Quick Answer
If you’re wondering how to protect your skin while surfing, the biggest things that helped me were surf hats, smarter timing, and being more realistic about how much sun exposure surfers actually get.
After years of surfing in Australia and Indonesia — and eventually having basal cell carcinoma removed from my face — I realised sunscreen alone wasn’t enough for the way I surfed.
I still love the feeling of sun and salt water on my skin.
But these days I approach surf sun protection a lot differently than I did in my 20s.
If you surf a lot — especially in Australia or tropical places like Indonesia — protecting your skin matters more than most surfers want to admit.
What works best for me now is:
- surf hats
- avoiding long midday sessions when possible
- broad-brim hats on land
- selective sunscreen use
- paying more attention to reflected sun off the water
I still love the feeling of sun and salt water on my skin.
I’m not someone who wants a complicated skincare routine, layers of clothing, or to surf covered head to toe every session.
But after having basal cell carcinoma removed from the side of my nose, I also can’t pretend I’m invincible anymore.
Jump to Section
- Why Surfers Ignore Sun Protection
- Why Surfing Is Different Than Normal Sun Exposure
- Why Sunscreen Never Worked Well For Me
- The Thing That Changed My Mind
- What I Actually Do Differently Now
- Why Surf Hats Changed More Than I Expected
- Final Thoughts
Surf Culture Never Really Took Sun Protection Seriously
When I first started surfing, nobody really cared much about sun protection.
You wore:
- a bikini
- maybe some zinc on your nose
- a Bintang singlet in Indo after you were already roasted
That was about it.
The surf industry back then didn’t have the same “sun-safe surf fashion” culture that exists now with long sleeves, pretty surf suits, and technical sun gear everywhere.
Most surfers I knew were just sunburnt all the time.
And honestly?
A lot of us wore it almost like a badge of honour.
Especially in Indonesia.
You weren’t paddling back to the boat every hour to reapply sunscreen or sitting under a tree checking UV levels from 10–3.
You were out there for waves.
Completely obsessed.
I’ve done sessions in Indo where I surfed for 6–7 hours straight without really thinking about anything except getting my fill before the tide changed or the wind came up.
When you love surfing that much, sun protection honestly becomes an afterthought.
Why Surfing Is Different Than Normal Sun Exposure
People underestimate how much sun surfers actually get.
It’s not just direct sunlight.
It’s:
- water reflection
- long sessions
- wind
- salt drying your skin out
- tropical UV
- boats
- being in the water during the harshest part of the day
Indonesia was probably where I noticed this most. Long boat days, tropical reflection off the water, and surfing for hours without thinking about reapplying anything can absolutely cook your skin.
👉 If you’re planning a trip there, this guide might help:
How to Score the Best Waves in Lombok
Even if you’re not someone who burns badly anymore, your face usually takes a beating over time.
That’s what happened to me.
When I first started surfing, I burnt pretty badly for the first year or two.
Then my skin adapted a bit, I built up more colour, and I stopped burning as much.
So mentally I almost stopped worrying about it.
But even when your body tans easier…
Your face still cops it.
Especially:
- forehead
- nose
- cheeks
- around the eyes
And once I hit my 40s, I started noticing my skin becoming more sensitive again too.
Sunscreen Never Really Worked Well For Me
This is probably where I’m different from a lot of surf articles online.
I never became someone who loved slathering sunscreen everywhere.
Most of the time I hated it.
Especially surfing.
Regular sunscreen:
- made my board slippery
- made my hands slippery
- washed off anyway
- stung my eyes
- felt greasy in tropical heat
Zinc was even worse for me personally.
Most zincs made my skin itchy, dry, and irritated.
I’ve found one or two brands I can tolerate now, but overall I still don’t love the feeling of it.
And honestly?
I’m a pretty minimalist person.
I don’t wear makeup.
I hate complicated routines.
I barely wear shoes half the time.
I genuinely love the feeling of surfing in a bikini with the sun and salt water on my skin.
That freedom is part of why I love surfing so much.
So for years I basically convinced myself:
👉 sunscreen was “good enough.”
Even though realistically…
I rarely reapplied it.
The Thing That Finally Changed My Mind
I had a spot near the side of my nose biopsied years ago.
It came back as basal cell carcinoma.
At first, I honestly didn’t rush to get it removed.
I tried alternative approaches for a while and left it much longer than I probably should have.
But eventually it started growing again.
And I knew I had to deal with it properly.
The removal ended up being a fairly decent cut with 10 stitches along the side of my nose and cheek area.
It got infected afterwards too, which definitely wasn’t fun.
The scar is still raised and tight now, although thankfully the actual cut healed very cleanly and could have been much worse.
Emotionally though?
I didn’t really go into self-hatred or panic about aging.
