Hans van den Broek works in the ocean, and dedicated his life to making that surrounding an enjoyable and safe place for everyone by training lifeguards, surf coaches and entrepreneurs about water safety, beach safety, sustainability and sustainable economics. Hans has been responsible for the lifeguard training of Surfing Medicine International at SMI’s Advanced & Basic Surf Life Support Courses and other events such as the World Conference Surfing Medicine. 

Eline Thijssen works as a resident Sports Medicine in Canisius Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis in Nijmegen, the Netherlands and has a special interest in surfing medicine and triathlon. She rolled into Surfing Medicine International during de World Conference of 2017 and stayed within the team since then. Eline is active in communication, marketing and outreach and is also involved in surfing related research and injury prevention. Besides the normal work responsibilities Eline spends a lot of time on the bike, running or swimming and she competes in triathlon races both off-road and on-road. In the winter time she loves to go snowboarding and during summer she likes to be in the mountains. 

Favorite surfboard type: longboard 

Relevant publications:  

1. River surfing injuries – Epidemiology, mechanism and prevention (DOI)link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orthtr.2022.06.002 

2. Surfing and Health in the Covid-19 Era: A Narrative Review  link: 

https://www.surfingmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Surfing-and-Health-COVID-oct19-1.pdf

Pedro Reimunde works as Neurosurgeon at the Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti (Lugo) and Associate Professor of Surgical Pathology at the Universidade da Coruña (UDC). He is co-director of the post-degree course in “Physical training and physical readaptation in surfing” at the UDC. He is too Degree in Physiotherapy and Degree in Physical Education and Sport Sciences. In his daily clinical practice Pedro attend to patients with many neurosurgical pathologies that may be related to surfing, such as: traumatic brain injury, spinal trauma or cervical and lumbar spondyloarthrosic pathology, etc. And on the other hand, Pedro is, above all, a passionate about sports and surfing; he is a local surfer from A Mariña, in the north of Lugo (Galicia), but he surf frequently along the entire north and northwest coast of Galicia. 

Favorite surfboard type: shortboard / sci-fi 2.0 

Relevant publications:  

1. Zebrafish Models for the Safety and Therapeutic Testing of Nanoparticles with a Focus on Macrophages (DOI) link: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11071784  

2. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Glioblastoma and Zebrafish Models for the Discovery of New Treatments (DOI) link: https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13051087  

Catarina is a Microbiologist with a PhD in Biology and has since 2006 been engaged in several lifesaving projects as well as teaching. She has a special interest in drowning research and prevention issues and in promoting water safety in developing countries as well as within non-native and high-risk communities in developed countries.   

She has concentrated her scientific collaboration in several drowning prevention research projects, actively collaborating with University of Porto (Portugal), University of Vigo (Spain), Federation University (Australia), University of Auckland (New Zealand) and Royal Life Saving Society – Australia. Currently, an integrated member at EPI-Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto (Portugal).  

She is President of Surfrider Foundation Portugal, and co-founder of IDRA, a member of the Drowning Prevention Commission and Medical Committee of The International Life Saving Federation (ILS),and member of the Drowning Prevention Commission of ILSE. 

In 2020 & 2021 she has coordinated and co-authored the IDRA-ILS-IMRF Joint Position Statement on the resuscitation of the drowned person during COVID19 Era. She has recently worked for PAHO/WHO has a drowning prevention international consultant. 

Favorite surfboard type: paddle and bodyboard  

Follow Catarina on: 

LinkedIN 

Twitter 

Research Gate 

Vibeke Hjortdal is Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, specializing in congenital heart diseases and related fields. She holds a PhD and is a Doctor of Medical Sciences, both from Aarhus University (AU). Professor Hjortdal has been knighted by the Queen of Denmark and is a member of the Order of the Dannebrog.

Her primary field of research is pathophysiology in congenital heart diseases with a special interest in the inter-relationship between cardiac and pulmonary function at rest and during exercise and long-term outcome, lymphatic function in univentricular hearts, and neurodevelopmental outcome from fetus to adult. Hjortdal pursues a translational approach, where clinically relevant questions are studied through basic science, clinical projects and epidemiology.

With more than 300 peer reviewed publications and more than 10 textbook chapters Hjortdal is a widely renowned scientist in her field. She has been invited lecturer more than 50 times and has presented numerous times. Hjortdal is also reviewer at many high impact international journals.

She has always been invested in teaching and guiding aspiring scientists and has supervised many DMSc, PhDs and research year students.

Since 2009 she has regularly engaged in charitable work with the organisations Chain of Hope, London, where she is also a member of the Strategic Planning Board, and Gift of Life, New York. With these NGOs Hjortdal has performed surgeries on children and young adults with congenital heart diseases in developing countries all over the world. 

Favorite surfboard type: longboard 

Johann Klasen works as an orthopedic physician in a hospital and in a praxis in Hamburg and has a special interest in sports medicine, spinal surgery and conservative orthopedic medicine. On his time off, Johann enjoys traveling, hanging out with nice people and doing sports.  

