The Impact of Laterality and Prosthesis on Performance Among Para Surfers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate performance differences in competitive adaptive/para surfers with upper and/or lower limb amputations, congenital limb impairments, or dysmelia who surf in the standing position. Methods: This cross-sectional study explored the impact of wave direction; laterality, or surf stance, such as goofy (right foot forward) versus regular (left foot forward); and use of prosthesis on performance using judged wave scores among competitive surfers from 2019 to 2022. Archived records of classified surfers with eligible impairment of limb deficiency were reviewed. Data was divided into surfing profile and surfing performance. Results: Participants (n = 86; male = 64; female = 22) from 22 nations met inclusion criteria. No significant difference was found in wave direction, laterality, or prosthesis use; however, more frontside waves were ridden. Significant differences were found between male (single-wave score 4.62/10; total wave score 9.25/20) versus female surfers (single-wave score 3.44/10; total-wave score 6.82/20) for average single wave score (t(49,490) = 2.989, p = .004, two-tailed; d = .647) or average total wave score (t(48.768) = 2.585, p = .003, two-tailed; d = 0.670). Conclusion: Although limited to sample size, adaptive/para surfing performance may be more influenced by training and skill acquisition than laterality or use of prosthesis.