Rashguards - Protective Gear for Surfing
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by: John V
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Word Count: 537
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 Time: 2:10 AM
Over the years, surfing has evolved from being the passion project of a few members of a notorious counter culture to becoming a sport enjoyed and practiced by people from all demographics and walks of life. You never know who you'll encounter when you paddle out to catch a wave. You might see your 70 year old retired neighbor, your third grade teacher, or a high powered attorney catching some waves before heading to the office. All of these people have one thing in common: they love the sport of surfing.
Because surfing has become accessible to so many people, it's important to have an ongoing conversation about respect for the ocean and safety in the water. From wearing the proper gear like a quality rashguard to knowing how to read the ocean tides, the safety rules associated with surfing are unique to the sport. Let's start with a discussion about the right gear for surfing.
Everyone knows that the key to playing a sport well is to have the right gear. Cleats for soccer, bathing suits and swim caps for swimming, and plaid pants for golf. These things are designed to help you perform your sport better and in some cases, to protect you from injury. Surfing is no exception. Before you hit the waves, you need to stock up on some of the essential items.
Besides your board, the first thing you need to purchase is a quality wetsuit. If you plan on being in the water for long periods of time or any month of the year other than July or August, you will need a full body wetsuit to protect you from hypothermia. There are dozens of different brands, styles, and weights so be sure to consult an expert to find the right one for you.
If you plan to surf in high Northern or low Southern latitudes, you will probably want to stock up on additional cold weather gear. There are boots, gloves, and hoods all custom designed for cold water surfing and all made of wetsuit material.
In order to protect yourself from getting a case of the all too common board rash on your torso, a rash guard is absolutely essential. These short sleeve t-shirts are tight fitting and generally made of a neoprene and nylon mix. Wear your rashguard both with and without a wetsuit. They are a great additional layer of protection from the sun as well.
Surf wax will help give the smooth, slippery surface of your brand new surfboard some grip so that you don't slip right off of it when you stand up on a wave. There are dozens of brands and types - some are better in warmer water and others are designed specifically for cold water surfing. Apply it directly to the surface of your board - anywhere your feet might be should have a healthy layer of wax.
Owning a great rashguard doesn't automatically make you a great surfer. We highly recommend that everyone take a few lessons before hitting the waves on their own. In additional to learning the basic mechanics of surfing, it's also important to know how to read the ocean tides and for everyone to know basic surf etiquette.
About the Author
Surfing is a high impact sport and can result in uncomfortable injuries if you don't protect yourself with the right protective gear like rashguards and some basic safety tips.
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