 
Favorite surfboard type: Fish 

Joel de Oliveira, PhD. Professor of Sports Science in Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Portugal. Degree in Physical Education and Sport. Master’s in Physical Education Teaching in Basic and Secondary Education. PhD in Sports Science (Aquatic Safety-Surfing). Surfing and Swimming Coach. Research topics: Surfers as Bystanders Rescuers and Surf Medicine 

Relevant publications:                                      

1. de Oliveira, J., Piñeiro-Pereira, L., Padrón-Cabo, A., Alonso-Calvete, A., García-Crespo, O., Varela-Casal, C., Queiroga, A.C., & Barcala-Furelos, R. (2021). Percepciones, conocimientos y educación para la prevención del ahogamiento en adolescentes. Revista Española de Salud Pública. 95(1), 1-19.  
2. Barbosa-Sequeira J, Oliveira J. Queiroga AC, Moreira-Pinto J. Prevalence of sport surfing-related injuries – a cross-sectional study of the Portuguese surfing teachers. Sports Orthopaedics and Traumatology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orthtr.2022.11.002 

 Favorite surfboard type: shortboard 

“Ami” Amrita Schäffler-Staud works at the department of Anesthesiology and Intensive-Care Medicine at the Medical UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL in Graz/ Austria. She is a trained general practitioner and currently in her 5^th year of residency.  

She joined the ASLS course as a participant in 2014 and since then is a volunteering member of Surfing Medicine International and for the last years now the course director of the annual “Advanced Surf Life Support” course. 

 She has a special interest in surfing medicine, alpine medicine, emergency medicine, natural/alternative medicine and special anesthesia. On her time off, Ami loves to travel and enjoys to be in nature either in the mountains hiking, snowboarding or splitboarding, and close to the ocean for surfing. 

Favorite surfboard type: shortboard, longboard 

Pedro Seixas works as teacher for the Physiotherapy Course at Atlântica School of Health & Sciences (Oeiras, Portugal) and has a special interest in surfing injuries and cardiorespiratory impairments. As founder of SURFISIO back in 2011, he’s been working with surfers in injury prevention training and treatment  and was also physiotherapist of the Surfing National Team (2013-2014). 

Currently finishing his PhD in Sports Training, with is thesis intitled “Sensorimotor training program for aerial manoeuvres performance and its relationship with lower limbs’ injuries in junior elite surfers”. 

He also started and investigation line about Big Wave Surfers, concerning their injury and respiratory profile, which will be the subject of his Speciality Degree in Physiotherapy, to be presented soon. 

On his time off, Pedro enjoys Surfing, sunset beers with friends, traveling with the family and Netflix & chill ☺▪

Favorite surfboard type: Shortboard 

Relevant publications:  

1. Musculoskeletal injuries in Portuguese junior elite surfers: an epidemiologic and fitness exploratory study. 

https://iosrjournals.org/iosr-jspe/papers/Vol-9Issue1/Ser-1/G09013241.pdf 

2. Setting qualitative performance parameters of elite surfing aerial manoeuvres with 360° rotation. (in press) 

Linkedin / Website organization:                       Pedro Seixas / www.surfisio.pt 

Lisette Langenberg is an orthopaedic surgery resident in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. She specializes in surgery of the upper limb, with a specific interest in Shoulder, elbow and wrist surgery. Currently she is finishing her PhD on corrective surgery of posttraumatic elbow deformities in the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. She combined her passion for surfing with her professional career by publishing a review on chronic surf-induced trauma complaints in surfers with an amazing team of professionals who were acquainted via Surfing Medicine International; and by evaluating finger fractures due to the surf leash in a group of surfers in the area of Biarritz, where she was able to attend an internship in hand surgery. She lives with Hylmar Elsenga and their two children in a small town between Alkmaar and the beach. Whenever the conditions alow it, they will spend as much time in the water as possible. 

Favorite surfboard type:  puddle jumper/Fish shape shortboard or longboard depending on conditions 

Relevant publications:                                

1. Langenberg LC, Vieira Lima G, Heitkamp SE, Kemps FLAM, Jones MS, Moreira MAAG, Eygendaal D. The Surfer’s Shoulder: A Systematic Review of Current Literature and Potential Pathophysiological Explanations of Chronic Shoulder Complaints in Wave Surfers. Sports Med Open. 2021 Jan 6;7(1):2 (DOI)link: (10.1186/s40798-020-00289-0)/link 
2. Ruijs AC, Langenberg LC, Rezzouk J. Finger Trauma Due to Surfing; A Case Series and Analysis of Fracture Patterns. J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol. 2017 Mar;22(1):10-13.  (DOI) link: (10.1142/S0218810417500010)/link 

LinkedIn /  www.medschets.nl 

Ingvar Berg works as an Emergency Physician in Haaglanden Medisch Centrum in The Hague and has a special interest in surfing medicine, advanced life support and POCUS. He is the co-founder and CEO of Surfing Medicine International, a globally active non-profit organisation that promotes health and water safety by connecting health professionals with a passion for surfing, conducts science and educates surfing health professionals as well as non-medically trained surfers. Ingvar is active in drowning research and education with a focus on emergency care, the role of surfers as bystander rescuers and surf injuries. On these topics he has co-organised and presented on multiple conferences and courses and he is looking forward to immersing you in the fascinating topic of surfing medicine including emergency responses and resuscitation. On his time off, Ingvar enjoys surfing in Scheveningen or exploring any other break around the world. 

