Surf trips despite IBS? 7 tips to reduce fear and make it possible!
My surfing and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) story basically started at the same time. I always dreamed of learning to surf but living in the middle of Germany didn’t make this dream very accessible. So in 2017, I decided to book a stay at a surfcamp in Bali. During that time, I studied two bachelor programs at once, with a difficult family situation due to a critical diagnosis of a family member. Three weeks surfing in Bali sounded like the perfect and very-needed break from this stressful period in my life.
IBS doesn’t come out of the blue
What I didn’t know at my young and naive age of 21 is that surprise, surprise a long travel to a foreign country with a different culture, new smells, and foods, is stressful for the body as well. But there I was, living my surf dream for 1.5 weeks until my body said enough is enough and reacted to my stress level with my digestive system to basically stop working. I finished the remaining time in Bali with ongoing constipation and stomach cramps. Back home I ran to over 10 different doctors, did all kinds of tests, and was left with the typical sentence that probably all my IBS fellows know: “We cannot find anything, you look perfectly healthy, you probably have IBS. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing we can do about it.” Well, thank you.
*If you experience IBS symptoms, please go see your doctor to make sure it’s nothing else.*
Your body is leaving you a message
With the idea of not being able to change my symptoms, I decided to manage them and continue my life as far as possible. I followed my dream of learning to surf and joined a few more surfcamps, but the symptoms got worse over the years. I even developed sleeping problems because of the chronic stomach pain which led to anxiety to go into the water because I looked like a pregnant whale 24/7 (or at least I felt like it due to my bloated belly).
However, when I made it into the water, fighting with the current and trying to catch waves, I forgot my symptoms.
Don’t let IBS take your moments of flow
I realized I was facing a challenge here: Due to all my symptoms I developed anxiety about going on surftrips and into the water, while at the same time, this is where I felt best – and I didn’t want to lose those moments of calm. So I realized that I need to listen to my body and find a way to adjust surftrips to my needs and use the happy moments and almost symptom-free time in the water as part of my healing. Here are a few aspects that help me to reduce my anxiety and make it possible to still go on surftrips. Maybe, they’ll help you as well:
7 tips to enjoy your surf trips despite IBS
1) First and most important: Learn about your boundaries and don’t be afraid to accept and voice them. This is the (not very easy) base for learning how to adjust the external factors of your surf trip, so you can feel as calm and comfortable as possible.
2) If you face sleeping problems, make sure to create a living and sleeping situation that works for you. For me, this means that I need my own room in surf camps or my own tent when camping. When you’re on a surf trip in a group, don’t be afraid to let people know that this is a must for you. If you cannot sleep during your vacation, no one will benefit from it – and you will need to be rested to have a great time in the water!
3) If you know that some foods trigger your symptoms, let your surf camp or friends group know about it, so they or you can cook meals that work for you. Trust me, it’s okay to be the person who has special needs. Everyone does in different ways and kind people will understand it.
4) When you’re with a group, make sure you feel comfortable with them. Maybe you’re already with your best friends and if not, speak openly about your health and troubles so you don’t feel like you have to hide all the time. It’s remarkable how many people open up, once you open up. This can be the start of a great new friendship as well.
5) Coffee first, if it works for you: I usually drink coffee before surfing to get anything out of the system that can cause trouble and cramps when catching waves. This probably won’t work for everyone, but why not try?
6) Take time for yourself. Most people with IBS are quite sensitive to stress. When you’re with a lot of people on a campsite or in a surf camp, take some me-time and maybe go for a walk at the beach by yourself, sit at the ocean, or have a little meditation or yoga break. Especially in groups, FOMO is real, but those little moments can bring your mind and body a lot of calm.
7) Last but not least: Try it out! As cliché as it sounds, to overcome fear, you have to go through it! I usually have really bad IBS flare-ups the week before my next surf trip because my head is full of doubts and “what ifs”. The moment I arrive and have my first jump into the water, it’s much better. You have to feel that it’s possible despite the difficulties in the beginning. The moments of calm in the water are worth it!
I believe that it all comes down to knowing yourself, your needs, and boundaries and standing up for them. It’s not easy and just like surfing it’s a journey that I am on as well. However, to me, it’s worth it as I think that being in the ocean is healing.
If you have any more tips that work for you, feel free to share them! They might help others as well.
