Had an improved session at Hampton this week. Note to others, though I'm sure locals are aware, there are prickly things on the rocks, avoid them. I just had to dig 6 of these out of my feet. Avoid the rocks, always wear booties.

Thanks for the heads up.. I use booties but many don't.. especally in this hot weather.

yeah - booties all the time to stop kicking toes and feet above and below water.

i have had minor cuts from stuff that goes thru the thinner soles like galss etc.

also reduce top of feet exposure to sun - im getting old

Post script - got the last splinter out today. Really painful process. I was going to leave the last one to hope it worked its own way out. It was really deep under my big toe. Gave up hoping and took the time to get it out today.

Fair to say that its been extremely uncomfortable, and stopped me from running and hindered my walking. I was at Hampton again over the weekend and saw a sea urchin on the beach. Pretty certain that's what it was. Will always launch near the LSC as the rocks are cleared there.

Looked like sea urchin from the pictures. Best way to get them out is to piss on your foot, it seems to get them to come to the surface of your skin enough to pull them out! Got told this on a surf trip to the Philippines 20 odd years ago when I got a foot full of urchin spikes walking across a reef. Never believed it until I tried. Not pleasant but works great and within an hour had managed to pull about 30 odd spikes out of my foot and surf the next day.

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subseaos said..
Looked like sea urchin from the pictures. Best way to get them out is to piss on your foot, it seems to get them to come to the surface of your skin enough to pull them out! Got told this on a surf trip to the Philippines 20 odd years ago when I got a foot full of urchin spikes walking across a reef. Never believed it until I tried. Not pleasant but works great and within an hour had managed to pull about 30 odd spikes out of my foot and surf the next day.

Thanks - will remember this for next time. Digging away with needles isn't fun. Just bloody glad I seem to have got them all out now.

Seems like urine is useful for numerous maladies from the sea. I recall an episode of Friends where someone has to pee on Monica because she's been stung by something.

Or you can just leave it in there and hobble around until it festers... Then a quick squeeze and it will come up with all the goop around it.

Had that happen to one in the arch of my foot a few years ago. No amount of trying was going to get that spike out so had to just leave it. Could barely walk for two weeks then looked at the festering mess and squeezed. Had a centimeter long spike come straight out with all the pus and stuff. Was right as rain the next morning...

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subseaos said..
Looked like sea urchin from the pictures. Best way to get them out is to piss on your foot, it seems to get them to come to the surface of your skin enough to pull them out! Got told this on a surf trip to the Philippines 20 odd years ago when I got a foot full of urchin spikes walking across a reef. Never believed it until I tried. Not pleasant but works great and within an hour had managed to pull about 30 odd spikes out of my foot and surf the next day.

Works even better if your mate piss's on your foot Seriously though for the deep ones just soak your foot in vinegar it dissolves the spines.

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normster said..
...also reduce top of feet exposure to sun - im getting old

Hey @normster or others,
As I normally launch from a dock or maybe a boat, I'm not too worried about kicking rocks. I only wear footwear to protect my feet from the sun but I find wetsuit booties often too hot. Anyone have a good lead on sun protection footwear that won't slip around too much on the board?

Reef boots work fine for hot weather protection. They're particularly good when the sand is burning hot.

These are my current favourites. needessentials.com/collections/accessories/products/1-5mm-boot

Sea urchin spines will go through any kind of surf boot, but they're better than bare feet.

PS The south end of Hampton beach is in a wind shadow. The best wind is further out past the no boating signs. It's better to stay further out to get better wind and to avoid annoying the life saving club.