Favorite surfboard type: shortboard, lost mindriver 

 Relevant publications:

Characteristics of surfers as bystander rescuers in Europe, AJEM 2021. (DOI) link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2021.06.018 

Resuscitation of persons who drowned in sea foam. Resuscitation 2022. (DOI) link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.11.003 

A call for the proper action on drowning resuscitation. Resuscitation 2016. (DOI) link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2016.04.019 

Linkedin                                             

Dion van de Schoot works as an Emergency Physician in Te Whatu Ora Waikato, Hamilton New Zealand and has a special interest in Surfing Medicine, Point of Care ultrasound Human factors & Performance Psychology and Drowning. 

He is the co-founder and COO of Surfing Medicine International, is active in development of educational content for healthcare professionals and Surfing community around Surfing Medicine. His research focus is around bystander rescue and drowning prevention in Surfing Community. He has chaired multiple conferences and is keen to bring all stakeholders together to make positive impact on Surfers wellbeing & health worldwide. 

 Relevant publications:

1. Characteristics of surfers as bystander rescuers in Europe, AJEM 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2021.06.018
2. Surfing and Health in the Covid-19 Era: A Narrative Review  link: https://www.surfingmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Surfing-and-Health-COVID-oct19-1.pdf

 Favorite surfboard type: shortboard, lost minidriver, TJ Pro V Thunderbolt

Linkedin

Jennifer Straatman is a gastrointestinal surgeon, currently working in the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, UK. She has a special interest in robotic surgery and oesophageal cancer surgery. In her spare time, she is an avid surfer, and loves to combine her passion for surfing and medicine in Surfing Medicine International. As an epidemiologist, she’s involved in many of SMI’s research projects and always keen to start up new projects.

Favorite surfboard type: my handshaped Flow and Soul fish, 5’4”

Relevant publications:

River surfing injuries – Epidemiology, mechanism and prevention. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orthtr.2022.06.002

All publications

Sebastiaan is working with surfers every day. As a physiotherapist / MSc Manual therapist in his hometown Scheveningen, but also abroad with the Dutch Olympic teams. He’s a real water fanatic and hopes to join you for a surf in Galicia. Together with Lisette Langenberg and a respectable crew of specialists, he did research about the surfers shoulder. His interest in this topic has led to multiple therapies, further research, and the Injury Prevention Program, made with a group of colleagues and in collaboration with the Norwegian Olympic department and Skadefri. He is keen to shar with you his passion for surfing related therapy and the surfer’s shoulder.    

Favorite surfboard type: shortboard/fins/longboard/camera

Relevant publications:

1. The Surfer’s Shoulder: A Systematic Review of Current Literature and Potential Pathophysiological Explanations of Chronic Shoulder Complaints in Wave Surfers (DOI)link: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-020-00289-0

2. Surfing (fittoplay.org)

Ogi started surfing 1986 on the beaches of California and never stopped surfing since. 

Upon finishing his medical training he first worked in internal medicine and anaesthesiology before specializing in Ophthalmology, Optometry and Eye surgery. Later he widened his education in specializing in Occupational and Preventive Medicine with special interest in UV eye pathology.

Currently Ogi also consult Plastic Soup foundation : Ocean Health and Safety, Plastics and Human Body Review, Surfing Medicine International’s Lab

His love for surfing has lead him to become one of the founders of Surfing Medicine International, co-creator of the Surf firs Aid App and SMI coordinator of the HP Surf Coaching Uni Lisbon, all driven by the goal to: “Keep Surfers healthy and safe”. 

Recent publications:

River surfing injuries – Epidemiology, mechanism and prevention. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orthtr.2022.06.002

Bart Haveman works as a Winchman Technical Crew member for the Netherlands Coastguard Search And Rescue contract, which is currently operated by Bristow group. Two Search And Rescue helicopters are on standby 24hrs per day all year round, to rescue people in distress and evacuate injured sailors and offshore workers in the North Sea area.
Bart is a lifeguard instructor and a volunteer crew member for the Netherlands lifeboat institution (KNRM).
On his time off, Bart can be found in the water, where he practices various watersports depending on the conditions provided. 

Relevant publications:
1. (DOI) link:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2021.06.018

www.bristowgroup.com/services/netherlands-search-and-rescue

Steven is an experienced Intensivist/Critical Care specialist with a passion for direct patient care, education and teamwork, including anaesthesiology background.
Specialties: echography; airway management; Team Resource Management (TRM), sedation and analgesia; acute medicine; training, education and coaching.

Relevant publications:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20463176/

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24158169/

Professional surfer, social media influencer with more than 3 millions followers and works as a doctor for the ACB team Obradoiro Basket.

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