Thinking about going surfing with your stoma bag? Good news, you totally can and it’s going to be epic. Follow my best tips on surfing with a stoma bag and enjoy the surf without worrying about your bag in the water. Just remember to always have a chat with your stoma nurse as every case is different!
New to ostomy life?
If your surgery was a while ago, you can skip ahead to tip number 3, if your surgery was within 6 months, then take a look through these recommendations:
- Make sure you’re confident with your core strength.
Stoma surgery is tough on the abdominal muscles, and surfing requires the core to be engaged in order to balance. You need to feel ready to take on additional strain in your core muscles. If you don’t feel ready yet, speak to your stoma nurse about exercises you can do to build your core. - Know your bag
Have you been swimming with your bag? Do you know that it will stay while you’re in the water? If not, talk with your nurse and try out different bags that work well for swimming.
More of a seasoned ostomate?
Okay so you’re happy with your strength after surgery, you know your bag is alright while swimming. I think you’re ready to start planning your surfing trip.
- Don’t skip meals, but plan for a less active stoma
Needless to say, surfing is more comfortably done with an empty bag. I don’t advise skipping meals in order to go surfing- you’ll need the energy out there, trust me. But perhaps plan to go out while your stoma is less active. I find that 15-20 minutes after breakfast in the morning means I can empty my bag and it’ll stay that way for a few hours! - Supportive swimwear
A relatively supportive swimming costume or high waisted bikini is perfectly suitable. A wetsuit or springsuit will give you additional support and be more discrete if a bag leak does occur. You could also consider ostomy specific swimwear like Siilostomy. They also have a stoma guard to protect your stoma while out on the board. - Start with a soft-top
Beginner surfboards have a layer of foam on the top, this will not only reduce damage if it hits you in the head, but it should also be more comfortable with your stoma. Certainly opt for these soft tops or ‘ if you’re just starting out! - Emergency bag change kit
Pack a small bag with everything you need to change your stoma bag. I take one with me pretty much everywhere I go but there’s a good chance you’ll want a fresh bag once you dry off. If you come out of the water and your bag is peeling away, you’ll have everything you need. Don’t rush that first bag change and rinse off the salt on your skin and make sure the skin is completely dry before putting on a new bag. - Hydration and sun safety!
Take water with you to chug post-surf! Maybe add some electrolytes as you’ll need to top yourself up once you’re done. Like always, wear sunscreen everywhere and zinc on your face and neck to protect your skin! - Have fun
For me, surfing is one of the activities that allows everything else to melt away. Allow yourself to leave all of your problems and worries on the shore while you bob about in the ocean.
Don’t let your ostomy stop you from doing what you’ve always wanted to do. You didn’t go through all that crap to let life pass you by! I sincerely hope this blog helps you, and honestly, what’s the worst that could happen? Your bag explodes? Well, lucky you’ll be in a giant body of water you can wash yourself off in, and if you follow tip 4, you can sort yourself out in no time.
