From the emergency department in Wollongong to annual missions to Indonesia, Sam has built his working life around emergency medicine and finding enough time to surf. Three years after joining the Surfing Doctors, he talks G-Land, life on the road, near drownings, finding balance and why sometimes the only option when a big one swings your way is to put your head down and go
Nationality?
Australian.
Current position?
Emergency registrar at Wollongong Hospital in NSW, Australia.
Education and work experience?
Medical school at Griffith University on the Gold Coast.
Intern, resident and now registrar in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven region of NSW.
Really enjoying where I am currently, so the plan is to stay for the foreseeable future.
Medical interests?
I’m interested in all aspects of medicine, but at the moment I’m training in Emergency Medicine – the variability keeps me excited and I get to develop a really adaptable set of skills. The shift work also allows me a good amount of surf time.
I think I’d like to do some overseas work at some stage, but I’m still working out how I can make that happen.
Local surf spot?
All the local spots around Kiama, NSW.
What is your favourite wave in the world and why?
A little A-frame wedge setup near home – I’ve been surfing it since I started surfing and it never gets old.
Travel experience?
I try to do a couple of trips each year if money and time allows. So far, a couple of trips through Europe, Japan, Fiji, New Zealand, South America and Southeast Asia.
Specifically for surf, I always try to make an annual voyage to Indo. I’ve also been trying to see more of Australia recently. It’s such a big place with so many little gems.
Best surf trip ever?
Honestly, probably the first year I came over for the Surfing Doctors Conference. I’m not sure who originally had the idea, but it ended up being quite a few of us I knew from med school coming over.
I hadn’t seen a lot of them for a while because we’re all scattered up and down the east coast of Australia now. It was awesome learning about the Surfing Doctors and meeting the crew too. It’s cool getting to hang out with people who have the same passions and hearing their stories.
Worst surf trip ever?
Probably a trip through Portugal, Spain and France I did a few years ago. I tore my meniscus in my knee a month or so before going, so was pretty limpy through most of the trip.
Don’t get me wrong, it was still an epic adventure for non-surf-related activities though. I was travelling with my girlfriend, so it ended up probably being a good thing because it took away some of that surf anxiety of chasing waves trying to score.
Best thing about surfing?
Experiencing new places through the lens of surfing. You end up visiting places and meeting people you ordinarily wouldn’t.
Best advice you were ever given with regards to surfing?
Low expectations and don’t take it too seriously – even if I feel like I haven’t gotten anything worthwhile, I still feel better after a surf than before it.
Favourite surfer in the world and why?
Probably Creed McTaggart for style. I also rate Nathan Florence for entertainment factor.
Current go-to surfboards? (make and dims)
I have some Luke Short Designs (LSDs) I’ve been liking lately – a 5’11 shorty and 6’2 step-up.
He’s a shaper from the Yamba area in NSW, but I think based on the Gold Coast now.
Also a 6’8 Dylan Longbottom, which is yet to be christened at G-Land but has gone good around home when it’s big.
Social media handles?
Not a big social media guy, but @damsuffy on Insta.
It has been three years since I saw you last in G-Land. Time flies when you’re surfing. Three years ago, where were you at and where are you at now?
Three years ago I’d just started working as a doctor and joined the Surfing Doctors. I’m still living and working in the same area, definitely feeling a bit more competent at work and still trying to surf whenever I can.
Work has taken over a bit more the last year or so, but I’m starting to find a good balance again.
What have been the best experiences while being involved with the Surfing Doctors?
Just meeting like-minded people and sharing waves. It’s a super welcoming and relaxed group with lots of cool experience.
I haven’t yet done a solo volunteer gig at G-Land outside of the conference period, but I’m keen to do a stint next year.
What was the most challenging experience you have dealt with on the road in terms of medical situations?
Honestly, nothing too bad yet, touch wood. On the road, it’s probably been a few near drownings where I’ve either been on the beach or in the surf nearby.
Getting someone into the beach or over the reef when they’re in trouble is really hard when they’re in panic mode and you’ve got no equipment or backup.
Advice for anyone thinking about joining the Surfing Doctors?
Do it. It’s honestly the highlight of my year when I’ve been in the past. You’ll end up coming back year after year.
Have you had your fair share of barrels these last three years, or has work dominated?
Ahh, a bit of both. I’ve definitely needed to be opportunistic with my surf time. I’ve still managed to get to Indo every year, Fiji earlier this year and a bunch of local trips around Australia.
I’m lucky that I live so close to waves that even if work is getting full-on, I can still usually make time.
Heading back to G-Land this year for the conference?
I’m actually not, which will be my first miss since I signed up three years ago! I went to Fiji earlier in the year and I’m going over to Samoa in November, so I’ve used up all my annual leave.
It’s going to kill me a little bit, but I’m still keen to follow along on the socials and won’t make the same mistake next year.
Any tips for anyone heading to G-Land for the first time?
Surf as much as you can and enjoy. Take a big board, along with a few others, as it’s not uncommon to snap a board or two.
Prepare for the stupid stuff that can take you out. For me in the past, that’s been sunstroke due to frothing out too hard and spending 8+ hours in the sun, and relentless gastro such as that which ran through the camp at the G-Land Conference 2024.
Surfed any wave pools? If so, where and what was it like?
Only once at Sydney URBNSURF. I think it was the day before a comp they were holding there. I was sharing the lineup with a group of super groms and I found it all a bit much.
I can see the appeal, but definitely prefer the ocean.
The set of the day starts marching down the reef from Kongs. It’s big, heavy and coming straight to you. You’re next in line. Your mates are already making plenty of noise, the entry looks sketchy and there’s nowhere to hide. Do you put your head down and go, or suddenly find something very interesting on the horizon? Talk us through it…
Wow, what a scene. Definitely been in that spot before. Head down and go is the only way.
I’d rather get launched having a crack than see a perfect wave reel off without me with my mates watching and then have to hear about it.
All going to plan, stick the late drop into a deep bottom turn before setting up a few turns at the top of the point before shaping up for a hollow section through Money Trees or into Speedies.
In reality, I probably went over the falls and am making the paddle of shame back up the point, but I wouldn’t die wondering.
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