Three Sun Protection Tips Every Surfer Should Know

Staying in optimal shape for surfing is key to a surfer’s longevity in the sport. That’s one of the reasons we started our company and developed our unique surf training video series. But staying in good all around heath is just as important. Good skin care is one such way to stay in good all around health. Even though Summer is coming to an end here in the Northern Hemisphere, protecting yourself from the harmful rays of the sun should be a priority for every surfer, all year round. Skin damage — and skin cancer — are real concerns for surfers.

One of the most important preventative steps you can take is having a skin exam. The American Cancer Society recommends “a skin exam every 3 years between the ages of 20 and 40 and annual exams over the age of 40.”

There are other important preventative steps. Years ago, a friend told me Australians use the phrase “slip, slap, slop” to remember how to protect against the sun’s powerful and potentially damaging rays. It’s an easy phrase to remember:

1. Slip on a shirt. A tee-shirt, jacket, or rash guard makes for a good sunblock when you are in the great outdoors.

2. Slap on a hat. Wearing a hat protects not only your face and forehead from the sun but also the crown of your dome as well.

3. Slop on some sunblock. Experts agree that a sunblock with at least 30 SPF (for UVB protection) is the way to go. Practice wearing it daily, and definitely when you are out in the sun for prolonged periods of time. It’s important to find a sunblock that works for you, won’t irritate your skin, etc. The crew at Surf Stronger loves KiNeSYS Performance Sunscreen. It goes on great, is engineered with the athlete in mind, and really does a great job in extreme conditions. It’s also Paraben, PAPA, preservative, alcohol and oil free.

In addition, try to avoid being out in the sun for prolonged periods of time during the peak hours of the sun’s intensity — namely 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. But if you must be out there — surfing, working out, or just plain cruising, remember to slip, slap, slop, — in the long run, you’ll be stoked you did.

Stay healthy, and see you in the water.