Windsurfing injuries: added awareness of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

With proper training and safety precautions, windsurfing is a relatively safe sport, but its unique equipment and unpredictable environmental conditions can produce serious injuries. Clinicians are likely to see patients with ankle injuries, tarsometatarsal injuries, or anterior shoulder dislocations sustained during falls; chronic low-back pain from stresses placed on torsos; and skin lacerations and sun damage. The physician's role in preventing injuries is to stress safety, especially using equipment properly and wearing protective gear and sunscreen.