Sterling Spencer Believes Pro Surfers Are Developing CTE - Stab Mag

Playing (Mostly) Exclusively On Stab Premium: Facing Monsters, Featuring Kerby & Cortney Brown

126 Views

Sterling Spencer Believes Pro Surfers Are Developing CTE

“I think we’re getting tons of concussions from surfing.”

elsewhere // May 29, 2021
Words by Jack Mutschler
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Professional surfer Sterling Spencer recently took to Instagram to address an issue he thinks more surfers should be aware of, check it out below:

* A transcribed message from the Instagram of Sterling Spencer

I believe that pro surfers are developing CTE. I think we’re getting tons of brain injuries, tons of concussions from surfing. Especially if you are an aerialist or a big wave surfer. Water is soft, but when you hit it at 30 mph it is not very soft. We’re seeing more and more depressing in surfing, and we’re seeing some of our legends take their own lives. It’s something we really have to look into because the kids are 10 years old doing flips now. How many brain injuries are they getting and they don’t know it? For about fifteen years, I’ve struggled with my mental health. When I went to my neurologist six weeks ago, he hooked me up to the machine and was like, “Oh wow. Are you a football player or what’s going on?” I was like, I’m as surfer. He said, you’ve had brain injuries for a while now. I never really hit my head until a year ago. If I’m getting brain injuries, there’s guys doing a lot bigger airs and surfing a lot bigger waves than me. I feel like it’s something that hasn’t really been brought to light. I think it’s something we all need to look into for serious. 

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

What’s The Best Surfboard You’ve Ridden This Year?

Damn the marketing — what actually works?

Jul 27, 2024

DON’T FILM THIS (But Pics Are OK)

It's dry July in Tahiti.

Jul 26, 2024

Did ‘Team USA Surfing’ Just Win Best Dressed At the Olympics Before It’s Even Started?

With no Mongolians present in Tahiti, Team USA and Oakley are gunning for Most Fitted.…

Jul 26, 2024

Ferrari Boyz: Benny Howard

"I apprenticed as a carpenter, did brickie labouring, dish-pigging, filled up gas tanks, then got…

Jul 26, 2024

Jack Robinson Isn’t (Really) Injured, Police Say ‘No Surfing’, A Chinese Star Emerges

Our first dispatch from the 2024 Olympic Games in Tahiti.

Jul 25, 2024

The Latest Item In Coco Ho’s Ever-Expanding Design Portfolio: A Timepiece With Swatch

She possesses that rare ability to touch things and turn 'em to gold. 

Jul 25, 2024

The Hog Makes His Olympic Predictions

After a night spent vigorously cross-examining athlete data, Hedgy produced these BOAG picks.

Jul 25, 2024

2024 Stab Surfer Of The Year MYC (Mid-Year Check-in)

Who's made the biggest footwell in surf culture, thus far, in the Year of the…

Jul 25, 2024

Are Bronze Medalists Really Happier Than Silver?

Owen 'Bronze God' Wright demystifies the 2024 surfing Olympics.

Jul 24, 2024

‘Desensitised’ Chronicles Kipp Caddy’s Journey To The ‘Wave Of A Lifetime’ In Mind Melting 8K 

“I think crew get a bit too beaten up on the whole tow vs paddle…

Jul 24, 2024

Long Read: How Surfing The World’s Most Dangerous Slabs Saved Kerby Brown’s Life

"There is big wave surfing, and then there is what Kerby does." - Kai Lenny

Jul 24, 2024

Who Nathan Florence Is Betting On For Olympic Gold

Become a better better with our 2023 SSOTY.

Jul 23, 2024

Kai McKenzie Attacked By Shark In Port Macquarie

The young freesurfer sustained a life-threatening injury to his right leg.

Jul 23, 2024

Op-ed: PSA From The Photog World — Know Your Fucking Limits

Nate Lawrence, Chris Bryan, Dom Mosqueira, Morgan Maassen and more chime in on the recent…

Jul 22, 2024

Unlocked: Oxbow’s Children Of Teahupo’o

10,000 miles from Paris, here's a portrait of surfing's 'Olympic Village.'

Jul 22, 2024

Dimitri Poulos Is Reinvigorated After Losing His Taurine-Caffeine Sponsor

Now the 21-year-old ‘comp guy’ from Ventura threatens a Dane-esque pivot to freesurfing.

Jul 22, 2024

Empty Set: When Is It Ok To Bail Your Board?

The Florences and Mark Healey dissect the razor-thin line between cowardice and common sense

Jul 21, 2024

A (Non) Objective Look At The Best Backside Barrel Riders In History

Who has the best pigdog in the pen?

Jul 21, 2024
Advertisement