Water and sun protection

Kevinthestewart · Since 13 Jun 2014 7 Posts Kook

I am new to kiteboarding. And I have got to the point where I am staying up wind and riding aggressively in the chop. Problem is I find myself out in the water for way to long. I get sun burned and my eyes get sprayed with water non stop. Any good reccomedations on protection?

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

I wear sunglasses with croakies under a helmet with a bill. I still have to reapply sunscreen to my nose and cheeks if I'm out more than 2 hours, but I don't have sunscreen running down into my eyes and spray isn't a problem either. The only con to glasses is when they fog up from crashing in extra cold water like the coast. It goes away after 2 minutes and I just let them dangle until they warm back up. I dislike hooded wetsuits too and the helmet keeps on my neoprene beanie from Promotion.

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

I wear a pair of these. They were cheaper when I got them, they may be getting more popular. They work great and really help with spray going into the eyes

http://www.maelstormgear.com/goods.php?id=50

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

I'm pretty much bald, so wearing a helmet serves dual purpose of sun and impact protection. Then polarized sunglasses with croakies. Then zinc-based sunscreen, lots of it. Yeah, I look kooky, but I also just had a pre-cancerous growth burned off my nose, so I don't really care if it looks weird as long as my skin is protected.

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

There are very greasy sun screens available for water sports that won't wash off- aloe gator makes one that is like Vaseline( not their milky looking one). Headhunter is also excellent.

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

Headhunter is great. I also use Badger, but you have to make sure its really rubbed in and double applied.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

I always use a baseball hat and sea specks. The cap really helps when tacking out to sea with the typical afternoon sun. I attach the baseball caps to the back zipper cord so it does get lost.And of course a thick surfer waterproof sun protectant works well too.

Ever try this brand? Razz

Link

Kevinthestewart · Since 13 Jun 2014 7 Posts Kook

Thanks for all the good ideas!! I will for sure be investing into some shades and head hunter an a hat

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

when I had a kid last year I did a lot of research on various lotions, diaper creams....blah blah...anyhow, I did find some interesting info on sunscreens. Obviously you can't believe everything you read on the web but the EWG is pretty well regarded. notice that as you go above spf30 the toxicity increases.

just my 2 cents

[url] http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/search.php?query=sunblock&search_group=everything&&showmore=everything&start=0 [url]

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

yup, EWG puts out good information.

Kevinthestewart · Since 13 Jun 2014 7 Posts Kook

I have heard of mixed reviews as well on sun screens. It seems like 6s. But you never know these days science and technology are moving so fast. Yet the old ways seem to work as well. Yet 200 years ago men on avg lived to 40 but they also worked until they dropped. And people died from
The common flu frequently. People are more educated then ever. Who needs a degree or Harvard when u have u tube the tor and google.

Aeolus · Sun Jun 15, 14 6:06 am

We know it's nice when the sunscreen thread starts up again Razz

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-great-sunscreen-cover-up/
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-10029.html&highlight=sunscreen

Happy summer!

JeffT · Since 07 Jul 2012 238 Posts Deep Southern Portland Stoked

I've been using SolRX waterblock 50 after reading several recommendations on kiteforum. So far it's working out well. No sunburns and no stinging eyes. Fwiw ymmv

camilleB · Since 27 Jun 2014 5 Posts Kook

Well, you really need to have protection. Wear sunglasses and put on sunblock lotion with SPF 15 or SPF 24.