Surfing Waves

Hi Guys

So I’m currently travelling New Zealand and have been surfing regularly for the first time in my life..(I’m 21)....really enjoying it except for a recent bicep soreness in both arms after my last few recent sessions....it’s making me get out of the water early as the pain is so bad... I bought a 4/3 wetsuit from Bodyline which is tight, On the arms but not so tight to cause this I thought !

I wondered if anyone else has experienced this and is it because of my wetsuit? Using new muscles for the first time? Or surfing too often ??

Hope someone can help!

Cheers
Sam

Hard call. Consider fatigue in muscles not used to that level of usage, answer rest, either no surf session, or severely shortened session, secondary a review of paddle technique, would be helpful. If you are still a novice surfer, then technique would be the most important item to review.
Really bad technique puts stress on the elbows and triceps and up to the origin of the biceps.
Usual cause of problems is not stroking along the board but spreading the arms wide out. This puts more rotational forces into the rotator cuff area, irritation and inflammation occur.

Rest, massage by someone who knows what they are doing, there may be impedance of the biceps tendon ( clear diagnosis and treatment by a chiropractor, myotherapist, physiotherapist any of those but not a backyarder.

There are medical treatments too, be aware though that treatments like cortisone shot will often appear to fix the problem and they help with rest, but symptom relief and then surfing on top could risk more serious structural injury.
Get your problem correctly diagnosed and then choose the treatment accordingly!
Good luck, hopefully just over use

I haven't ever heard of this malady. We don't use wetsuits much where I live. The only thing I can think of is you are whacking your biceps on the board when you paddle. Is that possible? Short arms and wide board might make that more likely. You are traveling so no access to your regular doctor? Well that is all I can think of so sorry if it doesn't help

I've experienced rotator cuff and shoulder problems due to an overly restrictive wetsuit. Try renting another wetsuit and see if you're happier. You'll notice the difference right away if it's the wetsuit that is the problem (make sure you fit into the next wetsuit properly). It could just be that you're overdoing it. Give yourself rest days or you'll end up regretting the injuries later (sometimes for a lifetime). Resting is also how your brain processes what it has learned and refines it. Those are how your surfing dreams help.



Good luck and get plenty of rest.