Is it safe to surf with epilepsy? How can you support somebody who has seizures in the water? And do surfing instructors know how to help someone with epilepsy? In this episode, Frankie York takes us through some of her own experiences surfing with epilepsy, and how having epilepsy affects her relationships with other surfers.
Surfing is classified as a top tier extreme sport, with inherent danger and a need to be aware and alert at all times. But it is also a sport recognised for the therapeutic benefits, and the sense of escapism being in the water can provide. Frankie found a passion for surfing when she was travelling in Ecuador. Over the last 2 years, she has had to explore her relationship with the sport, and examine how to stay safe.
And she has also had to explore and examine the relationships she has with her fellow surfers, who have supported her through her epilepsy journey.
In this episode, Frankie talks to three surfers: Simon, who runs her local surf school; Jessie, who was the former Vice President at their University surf society; and Zim, a good friend who supported Frankie with surfing, and with her seizures.
They talked about:
The requirements for becoming a International Surfing Association (ISA) qualified instructor
How much responsibility should friends of surfers with epilepsy take?
Responsibility in a more formal organisational manner
What goes into planning a surf trip
The accessibility of surfing when you have additional needs or safety concerns
The type of emergency training surf instructors undertake
Risk assessments from a professional point of view
What organisers do to help 'high risk' people and what worst case scenario plans are
How it feels to support a friend with epilepsy
What Frankie's surfer friends would like people with epilepsy to know
Plus we hear a bit more about Frankie's backstory and when she started having seizures, and balancing her passion for surfing.
CONTENT WARNING: We talk about some close calls with surfing, and the potential consequences of having a seizure in water.
CONTENT WARING 2: There is a small swearword.
Disclaimer: Please remember this is Frankie' personal experience. We take no responsibility for individual decisions made with regards to adventure sports or medical conditions.
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Become a patron to support the podcast and continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure. Sign up for as little as $3 a month (that’s less than the price of a coffee!!). All Patrons will get extra content every month, even between seasons, and Patrons at $5 and above get bonus episodes. Find out more at patreon.com/seizeyouradventure.
MUSIC:
Kev Rowe on Soundcloud | Creative Commons Attribution License
TRANSCRIPT ON ITS WAY.
I am working to try and get accurate transcripts for all the Seize Your Adventure episodes. In the meantime, you can find most episodes on YouTube for auto transcript
This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network
Surfing, Seizures and Safety with Frankie York