Surfing has seen a noticeable increase in the use of helmets, particularly in challenging waves, a shift highlighted by Australian surf coach Tommy Whitaker, who likened the current scene at Pipeline to a “pack of Skittles” due to the colorful helmets. The trend of head protection has been gaining momentum over the past few years, especially after Oakley introduced its WTR Icon surf helmet during the Olympics at Teahupo’o last summer, signaling a significant cultural shift.
Unlike other board sports such as skateboarding and snowboarding, where helmets have long been standard, surfing has been slow to embrace headgear. For decades, only a handful of surfers, including pioneers like Liam McNamara and Tom Carroll, wore helmets even in the most dangerous conditions. However, this long-standing resistance appears to be changing.
The Olympics played a pivotal role in breaking the stigma around helmets in surfing. With the sport showcased to its largest global audience ever, many elite surfers wore helmets, especially on the formidable west-swell days. As awareness of the risks and consequences of head injuries in the water grows, surfers of all levels, from young beginners to seasoned veterans, are adopting helmets as part of their gear.
The sentiment is echoed by 2024 world champion Caity Simmers, who emphasized the value of added comfort and reassurance that helmets provide. Fellow surfer Griffin Colapinto, who has tested the new Oakley helmet, also predicted greater adoption of helmets among surfers in the near future.
As winter arrives and big waves and shallow reefs dominate spots like Pipeline and Off The Wall, the presence of helmets in the lineup is expected to grow. This marks a significant cultural shift, with safety becoming a priority in the face of the sport’s inherent risks.