The Surfer's Medical Association:

CONFERENCE

 

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Listed below is information for members and potential members about SMA conferences. - (** Join SMA**) - It includes the basic guidelines, but also discusses the conference fee/donation for each conference. Following that, are SMA sponsored conferences and finally conferences of SMA affiliated organizations. Most of these conferences occur at the same time each year, but you want to contact SMA Central if you are looking at the last years announcement.  We are always on the lookout for members and others, who would like to organize a conference or trip.

It is very important that you sign up early, especially for the Tavarua Conference, as a non SMA third party handles the details of the trip and can place non SMA members on the trip if we do not fill the slots.

Go to

Galapagos Conference - Maldives Conference - Tavarua Conference

SMA Conference Guidelines:

The conference attendees must be members of the SMA. These members can bring wives, husbands, boy/girlfriends, or children if space permits. Any non-member who wants to go to the conference solo will have to join the SMA first. Membership applications can be printed out from the website (www.surfersmedicalassociation.org). (**Join SMA**)

There should be a real "conference component". The conference material is wide open. We generally plan on a short presentation from each attendee. Subjects can range from strict medical presentations to esoteric presentations to case histories (good for non-medical attendees). The sky is the limit. You may decide on some theme around which the presentations should be geared. The conference organizer or program chairperson will contact you about getting a topic, abstract and a CV for the presentation and conference program.

The conference should be advertised to the membership if possible so that the conference becomes available to our entire membership. This not only gives all members a shot, but it gives you the optimum chances for filling all the conference slots. Some conferences are predictable in their time frame (Tavarua, Biarritz) while others may be offered every several years. (Nicaragua, Mentawais)

The SMA asks that attendees be charged a conference fee/donation over and above the actual costs of the conference and in the advertisement this fee/donation should be listed seperately as the conference fee/donation. This fee/donation goes into the SMA general fund to help cover the SMA's operating costs and some conference costs. Conference fees/donations are a main financial support of our association. Our membership fees do not begin to cover the SMA's expenses. The amount of the conference fee/donation is flexible. The standard fee/donation is $250-$350, but for some conferences this is prohibitive. These figures are flexible. Every conference is different and what will work for some will not work for others.

If you have any other questions please call or email (*Contact Us*)me and I'll give you any help I can.

FEATURED CONFERENCE



Galapagos Islands

March (7-14 days) 2012

 

This is a new conference Dr. Bill Jones (*Contact Us*)

FEATURED CONFERENCE:

When

On March 16-31, 2012, a new SMA Conference venue in the Galapagos Islands will happen. There will be first and second week sessions. I went to the Galapagos last year and it is the trip of a lifetime. When you visit the website listed below you will see the waves, which speak for themselves, and then realize there is a lot more to do and see, it is quite impressive.


COSTS

The costs are coming together and they look like this. Conference Fee: $350.00 for all adults (offspring, no charge one) non refundable if cancelled and no replacement found Airfare R/T SFO or LAX to Guayaquil (GYE) Ecuador via Miami on American Airlines $1,000 to $1200. This will be coordinated with Wavehunters or done on your own. Lodging and Breakfast/lunch for 7 days $1750 to $1900 includes flight to the Galapagos on TAME or Areogal Allot $100-$200 for evening meals (hiring local cook or eating out)


NOT INCLUDED

NOT included is the one night stay in Guayaquil "coming and going" this is around $100.00 per night. It may be a lot less as I negotiate with hotel.


NOT INCLUDED IS THE $100.00 PER PERSON GALAPAGOS PARK FEE.

This looks to be in the $3,200 to $3,500 range. Hit the Wavehunters website for more details and pictures:

  • The Wavehunters Website

    • This will be a full blown SMA conference with emphasis on Eco/Medical and Education. Every one will be expected to do a presentation. There will be a second week scheduled for other SMAer's who want to attend the second week. Daily extensions for first weekers will be at the rate of $175-$195 per day, per person.


    Here is an option to consider, I toured the island on the MV Eden for 4 days and nights and saw several other islands and sights including lava tubes collapsed cones and the Darwin Center. (Get a copy of video/DVD of Master and Commander, with Russell Crowe circa 2005 to see great shots of the islands.) You can also hit the Galapagos website to look at the different boats and prices available.

  • * Boats and Prices Available *

    • CONFERENCE PROCEDURES

    1. Contact me of your interest and sent $350 conference fee. Checks made out to SMA Central.(Email Contact)

    2. I will give you OK to contact our contact person at Wavehunters.

    3. Those not leaving from SFO or LAX check out airfare.


    * More will be following later. *

    BUT MONEY TALKS, SEND YOUR CONFERENCE FEE TODAY. This WILL BE A SELL OUT!

     

    Bill

    MORE DATES

     

     

    Maldives:Indian Ocean

    March 2012 (9 days)

    This is the main gathering of the Australian contingent of the SMA Dr. Harry Gatt: * maldivesmedicalconference@msn.com *

    Openings for 2012 now available.

     

     

    Tavarua( Fiji )

    June 30-July 7 2012 (7 days)

    Yes!!! There are still openings for the Tavarua Conference. Dr. Ethan Wilson is the Conference and Program Director.  Surf Cloudbreak, Restaurants and Tavarua Rights during the day and then sit back and listen to medical and health presentation by legendary SMA members.

    If you have never been to Tavarua, NOW is the time!
    The procedure for signing up is as follows:

    1. Do it NOW.

    2. Contact SMA Central (* Contact Us *) of your interest. Snail mail or use Paypal (* left sidebar* ) to pay $350.00 conference donation/fee, per adult.

    3. Then contact Waterways Travel: 

    Tanja Muller: * tanja@waterwaystravel.com *

    . Dr Bill Jones or Dr. Ethan Wilson (Use Email Contact Form)

    4. The Biggest and Best Waves at Tavarua* Read all about it *, July, 2011