46
JUL/AUG 2019
HEALTH|
PERSONAL PROTECTION IS KEY BY DR. OLIVER J. WISCO, DO, FAAD, FACMS
In the summer, the Cascade Lakes, Deschutes River and waterways across the state
seem to personally summon outdoor enthusiasts from around the world to Oregon for
paddling, surfing, boating and swimming. The last statistic I saw was approximately
20,000 additional people enter this area each day for the summer outdoor recreation.
The river surf wave in Bend seems to be a huge draw for surfers from diverse areas of
the world. In watching the river surfers, I’m incredibly impressed with the talent and I’m
equally impressed with the culture of safety that is embedded into this local wave, as
most the surfers wear helmets.
47
FILM|
SURF FILMS BY NEIL KORN
For this year’s Water Issue I bring you four incredible and diverse surf films. I feature “Paradigm Lost” as my
feature film because the movie encompasses the incredible progression of water sports in just the last few
years.
As a physician that has spent a career in the military where personal protection is es-
sential, I appreciate the increased emphasis on safety in outdoor recreation. Having
witnessed the direct benefit of helmets and body armor, it’s hard to imagine doing any
high-risk activity without necessary protective gear. This translates to both injury and dis-
ease that can occur abruptly or from repetitive injury over time. All athletes are intimately
familiar with repetitive musculoskeletal injuries, but most are unfamiliar with the repetitive
injury from chronic sun damage – which I see daily as a dermatologist and skin cancer
specialist. Much like the use of the helmets in extreme sports, the use of sun protection
is increasing, but it’s still not at the level it should be. Many are now realizing that sun-
bathing is a high-risk repetitive injury activity – more of us need to put this knowledge
into practice!
Enjoy the paradise around us but remember to protect yourself and your family from all
forms of significant potential injury. Wear you helmets and remember to use your sun
hats, sunglasses and sunscreen with the rest of your protective gear.
About the Writer: Dr. Wisco is a fellowship-trained melanoma specialist and skin cancer surgeon and is an Assistant
Professor of Dermatology for Oregon Health & Science University. When not at work, he is likely on the trail running
or riding his bike, or out skiing with his family and friends here at home in Bend.
BUY
SELL
CONSIGN
This 2017 release is the quintessential water film. Film producers Kai Lenny and John
DeCesare show a relentless pursuit of the progression of water sports. PL is a Poor Boyz
Production, co-produced with Red Bull Film House. Filmed over three years, in six differ-
ent countries, and featuring some of the biggest names in water sports history including:
John John Florence, Kelly Slater, Ian Walsh, Robby Nash, Laird Hamilton, and Victor Lopez,
just to name a few.
NEVER TOWN
A Patagonia film part surf and part conservation.
OUTDOOR G E A R
& APPAREL
TRUNORTHWEST.COM
THE OUTRIDER
Paradigm Lost includes the highest level of water sports action. Next level footage of
surfing, foil surfing, downwind foiling, kiting, big wave kiting, SUP surfing, windsurfing and
more document the diversity of progression of water sport. As Kai Lenny puts it, “surfing
is not relegated to the shoreline, it’s not just a breaking wave over a reef. It’s anything that
brings you there and truly alive”.
A side splitting look at surf culture and commentary. The film
made by British surfers Jeremy Joyce and Rob Lockyear is a
mockumentary of surf life.
RELENTLESS
This film chronicles a pro surfer’s return to the com-
petition scene after an accident almost took his life.