Free medical advice: Surfmedizin e.V. advises and supports the PWA professionals

The PWA has launched a collaboration with Surf Medicine, which offers free medical support to all registered athletes. The non-profit organisation was founded by doctors and medical professionals who are actively involved in water sports themselves. Thomas Gangl, one of the founders, explains the motivation: "Surfmedizin is a non-profit organisation founded by doctors and medical professionals who not only have a passion for medicine - but also for water sports. We are all active windsurfers, kitesurfers, surfers or sailors ourselves, so we really understand the demands of the sport, travelling, the pressure of competition and, of course, the typical injuries that can come with it." The goal is clearly defined: to provide sport-focussed, practical and accessible medical support specifically for water sports athletes - from ambitious amateurs to World Tour professionals. The combination of medical expertise and practical experience on the water makes a big difference.

Interview: What does the Surfmedizin e.V. association do?

Direct access without bureaucracy

Contact can be made easily by email or via social media. After a brief initial intake with basic details such as name, discipline, current location, medical problem and relevant medical history, the team connects the athletes with the appropriate specialist from the network. "There is no complicated process. No bureaucracy. The focus is on fast, practical help - whether they are at the event venue or somewhere remote between stops," emphasises Gangl.

The motivation for this free service is rooted in their own experience as athletes. The team knows how difficult it can be to access high-quality, sport-specific medical advice when you are constantly on the move - especially in an international competition environment. The aim is to remove barriers by offering free support. If an athlete is reluctant to seek help because of cost, complexity or uncertainty, that is already a problem. The message is: if something feels wrong, get in touch. Early counselling often prevents long-term problems.

Prevention always more effective than rehabilitation

The support is not limited to injury treatment. The surf medicine team helps with acute injuries, rehabilitation strategies, return-to-sport decisions and second opinions. However, prevention is just as important. Athletes can seek advice on training planning, nutrition, regeneration strategies or biomechanical optimisation. The earlier experts are involved, the better. Prevention is always more effective than rehabilitation.

The team plans to be present in person at selected World Cup events whenever possible. For example, there was always a fixed contact point at the recent World Cup Sylt, which many athletes visited. However, regardless of physical presence, remote medical support is always available - at every event and between events. Even if the team is not on the beach, it is only a message away.

Pain is information, not weakness." (Thomas Gangl, Surfmedizin e.V.)

Advice on how to avoid injuries

According to Gangl, the most important preventative measures are relatively simple but extremely effective. These include an appropriate warm-up, especially for the shoulders and lower back, as well as strength training to stabilise the shoulder girdle and trunk. Regeneration plays a central role - sleep, hydration, structured rest days and adequate nutrition are crucial. Athletes should listen to early warning signs: "Pain is information, not weakness," emphasises Gangl.

The most common problems for windsurfers include shoulder overuse injuries such as muscle strains and instability, lower back pain, knee strains and acute impact injuries from falls, particularly metatarsal injuries known as Lisfranc injuries. This specific knowledge of typical water sports injuries distinguishes surf medicine from general sports medicine. The team understands the biomechanical stresses and can provide targeted advice on how athletes can prepare their bodies for the specific demands of windsurfing.

More info at surfmedicine.org

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