk have better boards that I rent. Though, they only open in Summer and at 10am which is way too late.

I know, I used to drag the (rental) board all the time before I bought my own and never realized it was a no no. Nobody ever told me that! I was around all other newbie students and we all did the same thing. Maybe because they were massive crappy foamies and no one cared. I am careful now with my beloved board, and I always wash the sand off and inspect it before putting it back in the bag (AND at the suggestion of some people on here I keep my leash unwrapped!), but I think I reverted back to old habits on that one "big Wednesday" (8/16) during Gert because I was exhausted!! Never ever again.

Some of their boards are taking on water in the tails! I love them but they need to rent better boards for sure. They have two 9'2" NSPs that I would rent and one had a cracked fin I noticed... took them a week (I think?) to fix. Not only is their storage $40 a month, but there's a wait list so I'm not even going to bother. Also, I don't like Boarders - they're kind of dicks haha!

Yeah, I take my board on the subway. I lived across from the A in Brooklyn Heights so it was convenient and maybe 40 minutes. Weekends weren't bad but if I went out there after work during rush hour I got some looks for sure. The best was traveling with it to Long Beach on the LIRR! The board isn't heavy and the bag is nice, but it's just soooooo long! Haven't broken it yet!

[jaffa1949]

I suggest you check out Triathlete stores, quite a few triathletes wear phone and tracking items in a biceps triceps pack. I assume they are waterproof as they do a swim component. Also since the deed muscle freedom the device would be stable and maybe even go under your wetsuit!.
Hope the hand is recovering well

[kookRachelle]

I suggest you check out Triathlete stores, quite a few triathletes wear phone and tracking items in a biceps triceps pack. I assume they are waterproof as they do a swim component. Also since the deed muscle freedom the device would be stable and maybe even go under your wetsuit!.
Hope the hand is recovering well

That's funny because I used to do tris too. In my experience they are very water resistant for the bike/run but not completely waterproof. For the swim we usually just stuff things up our sleeves like gels and wear a waterproof watch. When I raced I would keep my CGM in transition during the swim and then Velcro it to my aerobars for the bike. I only did half Ironmans so usually averaged 35-40 mins for the 1.2 mile swim. I wonder if there's a wetsuit out there with a larger zip back pocket?

[RinkyDink]

I'm just throwing this out there. I don't have a GoPro, but I see the GoPro mounts on surfboards all the time. There might be some mods out there that use the GoPro mount to place a kind of compartment on your surfboard. I'm sure that would make your surfboard more hazardous, but it beats hypoglycemia.