Should protective headgear be compulsory when surfing?

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“If you enjoy you, you should protect your brain,” that’s the view of surfer Davon Larson, who cut his head on the fin of his surfboard when surfing. That led to Larson inventing a new helmet – in the style of a bucket hat – designed to appeal to the most fashion conscious surfer. He told Sportshour’s Jamie Broughton about his Surf Skull helmet and why he believes it's important helmets should be worn despite the stigma around it. Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the International Surfing Association (ISA) is recommending athletes competing in surfing wear protective headwear when they ride the wave at Teahupo’o in Tahiti. The recommendation comes following consultations with the ISA’s Athletes and Medical Commissions. Image: Australian surfer Owen Wright adjusts his helmet as he competes in the 2019 Tahiti Pro at Teahupo'o, Tahiti, on August 28, 2019. (Photo by Brian Bielmann/AFP via Getty Images)