I actually have a lot of compassion for my body.
I see wrinkles, scars, and sun damage differently now.
When I see older surfers with weathered skin, part of me honestly thinks:
👉 “you can tell they’ve lived outdoors and had fun.”
You can see the ocean in people sometimes.
And I actually like that.
But at the same time…
I also don’t want another 6cm cut in my face in the future if I can help it.
That changed things for me.
Not fear.
Just awareness.
What I Actually Do Differently Now
I still don’t surf covered head to toe in long sleeves and thick white zinc.
I still love the feeling of the ocean on my skin too much.
But I HAVE become smarter about protecting my face.
This is realistically how I protect my skin while surfing now without turning it into a full-time routine.
- wear broad-brim hats constantly on land
- use surf hats far more often
- avoid harsh midday sun more when possible
- pay attention to reflection off the water
- use selective sunscreen more intentionally
And weirdly…
Surf hats became way more practical than I expected.
🌞 My Realistic Surf Sun Protection Setup
I still keep things pretty simple.
Here’s what I realistically use now:
- A surf hat for long sessions or windy days
- Broad-brim hats on land
- Chemical sunscreen on my face during strong UV days
- More awareness around midday sessions
- Shade when I’m out of the water for long periods
- Surfing earlier or later when possible
Nothing extreme.
Just small things that are easy enough to stick to long term.
Surf Hats Changed More Than I Thought They Would
For years I thought surf hats looked awkward, annoying, or uncomfortable.
And honestly, some of them are.
Especially cheap ones that:
- fall off
- block your vision
- slide backwards while paddling
- feel like a parachute in the wind
But once you actually find one that works properly?
👉 I break down the ones that actually stay on in real surf conditions here:
5 Surf Hats That Actually Stay On When Surfing
You stop thinking about it.
The biggest thing for me wasn’t even surfing.
It was daily life.
Wearing hats all the time stopped me needing sunglasses constantly.
I used to barely walk outside without sunglasses on — even in softer light.
Now I mostly wear hats instead and my eyes feel far less strained.
In the surf, they also:
- stop my forehead frying
- reduce glare
- help during long sessions
- stay on in wind better than normal hats
That last one matters a lot where I live.
Magnetic Island gets incredibly windy sometimes, and even my son wears surf hats constantly now because normal broad-brim hats just blow straight off.
The Reality Most Surfers Probably Know
A lot of surfers still don’t take sun protection seriously until something forces them to.
Because surfing feels free.
Wild.
Natural.
You’re not thinking about skin cancer when perfect waves are rolling through.
You’re thinking about:
- one more wave
- one more hour
- better conditions tomorrow
- not wanting to paddle in
I understand that mentality completely because I lived it myself for years.
And honestly?
Part of me probably still does.
That mindset of pushing through discomfort and ignoring what your body is telling you can show up in surfing in a lot of ways too — not just sun exposure.
👉 I wrote more about that here:
Surfing and the Ego: Why Letting Go is Key to Better Surfing
But these days I try to balance that freedom with a bit more awareness too.
Not perfectly.
Just realistically.
Final Thoughts
I still love the sun.
I still love salt water on my skin.
I still don’t want a 14-step skincare routine or to surf covered head to toe every session.
But I also understand now that years of ocean exposure eventually catch up with you — especially surfing in Australia and Indonesia.
For me, the answer wasn’t becoming obsessive.
It was making small practical changes that actually fit my lifestyle.
Things like:
- surf hats
- smarter timing
- broad-brim hats on land
- protecting my face more consistently
Simple things I can realistically stick to.
Because honestly?
The best sun protection routine is usually the one you’ll actually keep doing.
The older I get, the more I realise surfing long-term is less about going harder every year and more about sustainability — physically and mentally.
❓ FAQ
Do surfers really need sunscreen?
If you surf regularly — especially in Australia or tropical locations — some form of sun protection is important. Water reflection and long sessions increase UV exposure significantly.
Are surf hats worth it?
For long sessions, tropical surf, or windy beach days, absolutely. A good surf hat can reduce glare, help stop forehead burn, and reduce how much sunscreen you need on your face.
Why do surfers still get burnt wearing sunscreen?
Because surfing is different from normal beach exposure. Most surfers don’t reapply often enough, spend hours in reflected UV, and are focused more on waves than sun protection.
Is zinc or sunscreen better for surfing?
It depends on your skin and preference. Some surfers love zinc because it stays on longer, while others find it irritating or uncomfortable. For me personally, lighter chemical sunscreens combined with physical protection like hats works better.
Does surfing age your skin faster?
Long-term UV exposure absolutely impacts skin over time, especially in high UV countries like Australia. Most long-term surfers eventually become more aware of sun protection as they get older.