What’s A Little Spinal Arthritis When The Waves Are Pumping?

Braiden Maither is a talented surfer who has been altogether cursed with ankylosing spondylitis.

What exactly is ankylosing spondylitis, you ask? It’s a type of arthritis that affects the spine, leaving its host feeling incredibly sore after any type of physical exertion that involves the back.

Like, say, surfing. 

“I always have a Tylenol bottle sitting somewhere in my car to take away a little pain after a long day of surfing,” says Braiden. “Not promoting drug use or pain killers, but I truly have to use it to take the edge off.”

We’re sure that most surfers know exactly what Braiden is talking about. Because realistically, what pill wouldn’t you take for a day of pumping surf?