The summer surf season means more people in the ocean and more opportunities for injuries. A rare type of spinal cord injury has surfaced nearly a half dozen times in the last year. Each case involved a first-time surfer.

It's called surfer's myelopathy. It's the buzz in Waikiki especially since several cases have resulted in permanent paralysis.

Waikiki is a haven for first-time surfers but the mix of newcomers in a small area can be dangerous but the spinal injuries that have surfaced have little to do with novice surfers standing up.

"That arch yeah when you're laying on your board, always keeping your head up looking towards the waves," said surf instructor Willie Grace.

Doctors say that arch or hyperextension of the spine while lying in the prone position can cut off oxygen and blood flow to the spinal cord.

"You have these repeated episodes of not enough oxygenated blood getting to the spinal cord -- then you get damage of that spinal cord," said Dr. Kalani Brady of the University of Hawaii School of Medicine.

The damage isn't always obvious or instant. Symptoms include weakness, back pain and partial paralysis. Mike Natividad learned about the issue last March.

"Him and his fiance came down -- they enjoyed themselves, they walked away, we took pictures together and I found out he was paralyzed," said Natividad.

Joe Guintu remains paralyzed.

"I almost gave up surfing for that -- teaching -- because I felt very bad about this gentleman but he told me it's not my fault," said Natividad.

The latest case surfaced last month.

"19-years-old he took a surfing lesson apparently out here and he's paralyzed," said Natividad.

Instructors are asking why now?

"And it's a good question. I think part of it is the increase in number of surfers -- I think part of it is the intensity with which we watch people," said Dr. Brady. "We need to put it into perspective -- for the hundreds of thousands of people that surf -- this has been described in perhaps a couple of dozen people in 20 years."

But more than enough to make changes.

"I'd like to see all the surf schools as well as the beach boys in Waikiki everyone to know about it," said Lori Saxman of Star Beach Boys.

"Most times if people say their backs are sore -- we perceive it as them not just using their muscles and most people say, I want to continue. But now I'm aware of it it more if you have a sharp pain in your back please go back to the beach and take care of it," added Natividad.

Doctors encourage new surfers to limit their time in the water to 30 minutes and avoid arching your spine.