Surfing Waves

Do rash guards provide any warmth/insulation at all? Just wondering. I saw long sleave rash guards for sale and didn't know why someone would buy a longsleave rawguard unless it gives some warmth.

a little. like hawaii style cold.

People buy longsleeves for sun protection.

they also buy them for rash protection.
They are also used to be seen, in a surf school everyone has one of the same color and in suf comps they are used to differ the contestants.

Bub wrote:Do rash guards provide any warmth/insulation at all? Just wondering. I saw long sleave rash guards for sale and didn't know why someone would buy a longsleave rawguard unless it gives some warmth.

I've felt warmer in a long sleeve one, but it was dark and the sun was hitting it, so that's probably why.

It also provides UV protection..no sunblock, which is nice.

I feel colder wearing just a rash guard than i would be just being bareback. If you want added insulation you need a thermal layering like the oneil thermo.

I'd have to say no.

Mostly for UV/sun protection and rash protection.

Yeah - you need a 1 mil for some warmth. Otherwise, it's just like wearing a wet t-shirt in a cold breeze.

rich r wrote:Yeah - you need a 1 mil for some warmth. Otherwise, it's just like wearing a wet t-shirt in a cold breeze.

There speaks a voice of experience! I know exactly what that feels like :S

Thanks for the info. on the rash guard. I have tons of surfing supplies I need to get. I think rash guard will go low on the priority list for the moment. Most of what I need to buy needs to do with "keeping warm". I think some warm boots is my top priority. When the water temp was around 60 degrees I was semi-warm in my 3/2 full wetsuit (probably would have preferred a 4/3) but my feet were in serious pain from the cold. Hands didn't bother me much.

really i feel warmer with mine on when its cloudy

If you're wearing a wetsuit, it's smart to have a rashguard on underneath.

But your feet are frozen in 60 degree water? Man, I use a 2/3 with 3 mil boots and 4-5 mil gloves in water down to 55.

I don't put boots/gloves on until it gets under 60.

i dont think ive even surfed in 60C water, its like somewhere in the 40's here at the mo

Well a rash guard also helps with chest hair. Not only does it keep the wax from getting in the chest hair but also helps your board not look like a Chia board.

A plain long sleeved rash gaurd isn't going to keep you warm. You would need to get one of the ones that are made of neoprene in 1mm thickness.

They're good to take a bit of the wind off. It also helps with titty rash, not to mention a bit of UV protection. Inside a wetsuit it seems to enhance the warmth, but it could be mental. cheers.

in a related quesiton, how do i avoid getting such gnarly nipple rash when i surf without a rashguard? use less wax? arch my back more?

IDynamite wrote:in a related quesiton, how do i avoid getting such gnarly nipple rash when i surf without a rashguard? use less wax? arch my back more?

Buy some Tough Skin.

I never had the problem on a surfboard.

IDynamite wrote:in a related quesiton, how do i avoid getting such gnarly nipple rash when i surf without a rashguard? use less wax? arch my back more?

Buy a bra? Just kidding. Probably arching your back a bit more and using less wax directly under the chest.

IdRatherBeSurfing wrote:i dont think ive even surfed in 60C water

I dont think anyone has....that's like boiling!

IdRatherBeSurfing wrote:ts like somewhere in the 40's here at the mo

Wow...the UK....40C?....at the end of winter....



( ..somehow i think you meant Farenheight!)