The Surfmedizin e.V. association brings together doctors from all disciplines who are active water sports enthusiasts themselves and specialise in injuries and prevention in surfing, wings, sailing and more. Among other things, the surf doctors look after the riders at the Racer of the Sea and the World Cup on Sylt. Closer cooperation with the PWA and Björn Dunkerbeck.
On 29 August, the association invites you to the sixth water sports medicine workshop at the Olympiazentrum Kiel-Schilksee. The programme starts at 9:30 a.m. with registration and an industry exhibition. Dr Thomas Gangl from Surfmedizin e.V. will be the scientific director. The participation fee is 30 euros, members of the association attend free of charge. The Schleswig-Holstein Medical Association will award nine continuing education points for the event. The workshop combines theoretical lectures in the morning with practical sessions on the water in the afternoon. The location in the Regattahaus offers direct access to the Baltic Sea and thus enables the direct transfer of medical knowledge into sports practice.
Medical lectures on injury patterns in surfing and wings
The lecture programme covers typical injuries and illnesses suffered by water sports enthusiasts. PD Dr Jakob Nüchtern from the Trauma Surgery Department at the Westküstenklinikum Heide will speak at 10:00 a.m. about current treatment concepts for elbow dislocations. Dr Kai Hinrich Olms from Bad Schwartau will address the question of whether Achilles tendon injuries should be treated surgically or conservatively at 10.25 am. At 10:50 a.m., PD Dr Christian Mende from the Department of Neurosurgery at FEK Neumünster will shed light on the options for sport with or after a slipped disc. After the coffee break at 11.15 a.m., three further specialist presentations will follow. Prof Dr Martin Mempel from the dermatology practice in Elmshorn will talk about skin problems in water sports enthusiasts between sun, salt and chlorine at 11.35 am. Dr Lennart Bartolitius from the Bartolitius pulmonary practice in Neumünster will speak at 12:00 on the subject of water sports with asthma. The morning programme will conclude at 12:25 p.m. with a lecture on PRP in sports medicine by Dr Thomas Gangl.
Coastal Rowing as an Olympic prospect
At 13:20, Miklas Scheer, member of the German national rowing team and 2025 world champion, will present coastal rowing as a new Olympic sport for 2028. The presentation will provide insights into the special features of this rowing discipline, which differs from classic rowing on inland waters. Coastal rowing takes place on open waters with waves and places different demands on equipment and athletes. Its inclusion in the Olympic programme for Los Angeles 2028 also makes the sport increasingly relevant for sports medicine. As a reigning world champion, Scheer can report on the specific stresses and injury risks from his own experience. The lecture forms the transition to the practical part of the workshop, in which the participants themselves go out on the Baltic Sea.
Practical units on the Baltic Sea
Practical activities are on the programme from 14:00. Participants can choose from a range of activities. A workshop will teach the basics of Kinesio Taping, a technique for stabilising joints and muscles without restricting movement. A coastal rowing demonstration will take place on the water, where participants can experience the sport presented in the lecture. There will also be the opportunity to try out wakesurfing and wakefoiling under professional guidance. These trend sports are becoming increasingly important in the water sports scene and bring with them their own medical issues. The practical sessions will last until 4.45 p.m. and will allow the medical professionals to experience the injury patterns and stresses discussed for themselves. The workshop will end with a final discussion over coffee and cake and a get-together.
Information and registration at surfmedicine.org
