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TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | JULY 2018 7
By Allie Hayser
SURF ESSENTIALS
Happy Summer Y’all! Here’s some tips for packing that bag with sun
and surf essentials:
Board: I’m a huge fan of “any board will do.” For beginners, it is easier
to work on the specifics of the pop up, paddling, and committing to
directions on the wave face with a bigger board. Summers are pretty
low energy out there unless there is a good ole storm rolling through,
so many surfers of all levels find it more fun and groovy to break out
their longboard logs for their surf sessions. But as I said, any board will
do … no excuse to not get out there. Lots of practice and you will be
able to ride that board in your garage.
Fins: I’m in love with riding a single fin. It’s most common on longboards
and is the traditional configuration of the earliest boards and surfing
styles. Lots of stability, faster to paddle because there is less drag, more
control, and slow gentle turns. Twin fins (using only two fins) are great
for more maneuverability without sacrificing speed and are commonly
seen on shortboards or “fish shapes” (still short, but way thicker than
a shortboard). There’s plenty of other fin setups but I’ll leave it with the
most commonly seen setup, “the thruster,” found on all types of boards.
This setup uses three fins which increases reactiveness of movements,
stability, grip on the water surface (traction), and maneuverability.
Wax: Sticky Bumps is my go-to, but there are plenty of other
companies: Mr. Zogs, Mrs. Palmers, Famous, etc. Wax provides traction
for stomach while paddling, feet when popping up and riding, and your
booty when sitting and balancing. These waxes come in a variety of
temperature specifics. You’ll need to buy a base coat bar of wax, a
tropical temperature wax bar (for water above 75°F / 24°C), a wax
comb for reviving previously applied wax and increasing texture/
traction, and finally a “pickle wax remover,” sold online and in surf
shops, that allows you to completely clean off all old dirty wax off your
board. Wax can really weigh down your board as it accumulates over
time.
Leash: It is a must around here to wear a leash in the summertime.
There are too many kids, tourists, and fellow surfers out there to let
your board go willy-nilly to the beach. It’s a hard surface with a sharp
fin. You aren’t a “kook” for using one. There are so many companies
that make leashes, but I prefer Dakine and FCS. It should be at least as
long as your surfboard and some people like it another 1ft longer than
that, allowing you room to wipeout or fall without hitting the board. Too
long of a leash will tangle and aggravate you more than it is worth.
Make sure your board has a leash string too (the shoestring-looking
piece that connects board to leash)!
Sunscreen: We aren’t strangers to the sunburn game. Choosing
the best sunscreen is a personal preference, but I always look for
durability, sun protection, and good ingredients. You don’t want to have
to paddle in every hour to reapply and avoid sunburn, only to have it
wash into your eyes. With the water reflecting the sunlight from the top
of the water, you are getting extra sunshine under your hat. Sunscreen
washes off and so do the chemicals that it is made with.
There are chemical barriers to sun exposure, like oxybenzone,
avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.
According to the EWG (Environmental Working Group), these chemicals
commonly used in sunscreen are endocrine disruptors which can interfere
with hormone and cell signaling systems and lead to developmental,
reproductive, neurological, and immune issues. Oxybenzone is a huge
skin allergen for many people. From an ecological point of view, the
chemicals can cause young coral bleaching and accumulate in our
oceans. I prefer mineral barriers to the sun which include ingredients
like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, physically covering and protecting
your skin. My favorite is Avasol right now, especially the sunscreen
stick which covers your face like clay! Look for coated, non-nano
options with ingredients larger than 150 nanometers, the smaller
nanos can get inside ocean dwelling invertebrates and can “blow up
their cells”(oxidative stress in sunlight). Epic, doomy, but true!
Clothing and UV Protection: Another way to reduce environmental
impacts and future skin cancer scares would be to get some clothing
with UV protection. Companies like Patagonia, Coolibar and REI are
rated with UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and can help you stay
out for your whole surf session. Using a rash guard can protect your
belly and ribs from getting scuffed and rubbed up from the wax on
your board. For the ladies out there, Gbombs, Seea Surf suits, one
pieces, cross backs, etc. are your friends. These are great at keeping
everything in place so you can just get rad, go as hard as you can,
and wipeout without losing your clothing. Plus some are made with
UV protection! Grab a towel or two for changing, sun naps, and drying
off. Thunderstorms come and go so frequently that you could invest in
a dry bag (or your ziplock) so you can stay out there when the rains
come and enjoy the glassiness that follows. Bring chicken salad, water
bottle, PBRs, cheez-its, and whatever else allows you to recoup after a
workout. Lastly, do your part and manifest some summer swell in our
future so the odds are more in our favor. See y’all out there!
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