Hey, is it safe to go surfing during a lightning storm?

Question

I have done this before, but have heard many contrasting opinions on this...

Answer 1

NO! You are the highest thing, you will attract lightning strikes.

Answer 2

you should find out the hard way

Answer 3

It's not safe at all, unless if you're prepared to become a superman.

Answer 4

if you are a daredevil, go for it.

Answer 5

yea man. just stick a big antenna on your head and ******* carve the waves!!! n00b!

Answer 6

i think its not safe... water observes the electric power

Answer 7

It's not not safe to do anything outside during a lightning storm.  Even if you don't get struck yourself you are sitting in an elctrcially conductive fluid, so if there is a strike nearby you can get just as electrocuted.

Answer 8

h**l naw...thats Crazy!

Answer 9

I think the dangers of surfing in Lightning is way overated. Lightning does not dispers far over the surface of water so it has to hit very close to you to cause any shock. Furthermore, land is always higher than the sea so chances are it will hit a tree along the beach, or whatever, because it sticks out higher than you.

what is dodgy though, is that a person sitting in the water is probably the highest point in the near area so if lightning does decide to hit close to you, it will hit you, because you stick out of the sea...

When I check theres lightning, I normally stay in the water until it gets really close, or I get to afraid :-), or a big set comes through... In South Africa it's probably safer in the sea than the land (fewer criminals in the sea).