I was lucky enough to go to Mexico for a little surfing last week. The wife and I were staying in Troncones just north of Ixtapa. There was good weather, and good waves. On the third day I went out for an afternoon session. It was smaller, and the take off point was in the shallows. Set came, and I grabbed my first wave. Heading down the line I notice that water is getting really shallow. I start pumping to make the section. It’s then that I realize it’s not going to happen. So I go to jump into wave to land in some deeper water. Things didn’t go according to plan, and I am grabbed by the lip and thrown into the rocks. I make like a starfish, and lay flat trying to avoid anymore collisions with the rocks. This doesn’t happen and left-side is dragged along the rocks. Suddenly I am stopped when my foot jambs into a rock. I get my head above water, and grab my board and paddle my way into the deeper water. Surveying the damage I have some minor scraps on my left side. But my foot is starting to sting. I had hit a sea urchin when my right foot jambed into the rock. Kelly and I head back to the hotel. Where with a needle, tweezers, and some tequila we remove a dozen of the larger spines. After getting the big ones out it’s decided that the rest will have to be removed in the States. Hobble around the rest of the trip and have a good time lounging by the pool.
When I got home I went to the ER. I got six shots of local anesthetic to numb the site. If anyone has had any shots given to them in their foot they would understand that this is the worst thing ever. This was the most painful part of my whole experience. After I was numb it was all good, and the doctor removed the rest of the spines.
Thought I would share my story. Maybe you will think twice about wearing those stupid little reef booties on your next trip south.
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