During his tenure as President, CEO and Member of the Board of Health Management Associates (HMA), Gary Newsome was recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare and Becker’s 40 Most Powerful People in Healthcare. Now retired, Gary Newsome enjoys staying active through many physical activities, notably stand-up paddle boarding. As a health advocate, Gary is always looking for ways to combine leisure, family time and fitness, and stand-up paddle boarding fits: “It’s something that’s relatively new to everyone, so there’s no embarrassment about working your way through the learning curve,” he said. He further said that paddle boarding “can be very social exercise that might include the entire family, regardless of age or skill level.”
If you try stand-up paddle boarding, remember the following tips for this activity:
– If you are going out alone, inform your friends or family of your plans. Dangerous situations can occur even in areas of calm water where many people can see you.
– Remember that everyone, from novice to expert, falls off the board. Leashing yourself to your paddle board saves you from having constantly to retrieve it and prevents your board from going off unattended and hitting others. Other recommended equipment includes life jackets and helmets when conditions warrant.
– To help prevent skin cancer, wear sunscreen with an SPF factor of 20 or above. Remember that overcast days are equally risky, since the water reflects even what sunlight there is.
– Stay aware of water conditions and the presence of others. Pay attention to rip currents and changes in the water’s direction, which can cause sudden problems. Don’t be embarrassed to ask locals where these trouble spots are.
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