i want to be able to see to surf!

[heather]

i've not even started surfing yet but i really want to try it out this summer, i'm at bristol university but don't know anyone in the surf team and so this seems a sensible place to ask a question,
the problem is i have to wear glasses, and can't wear contact lenses (silly optician told me not to!) and i'm worried that's going to be a severe problem to surfing, i really can't see very far without them so just not wearing them isn't an option. does anyone else have this problem and what did they do about it? i've wanted to surf for ages so it'd be awful not to be able to cos of this :( :shock:

thank you to anyone who can help, love heather x

[surf patrol]

Hi heather, welcome to Surfing Waves.

Poor vision in the surf will be a problem. If you cannot see the waves coming then you will not be able to catch them. It could also be dangerous if you start surfing in bigger waves. It's unfortunate that you cannot wear contact lenses as this would be the obvious solution. Still, all is not lost. You have two choices.
1. Laser eye surgery - not suitable for everyone & a lot of money for a Uni student.
2. Prescription swimming goggles - at around 30 pounds will not break the bank. You night need to attach them to your wetsuit just in case they get knocked off when you wipe out.

So unless you have the spare cash pop down to your local opticians.

[vitopilot]

Heather,


Surf Patrol has all great suggestions. I wear contacts but also go to the beach in my glasses. If you can, find goggles that can go over your glasses. I am guessing but I assume your doctor didn't recommend contacts either because your vision changes rapidly or you were too young for them, my doctor did the same thing with me but I went and got contacts on my own and never really went back to glasses. Contacts would make it a lot easier but contacts also have a downside in the water. Good luck.

[surfer bob]

i have the same problem, i'm off surfing in summer and my sight not too bad bad if prescription googles are ok to surf with i'll wear them ( i didnt want to get laughed off the beach so i thought id ask)

[yohja134]

I have surfed 'blind" ( nearsighted, 7.00 in each eye) which is really difficult. Its only safe on a clean beach, with few surfers and no rocks. it is hard to see the waves coming, hard to see where you're going, but an incredible feeling of speed.
Now i wear contacts, sometimes they wash out of my eyes. It can be expensive to replace them, if you buy month-longs.

I like the sound of prescription goggles - i'll get an awful goggle tan line or burn line. Goggles never keep out water when I'm swimming - would they work in the waves?

[Guest]

Hi Heather,

I have the same problem as you - check out this web page: www/silverfish.com and go to the 'eyewear' section.

Good luck ..!
:)