Surf shirts are commonly known as rashguard (also as lycras or rashie or rash vest), although they can be made from different materials. They are a very common garment among surfers, like wetsuits, for their aid in practicing this sport. Discover why it’s a functional and comfortable technical garment that helps you enjoy yourself while catching waves.
What are rashguards for surfing? And what are they for?
Rashguards for surfing are technical garments specifically designed for outdoor sports and are suitable for both saltwater and dry activities. For this reason, besides surfing, you can use them for other sports like kayaking, stand up paddle or running on the beach.
Want to learn more? At our Surfintrip surf school in Corralejo, we teach you everything you need to enjoy this sport and advise you on everything related to its practice. Now, let’s learn more about the surf shirts!
Quality sun protection while surfing
Rashguards for surfing offer UV protection, though not all are the same. When you buy one, you should pay attention to its UPF, which indicates the fabric’s level of UV ray blockage. A UPF +50 rating is excellent, blocking 98% of UV radiation.
For comfort and skin care, these technical surfing shirts are very interesting. They prevent the need to apply large amounts of sunscreen, avoid the hassle of reapplying it, and are a more eco-friendly solution for the marine environment.
Avoiding sun exposure on the chest, back, and arms is crucial to prevent sunburns which, in addition to being painful, can cause serious health issues such as skin cancer.
Rashguards for surfing in hot weather, more comfortable than wetsuits
Surfing in hot weather is different from surfing in cold areas. It makes sense to seek thermal comfort, and wetsuits are not the most suitable choice for high temperatures. Wearing a swimsuit, board shorts, or the bottom part of a bikini along with a surf rashguard is very comfortable.
Some prefer to use neoprene pants and a surf rashguard. It’s also important to note that the surfing shirt doesn’t have any thermal function, meaning it doesn’t offer any protection against the cold. In fact, wearing a surfing lycra under a wetsuit doesn’t help maintain body heat as it prevents the neoprene from contacting the skin and performing its thermal retention function.
It offers quality sun protection and abrasion protection. Some people prefer to use a basic cotton t-shirt instead of a surf rashguard. In this case, the cotton t-shirt perfectly serves its protective function against abrasions, but doesn’t provide complete UV protection.
Abrasion-protective surfing lycra
One of the great advantages of surfing lycras is their protection against abrasions. The skin is more protected from rubbing against the board wax, sand, saltwater, and abrasion from hard surfaces like the board itself. Thus, the surfing lycra is more than a garment. It’s a protective element to consider when practicing this sport.
Quick-Drying surf rashguard: a helper to enjoy your favorite sport
Another reason many athletes choose surf rashguards is that they are made of a fabric that dries very quickly.
Additionally, when you wash it, it dries immediately. So, you don’t need ti have many different technical shirts. One is enough because it dries quickly, allowing you to use it whenever you want without having to wear it wet or waiting for it to dry.
Style and aesthetics in technical surfing shirts
There are many brands of surf rashguards. For some people, dressing is a way to show their personality, and the variety of designs makes it easy to choose the one you want: colors, prints, sleeve lengths…
If you like catching waves and being protected from the sun and abrasions, this is a way to do it with your style at an affordable price. These garments are more fun and stylish compared to wetsuits, which tend to be more sober and uniform. And you? How do you like to surf? Tell us about it!
