For a proper surf suit, this Cynthia Rowley number is slinky and protective, and really well made. However, it’s a high (think ’80s-style) front cut and very revealing back. If that’s the fit you want, it’s the most comfortable suit of the style we’ve found (and those patterns can’t be beat).
Sunscreen
The most important thing in our surf bags is our sunscreen collection. I’ve waxed poetic about my love for Kinfield sunscreen time and time again. I have an allergy to most chemical sunscreens and have long searched for a mineral sunscreen that’s easy to apply and doesn’t leave me looking chalky. I use Kinfield’s waterproof Daily Dew on my face, and Cloud Cover on the parts of my body not covered by a wetsuit. Spurrell doesn’t have the same allergy as me, but has also found herself gravitating toward Kinfield’s reef-safe mineral formulas. But another glowy sweat- and water-resistant option she loves is Supergoop’s body Glowscreen.
If you don’t care for that sheen, Sun Bum makes a highly moisturizing SPF. For an extra layer of protection, I like swiping Sun Bum’s Mineral Stick across my nose, cheeks, and hands before I jump in the water. I usually swipe it across my lips, too, while Spurrell opts for the original lip balm.
Hats
This is one category I’ll admit we’re still figuring out. I’ve tried out a few different kinds of surf hats—this one’s too floppy, that one can’t survive a wipeout—and still haven’t found the porridge that’s just right for me. However, my husband (also surf-obsessed) has been rocking the Dakine Surf Hat all summer. He says it’s really secure, but so comfortable that he forgets he’s wearing it. He just wishes the bill was a bit longer to block out more sun.
One I’ve yet to try but have been eyeing is the Patagonia surf brim hat, because several other students and instructors at the surf school swear by how secure and comfortable it is. If you’re a newbie, you’ll want something like the Dakine or Patagonia cap which is designed to stay put even if you take a few tumbles. Both hats are adjustable (good thing, since both are technically for men, and seem to be a bit larger).
Hair care
Now onto the unexpected but essential products we’ve come to swear by: great, protective hair care items. Right after hopping out of the water following a great morning surf session, and just before plopping onto the sand for a well-deserved afternoon of unwinding, my friends and I break out the leave-in conditioners and Tangle Teezers (a good ole Wet Brush also does the trick). Smelling the guava-rich Ceremonia and the beachy banana Sun Bum is one of my favorite post-surf sensory experiences, and whenever I use the products at home, it transports me right back to the sand.
Accessories
I recently learned the term “après-surf” from the aforementioned brand Atmosea, and now I can’t stop saying it. I’ve been using it as a catch-all for the comfy apparel I like to throw on after a surf—like my Billabong board shorts that, in my opinion, go with everything (leopard print is a neutral, I swear). Another favorite: the classic Patagonia baggie shorts, particularly in this ‘80s shade of teal. Both pairs of shorts are loose, adjustable, and most importantly, comfortable to throw on when you’re wet. After some hair care, a dad cap is essential for locking in moisture and shielding your eyes and face from additional rays while you take that well-deserved nap. When it’s time to head home, you’ll want to throw your wetsuits in a dry bag, and the medium Sea to Summit is our current favorite. For everything else, the Junes mesh tote is a lifesaver—not only because it fits a lot more than you’d expect, but because the sand easily shakes out as you walk.
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More surf essentials we love
I’d be remiss not to mention the SabaSurf wax I’ve been using this summer. It’s super tacky, smells amazing, and is unique in that it works in all water temperatures. For the foamie boards that I surf on, I only need a top coat, but if you’re working with a hard top board, they sell it in bundles so you can get both your base and top together.
One last lifesaver? These Nuun electrolyte tabs. They’re handy for when you’ve been in the “just one last wave” mindset for an hour and the leg cramps start to kick in.
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