Water Based Research UnitSURFINGThe Gold Coast weather, geography and culture of water sports make it a truly unique aquatic recreational and sporting environment. With over 2.5 million surfers in Australia, the Gold Coast is home to a large percentage of both professional and recreational surfers (Surfing Australia, 2010). However despite these numbers there is a significant lack of research surrounding the identification of surfing injuries (both acute and chronic) and valid approaches to prevention. Hear more from James Furness on the surfing injuries research. Take our SurveyAcute and Chronic Surfing Injuries Survey Why Research is neededInjury assumptions have been made around predominantly survey based studies, clinical expertise and observations. No research has identified musculoskeletal asymmetries or long term effects from surfing. Current and Future Projects- A national survey will give a global snapshot of current surf injuries, predominant location of injury, and the relationship between variables such as age, frequency of surfing, stance, and level of experience.
- Based on the above findings a musculoskeletal screening tool will be designed to identify asymmetries within surfing populations compared to non-surfers. -
- A physiological screen will be performed on various groups (long-term recreational, elite) of surfers. VO2 max, max power output and general baseline measures will be performed.
Clinical ImplicationsResearch will aid in developing a valid and reliable screening tool to identify surfers who are at risk of potential injury and to be used as a guide for future treatment strategies. STAND UP PADDLE BOARDINGOne of the newest sports growing in popularity is Stand up Paddle boarding (SUP). SUP’s increasing attractiveness is attributed to SUP’s deemed easy to learn and that it does not always require specific surf conditions for participation. The peak body for Stand Up Paddle Surfing Australia has identified Currumbin (Gold Coast) as the highest density and center of SUP in Australia. Why Research is needed SUP websites have claimed that the benefits of SUP include improvements in strength, co-ordination, core stability and physical conditioning, however these claims remain fully unsubstantiated. Although the sport has been seen as a recreational activity clearly it has potential as an exercise training and rehabilitation tool. Current and Future Projects- Demonstrating the power output associated with a stroke & the VO2 max of an elite paddle boarder-
- ‘The physiological benefits of Stand Up Paddle boarding’.
- An analysis of an open water race.
- An analysis of muscle recruitment on unstable surfaces.
- A comparison of the benefits of stand up paddle boarding across the age groups
- ‘The health and fitness benefits of Stand Up Paddle Boarding’.
- The effect of an intensive 6 week paddle boarding program fitness, strength, balance and endurance
- ‘The potential use of Stand Up Paddle Boarding as a rehabilitative tool’.
Clinical ImplicationsProvide baseline measures for the sport, provide insight into fitness, strength and balance gains possible with this new tool, identify the efficacy of using SUP as a rehabilitation tool. Contact DetailsSUSTAINABLE SURF TOURISM This research stream explores sustainability in the context of surf tourism developing nations such as Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Fiji. The central aim of this research is to critically analyse the enablers and impediments to community-centred, sustainable approaches to surf tourism. The findings will result in a deeper understanding of how these often remote communities can utilise nature-based surf tourism resources for community building and poverty alleviation, and ultimately, decrease their reliance on less sustainable activities like mining, logging and fishing. Why Research is Needed Earlier research has demonstrated that that the past mismanagement of surf tourism in developing nations has resulted in crowding, economic leakage, and sociocultural and environmental degradation for host communities. By analysing the contributing and inhibiting factors to host community involvement in the surf tourism equation, a deeper understanding of how remote communities can sustainably utilise locally available marine-based surf tourism resources can be developed. Current and Future Projects - O’Brien, D., & Ponting, J., (2013). Sustainable surf tourism: A community-centered approach in Papua New Guinea. Journal of Sport Management, 27, 158-172.
- Ponting, J. & O’Brien, D. (Under First Review). Managing Nirvana: An analysis of Fiji’s struggle for sustainable surf tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism.
- Surf tourism, sport development and community building: Exploring the nexus in a remote Papua New Guinean village.
- Surf tourism as a lever for community healing after war: The case of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.
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