Surfing Medicine International brings an unique event , The World Conference Surfing Medicine to Torquay the Surfing capital of Australia for a three-day programme of inspiring lectures including workshops, and outdoor activities, featuring leading specialists and inspirational speakers in Surfers’ Health & Injury Prevention, Training & Performance, and the Ocean Environment.

Now entering its’ seventh year, the World Conference Surfing Medicine (WCSM) is a state-of-the-art conference delivering premium academic content in an engaging and interactive format, providing a scientific, evidence-based, platform for key stakeholders in modern surfing. To date, over fifty, high-impact factor, peer-reviewed journal published, leading academics have delivered a total of 70 lectures, 25 masterclasses, and 15 outdoor workshops, to in excess of 600 delegates drawn from across the globe.

Each daily programme at WCSM 2019 will be dedicated to a theme reflecting the needs of the modern day surfer. SMI will provide a platform for Surfers, Students, Scientists, Water Safety Experts/Lifeguards and Health care professionals

Day 1 - Health & Prevention

On day 1 we focus on Surfers’ Health and Injury Prevention with special focus on drowning, remote environment first-response, injury prevention, UV-protection, and mental health. Against the backdrop of a changing surfing landscape (i.e. arrival, and assimilation, of artificial wave venues, imminent Olympic sport status, etc.).

Day 2 - Training Performance

Day Two will explore evolving Training and Performance approaches in elite surfing, considering aspects such as positive psychology, emotional regulation and stress management, high performance training – Youth Academy to Elite, and sports nutrition amongst others.

Day 3 - Ocean Environment

Cognisant of arguably the greatest threat to continued human existence of this planet, our final day programme will look in-depth at the Ocean Environment. Scientific consensus acknowledges the detrimental effect of increasing global ambient and water temperatures, the latter especially on marine environments. Furthermore, established human behaviour and consumption patterns in westernized (‘developed’) economies jars with meaningful suggestions towards sustainability. What can the ordinary surfer do? On Day Three, you will hear from people on the frontline in microplastics, effects on human health, ocean cleanup, water quality improvement, and how they are effecting positive change in their communities and beyond.

• Natalie Hood, MD: Medical Advisor for Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), Paediatric Emergency Medicine Specialist, Drowning Resuscitation, Australia
• Justin Scarr: CEO Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Australia, Drowning Prevention, Global Policy, Impact on global health, Australia
• Mischa Goettinger, MD: Driving force behind the Surf Life Support Courses, SMI app developer, Sports and General Physician, Co-founder of SMI, COE, Germany
• Allan Mackillop MD: Medical Director World Surf League, Chief Medical Officer Aeromedical Services LifeFlight, Anaesthetic and Retrieval Specialist, Australia
• Brandon Lindberg, MD: Fellowship trained foot and ankle surgeon, specializes in sports medicine, trauma and advanced deformity correction of the lower extremity, USA
• Dr. Bernadette Matthews: Principal Research Associate, Aquatic Risk and Research, Life Saving Victoria.
• Wendy Wilkinson, MD: Emergency Medicine Specialist, Geelong, WSL Tour Physician Experience, Surfing Medicine and female leadership, Australia
• Ogi Markovic, MD: Vision and Performance, High Performance Surf Coach Postgraduate, Uni. Lisbon. Specialist in Ophthalmology, Optometry, Occupational & Preventive Medicine, Medical consultant to the Plastic Soup Foundation, Co-founder of Surfing Medicine International, CSO, Austria
• Anne Creaton: Emergency Medicine Specialist, Global Health, Disaster and retrieval medicine, building capacity in Emergency Care in pacific region, Australia
• Doug King: Concussion Specialist, Global top academic on head injuries - Impact on performance, mental state & health, New Zealand.
• Amy Peden: Research Manager Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Australia, Risk factors Drowning, Australia
• Joel Pilgrim: Founder and CEO of mental health charity, the Waves of Wellness (WOW) Foundation, Australia
• Dion van de Schoot, MD: Emergency Medicine Registrar, Chair of WCSM 2019, Co-founder of Surfing Medicine International, New Zealand
• Andrew Schmidt, MD: Emergency Physician, Academic Expert on Drowning, founder of Lifeguard without borders, USA
• Ingvar Berg,MD: CEO Surfing Medicine International, Emergency Medicine Specialist, Bystander Rescue by Surfers, The Netherlands

Day 2 - 12th of April 2019 Training & Performance

• Rebecca Dowse: Strength and Condition Scholar, PhD Candidate at Edith Cowan University in collaboration with Surfing Australia and Surfing Western Australia.
• Dr Oliver Farley, Lead of Strength and Conditioning Coach for Surfing New Zealand.
• Richy Bennett: First psychologist to work globally on the WSL, author of the Surfer’s Mind, Jan Luc Victoria, Australia
• Donna Masing: Sports and Performance Therapist, resident therapist at Surfing Australia’s High Performance Centre.
• Konrad Slavinskis: Physiotherapist Surfing Victoria, from acute injury to rehabilation, Torquay
• Prof Miguel Moreira: Human Kinetics/Sports Scientist, major focuses of attention are Surf sport performance and sport expertise, Lisbon Portugal.
• Drew Slimmon: Sports Physician Surfing Victoria, provider of Sports Medicine Services during Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Surf Event, Torquay VIC, Australia
• Tim Just: Athlete Performance team leader at Fluid Performance and WCT & WQS surf coach, Programme director Fluid Performance, QLD, Australia
• Clive Rodell: Strength and Conditioning Coach, Senior Lecture on Training & Performance, a life long of Surf Coaching, NSW, Australia
• James Furness: Sport Scientist, Bond University Water Based Research Unit, Sydney, Australia
• Aimee Morabito: Dietician, Special interest in Nutrition & Surfing, Torquay Victoria.

• Prof. Marc in het Panhuis: Developer of 3D printed surfboard fins, Professor at the University of Wollongong.
• A/Prof. David Kennedy: Director, Office for Enviromental Programs, University of Melbourne.
• Laura Wells: Environmentalist, presenter and one of Australia’s top plus size models. Environmental Management, Paramedic
• Susie Crick: National Chairwoman of the Surfrider Foundation, Plastic Pollution Director and South Coast Branch President, Australia
• Maria Westerbos: Founder and Director of Plastic Soup Foundation, one of the leading advocacy groups to tackle plastic pollution, The Netherlands

Interactive learning

Next to the lecture programme, the World Conference on Surfing Medicine will provide an unique learning environment for the participants to interact with experts, get hands on skills in outdoor and real test setting.

1) Small group Q&A with expert

2) Demonstration + Q&A with expert

3) Testing & Learning (Training & Performance)

4) Skill Stations : Drowning Resuscitation, Surf First Aid, Lifeguarding / Water Safety

5) Abstract and community project presentations

6) Exhibitor Stands

Platform / Abstracts

The WCSM provides platform for students and professionals to present their community projects, research or inspiring story around Health & Injury Prevention, Training & Performance, and the Ocean Environment.

Present your work on WCSM 2019:

Abstracts on medical research: case reports, review, original studies

Abstracts on sports & environmental science

Community projects relevant to ocean/ surf sport and the above topics

Inspiring stories connected to Surf Life / Surfer’s Health & Injury / Ocean Environment

Send you poster / presentation to conference@surfingmed.com to win a fantastic prize for the best contribution to WCSM 2019.

Check www.surfingmed.com for more information