Open water swimming
Sun protection guidelines for those who enjoy outdoor recreation. The following specific tips and advice have been developed with the help of Swim England.
Open water swimming
- Apply a broad-spectrum product with an SPF 30 or higher, paying special attention to your ears, nose, and shoulders, as well as other areas which are prone to burning.
- Get into the habit of applying sunscreen 20 minutes before your swim to ensure it has ‘set’ to avoid it being washed off.
- No sunscreen is truly waterproof only water resistance so it’s best to reapply every 50 minutes of swimming and do so after towelling off thoroughly.
- The more you sweat and are in water, the more sunscreen you’re washing away into the water. For this reason, consider clothing like a rash vest, guard or sun sleeves.
- The sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm so on very hot days, if possible, swim outside of these hours.
- A swim cap will not only help keep you streamlined, if will keep your scalp safe protected!
- The water may feel cooling but be aware of the absence of shade when swimming either at a pool or in the sea. UV rays pass easily through water, so make sure to take regular breaks out of the sun.
- Consider swim goggles that provide UV protection.
- Whilst spectating, do so in a shaded area out of direct sunlight and remember to use wraparound sunglasses to avoid eye damage.
- Remember, sunshine reflects off surfaces, so sun exposure can be more intense near or in water.
- When removing wetsuits, remember to apply plenty of sunscreen to newly exposed areas of skin.
- Select sunscreen without chemicals that harm marine life.
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