Surfing in boardshorts or a swimsuit is probably one of the most enjoyable sensations there is and can be summed up in one word: freedom. Finally freed from the weight of your wetsuit and the inconvenience of the cold, making your duck has never been so pleasant. But have you thought about protecting yourself from the sun's rays while you surf?


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Understanding the risks : what are the dangers of the sun?


Beyond half hour of exposure, the sun can become a real problem for the surfer, whether in the water or on the beach waiting for the waves.


1/ The sun's rays contain UV


Ultraviolet radiation is completely invisible to the human eye and does not feel hot. We are exposed without realizing it.



2/ There are two types of ultraviolet radiation:


UVA, WHICH PENETRATES DEEP INTO THE SKIN AND ACCELERATES ITS AGING. THIS INCREASES THE APPEARANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF WRINKLES AND DARK SPOTS.



UVB, WHICH ACT AT THE LEVEL OF THE EPIDERMIS BY STIMULATING THE PRODUCTION OF MELANIN. THIS IS WHAT GIVES THE BROAD COMPLEXION.



3/ UV causes sunburns 


It is UVA and UVB rays that, in too high a dose, cause sunburns and, ultimately, can cause irreversible damage to health. Even tanned, we must continue to protect ourselves, even if we are not all equal in the face of the sun. 


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Did you know: a surfer is more exposed than anything else 


In hot weather, the main burning factor comes from the fact that with the freshness of the water, surfers tend to prolong their surfing sessions, and are therefore not warned against sunburn.So how do you effectively protect yourself from the sun during a surf session lasting more than an hour?

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1 / Avoid exposing yourself between 12pm and 4pm


UV intensity is linked to the time of exposure and not to the heat felt. When the sun is at its highest, UV rays are the most dangerous. To limit the risks, avoid exposing yourself between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.



2 / Use water resistance sunscreen 


Sunscreen is an essential filter against the sun's rays. To limit the risks, it should be applied carefully every two hours . However, it is difficult to judge whether we have spread the sunscreen well over all the areas of our body exposed to the sun and to get out of the water to renew it when the surf conditions are right.



3 / Surf covered 


Covering yourself with clothing is therefore the best way to limit the risks associated with the sun when you surf. Our anti-UV tops offer permanent and long-lasting protection , from one to 3 hours of session depending on the models chosen. The other advantage of wearing an anti-UV top when surfing is that it  limits the risk of irritation with the friction of the torso on the wax  and the unpleasant mixture of sand / sunscreen.

Of course, if you choose a short-sleeved UV top , you'll need to put sunscreen on your forearms. The ideal outfit for maximum UVA protection:  a long-sleeved anti-UV top ,  leggings  and  a cap or hat .

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