After debating with
yourself for days (if not weeks or months), you have finally signed up for that
first surf lesson for your upcoming Caribbean vacation. Good job!
As you pack your
suitcase there lay your 4 sets of tiny bikinis, next to your boyfriend's
speedos, and you imagine yourself in your expensive 3 square inches of fabric,
gliding on a surfboard with the rolling waves behind you, and you can already
feel the Instagram success waiting to happen, if you just make sure some
photographer on the beach makes that shot!
But not so fast! (Sound
of tires screeching to a halt)
Sorry to burst your
bubble but let me just give you a better picture of what is really going
to happen on that first surf lesson and what -from personal experience- I recommend you to wear to ensure you have fun,
are comfortable, and don't get injured (I'm not kidding! Sunburn is serious!).
This is not an unusual
dilemma if you have never surfed before, and if you come from a place where the
water is normally VERY cold, then these are valid questions that I am happy to
answer.
Let's start by what
universally works in warm waters. I'll use as reference the warm
waters of my Caribbean paradise in Punta Cana, where the temperature is a
yearly average of 80°F (26.67°C).
ESSENTIALS
Rashguards
In the tropics, the sun is no joke: it burns
you, fast and strong, in cloudy and clear days alike! Rashguards may be
the best invention for surfers since the surfboard!
Rashguards not only prevent belly-rash, caused
rubbing your belly against the board, but also provide excellent sun protection
for your upper body.
 | ||
| Long Sleeve Rashguard |
A quality rashguard should be made of good
material and be at least 50+ SPF (most surf brands carry rashguards that meet
this criteria).
Most surf schools offer rashguards, but make
sure that your school of choice offers them. If they are long sleeved, even
better. That is if you do not want a trucker’s tan, but to each their own!
Wetsuits
THANK GOD
NO!!!! Here in Punta Cana you will not need a wetsuit. While in the water
you might find instructors wearing 1mm or springsuits, only because they are
wet or in the water for most of the day and a wetsuit will offer protection
against getting too cold. But for a 2-hour lesson you will not need a wetsuit
at all.
Leggings
I
personally wear leggings to surf all the time, and for me they are as much an
essential as rashguards. I suggest them for both men and women, and here is
why: they protect your legs from the sun, and if you have sensitive skin, they
prevent you from getting a rash on the front of your thighs when lying down on
the board, or in your inner thighs when sitting on our board with your legs on
both sides.
 |
| Surfer: Saskya Carrasco |
Any lycra
workout leggings will do the job. Avoid cotton material as it absorbs and
retains water.
Keep in
mind that if you surf shortly after shaving your thighs, you will be more prone
to skin irritation. And if the hair in your thighs is relatively long (nothing
against you being hairy) the hair normally gets caught by the wax and is
constantly pulled. That is not pleasant at all...You are welcome. ;)
Hat
If
the skin on your face is sensitive, or you simply want to add additional
protection to your face, wearing a hat is possible. Find a hat or cap that is
specifically designed for surfing, with a short brim (as you need to have enough
visibility to the sides) and should have a tie around your chin that can be
tighten comfortably. The best surfing hats normally have neoprene ties that are
safe, comfortable, durable and are secured with plastic buckles.
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR THE GALS
One-piece swimsuit
If you don't feel like wearing a rashguard since you only have two more days left of your vacation to work on your tan, by all means go ahead, but a one piece suit might stay better in place.
Bikinis
If you
are a bikini kind of gal, I highly recommend that you wear a really tight bottom,
at least one size smaller than what you normally wear, or you will be showing
off more than your surfing skills in the water!
Whichever type of suit you use, I recommend that
it does not tie at the neck. Having a string pulling down your neck while you
are being active, can be a real literal
pain, specially if you are gifted with a large bust.
No knots or accessories on the front of your bikini or swimsuit! Those just get in the way when lying down on the board.
Boardshorts
If you
are modest or simply don’t have a tight bottom, you can always wear boardshorts
(conveniently named, because they are perfect for surfing!) . These are shorts
that stay put, dry quickly and are super comfy!!
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR THE LADS
For men the surfing attire in warm water could not be simpler!
Here are a couple of things I dare to recommend!
Boardshorts
Photo: Punta Cana Surf Adventure
They are
a much better option than swim trunks or speedos, just because the length will
prevent rash, and the wax from pulling out the hair of your legs, OUCH! They
are also stretchy and dry quickly. Today’s technology in boardshorts is simply mind blowing!
Leggings or Compression Briefs
Worn
under the boardshorts. For additional sun protection, rash prevention and
avoiding the very common salt water rash around delicate areas!!
The bottom line is that
these are suggestions, which from experience, will at least help you be
comfortable and concentrate on your surfing, not on your bathing suit being all
over the place, or with your belly burning from a rash.
Wear what works for you
and knowing that no matter what you have on, you will look like an absolute
rockstar once you stand on a surfboard and smile for the camera!
Saskya is the owner of Punta Cana Surf Adventure and can be found eagerly sharing her surfing experience and teaching on Macao Beach, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. She can be reached through her profile on this blog.
Saskya is the owner of Punta Cana Surf Adventure and can be found eagerly sharing her surfing experience and teaching on Macao Beach, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. She can be reached through her profile on this blog.