Over the last few years, a number of good products with SPF ratings +50 have been available, and well adopted by the saltwater fly-fishing community. They are quick-dry and well ventilated with mesh underarms and back-flaps. Watch any of the shows such as Spanish Fly or WildFly and you will see these guys well protected from the sun. It seems that some of this gear is now evolving from Form and Function, to Form, Function and Fashion.
In my family, Skin Cancer is a huge issue with my dad and my sister having treatment for it. Like them, I too have spent lots of time in the sun through my life, and at times have been hammered. So far, I have been spared............but I am becoming Extra careful with what I wear in the sun (hat that covers my ears, Water-resistant high SPF cream on face, back of legs etc.)
When fishing, I generally wear my Reef "Rashie" (Rash Vest that surfers wear with SPF 50 rating), and this has always worked well (also multifunctional - as you can grab fins and mask and go for a snorkel, get out of the water and throw a line.). The negative is that they are form fitting ( I have a beer boep that I am cultivating, so no 6 pack....mine is a keg) and sometimes become slightly uncomfortable after a few hours in the sun due to sweating in tropical climes, so my next bit of research has been for some of these shirts that protect me from the sun, don't cost the earth and look presentable. ie without multi-coloured panels, loud tackle branding and logos etc.
There are a number of American products available locally, and 1 local manufacturer that I am aware of. As far as possible, I do try and support "local is lekker", so this is not a Product Pitch in any way, rather a quest to validate my purchase.......
The local product is from Senqu, and they have the Saltwater Technical range of clothing. I have purchased one of these shirts (granted - in a cammo print to accomodate the "fashion" aspect mentioned above) and would like to know from other Sealiners who may have used this product what their opinions of it are? It is priced pretty much in the middle of what the imported American shirts cost, so it can be classified as "reasonable".
This thread could also go as far as to explore things like hats, gloves etc.
Cheers, royboy
In my family, Skin Cancer is a huge issue with my dad and my sister having treatment for it. Like them, I too have spent lots of time in the sun through my life, and at times have been hammered. So far, I have been spared............but I am becoming Extra careful with what I wear in the sun (hat that covers my ears, Water-resistant high SPF cream on face, back of legs etc.)
When fishing, I generally wear my Reef "Rashie" (Rash Vest that surfers wear with SPF 50 rating), and this has always worked well (also multifunctional - as you can grab fins and mask and go for a snorkel, get out of the water and throw a line.). The negative is that they are form fitting ( I have a beer boep that I am cultivating, so no 6 pack....mine is a keg) and sometimes become slightly uncomfortable after a few hours in the sun due to sweating in tropical climes, so my next bit of research has been for some of these shirts that protect me from the sun, don't cost the earth and look presentable. ie without multi-coloured panels, loud tackle branding and logos etc.
There are a number of American products available locally, and 1 local manufacturer that I am aware of. As far as possible, I do try and support "local is lekker", so this is not a Product Pitch in any way, rather a quest to validate my purchase.......
The local product is from Senqu, and they have the Saltwater Technical range of clothing. I have purchased one of these shirts (granted - in a cammo print to accomodate the "fashion" aspect mentioned above) and would like to know from other Sealiners who may have used this product what their opinions of it are? It is priced pretty much in the middle of what the imported American shirts cost, so it can be classified as "reasonable".
This thread could also go as far as to explore things like hats, gloves etc.
Cheers, royboy
