Surfing - Cold Water to Warm Water TransitionSurfing –Cold Water to Warm Water Transition

My wife and I have been on a vacation at Sayulita (a 45 minute drive north of Puerto Vallarta) for the last week. And every time I go from surfing the cold water of San Francisco to the warm water of some foreign land,I always feel pretty beat-up from the transition. It’s not the waves that kick my ass but the sun blasting down on my body,the hours in the water,surfing without a wetsuit,etc. So I’ve prepared this list of ‘things’for the next warm water surf trip –mostly so I don’t forget something next time.

1. Some good sunblock. Everybody has their own favorite sunblock for surfing in the tropics. Bullfrog,Banana Boat and Coppertone are a few. Banana Boat seems to be available everywhere there’s warm water surf and I usually carry various Banana Boat SPFs in my bag. But my major complaint is that it never stays on over an hour. And since I’m pasty white,I usually get burnt even with liberal use of Banana Boat. The best sunblock that I’ve found (and have had some “pro”surfers acknowledge) is Shiseido sunblock.  It’s expensive but it works. And it can be bought in a deodorant like stick that can be stuffed in a pocket while surfing.
2. A short-sleeve and long-sleeve rashguard. If you’re over the age of 18 and have some chest hairs,those hairs will stick to warm water wax and get torn out. Unless you’re into sado-masochism of having your chest hairs ripped out every time you stand up on your board,wear a rashguard.
3. A 1mm vest. I wear a vest under by rashguard to help protect my ribs and oh-so-sensitive nipples. Otherwise,I end up digging some craters in my flesh where by bony ribs stick out.
4. A pocket-knife,Band-Aids,Neosporin and some potent local alcohol. You never know when you’ll be cutting sea urchin or coral out of your feet,arms,back,etc. Be a Boy Scout and always be prepared.
5. Reef booties. I prefer to go sans-booties in warm water but when you’re walking across some low tide reef,you’ll be glad you have them on. Just suck up the fact that you look like a ballet dancer and be glad your feet aren’t sliced apart by the reef.
6. A surf cap. If you’re a bit older (Budweiser),lack some hair on the old noggin and plan on surfing a lot of hours,then a hat can save you from some painful sunburn on the top of your head. And you won’t have to explain your peeling head to co-workers a week later (do you need Head and Shoulders buddy?!?).
7. Ear plugs. From decades of surfing in cold water,my ears have some serious growth. Even in warm water,wind blowing across the waves can cause growth.

I’ll add more to the list later….