Surfing is a sport that can be practiced all year round. If bathing suits and sunscreen are sufficient for swimming in the summer, the story is a little different in the colder part of the year. For water sports, there are many clothes made of different materials, which are intended for different purposes of use.
DRYSUIT OR WATERPROOF CLOTHING
The very name "drysuit" says it all, it's about clothes that keep you dry . They are designed to have latex seals at the neck, wrists and ankles to prevent water ingress in the event of a fall. They are slightly loose, which allows more flexibility during sports, and you can wear other clothes underneath. Waterproof clothing is available in one piece, from head to toe, or as a jacket and pants separately. The one-piece waterproof suit is 100% waterproof, which will keep you dry, regardless of the outdoor conditions. It is suitable for longer surfing adventures, rainy weather, splashing in cold water and in extreme conditions, its only weakness is the impractical undressing when you have to go to the toilet. Multi-piece wetsuits are much more practical to wear, but do not provide as reliable waterproofing as one-piece suits, and are suitable for everyday swimming.
WETSUIT OR NEOPRENE CLOTHING
"Wetusit" clothes are designed to get wet and also perform better when wet . In the case of neoprene clothing, when it comes into contact with water, small water pockets are created under the clothing that keep you warm. Therefore, neoprene clothing is more suitable for activities where you are in constant contact with water, for example, sup surfing, rapids, surfing or just when you know that you will be falling into the water a lot. In addition to impractical clothing, the other disadvantages of a neoprene suit for daily surfing are that it quickly gets hot when dry and that it does not protect against the wind. In short, neoprene is an excellent choice if you go diving in conditions where you know you will be falling into the water. Due to the large number of competitors, NRS made neoprene clothing just for them. This neoprene is thinner than normal and therefore less hot in the dry (which is basically the goal of every winter swimmer). It also has a thinner UV material under the armpit, which allows the skin to breathe and sweat. Of course, it performs worse in water. It prevents the shock well when falling into icy water and is therefore sufficient for competitors. However, it is not suitable for kitesurfers and others who are in constant contact with water. Most often, a longjohn dress is combined with a cardigan or long t-shirt. For those of you who get dressed later in the spring, just a short t-shirt can be enough.
UV PROTECTIVE SHIRTS
When surfing, you are very exposed to the sun's rays, so sunscreen and a protective shirt will not be superfluous. In protective shirts , the most common factor is UPF or protection factor against ultraviolet rays. This shows how much UV radiation the material allows to reach the skin. Factors between 30 and 49 are considered good and sufficient UPF protection, while UPF 50+ is considered exceptional . UPF protection in clothing is provided by various components, most often the clothing is surrounded by chemical protection or paint. In addition, the color is also important, because dark and vivid colors repel UV rays from the skin and absorb them better, so they represent better protection. Even thicker woven clothes, e.g. wool, canvas or synthetic fibers provide better protection from the sun, as it is harder for radiation to penetrate. Every surfer should have a UV protective shirt, because you are constantly exposed to radiation and sun rays on the board, and classic cotton clothes do not provide good enough protection.
