Hey Zuz, I’m confused: Can I surf on my period?

This is definitely TMI, but when I used to do Karate Kyokushinkai, and I was not yet into tampons and birth control to lessen my flows, I bled straight through my karate-gi during a practice. Fun.

Therefore, I am absolutely not surprised if a beginner surfer has a genuine surfing + period-related question. Also, how perfect is this scene from “Carrie” to illustrate our point? I, of course, surf on my period.

😵‍💫 hey zuz, i’m confused

I’m a brand-new surfer, and I realize this may be a stupid question, but can you surf when you’re on your period? Any reasons not to? Like, you know, is it safe with the sharks about, or maybe just frowned upon?

🥰 dear reader

It’s a tough one. You go out surfing and there are sharks. You stay on land and there are… bears. You just can’t win as a girl on a period. Just kidding. Forget about the sharks for now.

Let’s talk logistics. You know your body. You know how it reacts when you’re menstruating and also happen to be performing vigorous exercise. If you’ve ever gone swimming on your period, you know it can be done. Tampons and menstrual cups, such as the Diva Cup, are your best friends for any water sports. Good period underwear that holds a few tampons’ worth of blood also works. Whatever makes you most comfortable, and whatever is most practical. For instance, period underwear under a bikini may not be the best idea. Or a rental wetsuit. Just in case you have a little accident—you will feel bad.

Some good news: cold water is actually your friend. It can slow the flow. And guess what? Women have surfed competitions and big waves—and in ancient Hawai’i and in the ’50s—on their periods.

Now, it’s not only about the flow, though, right? It’s also about how you feel. Some women say they feel better and more assertive when surfing on their period. Others feel more fatigued or cautious. Bodies fluctuate. Surfing doesn’t override that. If you feel good—surf. If you feel terrible—don’t.

Finally, sharks. The truth is less dramatic than surf folklore suggests. Research indicates sharks respond far more strongly to fish blood than human blood. Menstrual blood is also mixed with tissue and mucus (come on, it’s only human)—it’s not an open wound gushing into the lineup.

Is any blood in the ocean technically “zero risk”? No. But surfing itself isn’t zero risk either. Neither is paddling out at dawn, after heavy rain, wearing shiny jewelry, or thrashing like a wounded seal.

Don’t let something as natural as a period stop you from doing the thing you love.

Author: The Wipeout Weekly team