Injury Patterns in Water Sports on the Levantine Coast: A Single-Center Study

Introduction The Levantine coast is characterized by environmental and demographic factors—microtidal regime, shifting sandbars, and crowded beaches. These may shape water-sport injury patterns, yet region-specific data are lacking. We described the types, anatomical sites, and sport-specific distribution of injuries along the Levantine coast. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study at a single Levantine coastal emergency department. Injuries from surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing/wing-foiling, swimming/freediving, kayaking, and motorized boards were recorded in real time, including demographics, injury type, body region, and sport. Results A total of 62 patients sustained 66 water-sport injuries (mean age 33.7 ± 11.6 years; 77.4% male). Surfing accounted for most injuries (48.5%), followed by kitesurfing (18.2%), swimming/freediving (15.2%), windsurfing/wing-foiling (10.6%), motorized boards (4.5%), and kayaking (3.0%). Open wounds (37.9%) and blunt trauma (36.4%) predominated; upper (34.8%) and lower limbs (28.8%) were most affected. Surfers had more upper-limb lacerations; kitesurfers, lower-limb injuries. Conclusion Surfing had the highest absolute injury count. Because participation was not measured, incidence and relative risk across sports are unknown. Local conditions (wave behavior, seabed morphology, and coastal crowding) may influence mechanisms, but whether they raise or lower injury rates versus other regions remains uncertain.