Sun Protection Clothing – Kayaking Comfortably
Being on the water and gliding swan-like in your kayak, you’d be forgiven for wanting to let your skin brown wearing only a swimsuit. As romantic as the image is, the following day, you may be burnt. Painfully so. Did you know that the sun’s rays bounce of the water blitzing your skin? Wearing a hat is a good idea, as is wearing sun protection, but why not take it up a notch by wearing sun protection clothing? Have you heard of it?
- General protective clothing
To an extent, our clothing has always been a form of protection against the sun, even more so in countries near deserts. Some types of clothing are more suitable than others at blocking out those UVBrays. Think of Cotton and Linen; They are breathable and have thread counts strong enough to be a good sunblock while still keeping you comfortable, but they get heavy when wet so they aren’t suitable for kayaking. How quickly would these fabrics dry too? If the weave is really tight, the holes are too small for UV rays to enter, and when it is you, a kayak, water, and the sun, you might be ok. The safest clothing you can choose is designed especially to safeguard your skin.
Enter Sun protection clothing. Designed to be comfortable but with UV protection too.
You know you live in the future that people of the early 20th century thought about when your clothing can be super-powered. The kayaking experience will only be made more enjoyable if you are safe and comfortable. By safe, I am talking about your skin, the most exposed organ you have.
Please make sure, if you are kayaking around coral reefs, the sunscreen you use is coral friendly and is biodegradable. There are several sunscreen brands that produce reef safe sunscreens and it is your responsibility as a kayaker to choose eco friendly sun protection.
UPF, which stands for ‘ultraviolet protection factor’ is made from fabric that has been rated according to how much sun protection it has.
- The Best Clothing for kayaking
Choose clothes that are wind proof and water proof. If you want to get wet, then choose sun protection clothing that’ll dry quickly in the sun. You have long sleeve bodysuits, vests, not too unlike wetsuits, but much softer easily available online and in many department stores. Sun protection clothing is no longer niche. There is Global Warming to prepare for, after all.
Australia has had a pioneering sun protection clothing industry, with many Australians brought up with their clothing being added protection against the sun’s harsh rays. Our advice for anyone attempting kayaking is to be like an Australian by investing in specially designed UPF clothing.