What works and what doesn't work? Info please.

And have you used the cheaper eBay version of Future fins? Do they work? Did they explode? More info please.

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I was right.

Had a friend who wore a baseball cap with a shoelace tied to the hat adjustment strap (on the back of the hat) and a roach/alligator clip tied to the other end of the shoelace. He clipped that onto his t-shirt. Old school, but it worked and it was cheap (unlike most surf shop stuff). Stylish AND functional. (He never lost a hat.)

I had small success with a straw hat (demoted from yard work) but only really worked on small longboard days. The chin string was sufficient to keep it from getting lost. Have a friend who uses a tennis visor that ends up around the neck (usually) instead of floating away. YMMV.

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add a signature since I'm here in profile anyway

I did the ball cap, but I paddle kinda flat and it cut my vision down too much. That, and my ears seem to be some focal point for solar radiation.

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I was right.

I use Dakine Indo Surf Hat. I really like it.

Coincidently I have MOHS surgery scheduled for today on top of my scalp. Squamous. Very small though.

It turns out my mountain bike helmet has a square on top of it that is full sun so the top of my head was exposed for the past 4 years. The squamous is right where that square sun spot is. I have since put tape on the hole on top of the helmet.

Coincidently I have MOHS surgery scheduled for today on top of my scalp. Squamous. Very small though.

That's was my issue. My head is getting burned, even though I have hair. We need to check the ozone layer again.

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I was right.

I use a Shelta hat, its expensive but it works very well. I'm bald so no amount of sunscreen is going to stop me from looking like a ripe zit after a session.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

I have some really old long-sleeve, white rash guards with a lycra "squid lid" hood built-in. The hood has a small, black visor over the eyes.

It's great for lightweight upper-body + noggin sun protection if you get the right size, but your face will get that Eskimo tan for sure.

On mine, unfortunately, the hoods were a bit loose. They flopped over my eyes at inconvenient times, and I've never liked how any kind of ear covering distorts my perception of sound.

There's a modern version of one with ear holes by O'Neill for $59 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/ONeill-...eeve/dp/B01M9JGR18/ref



Bonus: Has a zippered pocket on the back:


Edited: 07/01/2025 at 10:12 AM by CurtisEflush

My arm's "small" squamous cell cancer left inch-long scar.

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wavewatcher - >ww - >wavewatcher, again

The FCS bucket at ron jons works for me, I added a piece of velcro to hold up the bill when paddling.

I have the O'neill hoodie and it tried to drown me several times on a medium size day. I definitely get what you are saying.

FCS and Dakine sound like winners. I'll check them out. Did you buy them small or do they fit comfortably like a ball cap?

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I was right.

I bought the dakine indo surf hat on amazon. get the one that has a back flap to block the sun off the back of your neck. I feel naked without it now when surfing.
Took a few times to get use to it but now I love it. Helps with duck dives as it helps keep the water out of your eyes and ears. But, can be a pain in bigger surf and duck dives.

I've got 5 staples on top of my skull now after the Mohs surgery. Not recommended. Protect your skin from the sun.

Sunday Afternoons Offshore Water Hat
Been wearing one for over 15 years, no issues at all other than losing one to a friend. Unfortunately, very hard to find now. Last one I had to buy off eBay in Australia.
Has a soft chin strap and plastic buckle, can duck dive with it, have never lost it.

I used my surf hat once on a 6 foot day at picnic tables, and it nearly killed me. It restricted my oxygen somehow and I could barely breath with it on my head.

Sunday Afternoons no longer has a hat with a proper strap system to keep it in place.

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wavewatcher - >ww - >wavewatcher, again

I'm going to try one and skip it on the big days. If we ever get a big day again.

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I was right.

A fake skinhead wig might do the job: blocks the sun, looks natural on half of us geezers, and should stay in place if you get the right size and quality. I assume cheaper than a surf-brand hat as well.

LOL. A head condom.

No! not condom.....cone head....you fool! We're from France.
now, about that skin protection. Specifically: head gear that will handle. going hrough waves.
As stated above, many things tried. I tried the da kine thang and noticed: it's tiny. Very little sun coverage.The only advantage over a dollar store Gilligan hat is a small rigid brim over your face on an otherwise.boring overpriced hat
So I took a larger boonie style hat and rigid-fied with some silicone type reinforcements around the front of the brim.....mehh...better.
The idea of a thin rash guard with a light hood with a tight face fit sounds cool. I know there'sultra lightweight sponge foam visors easily firmly leash. Toss it aside, ride wave, adjust hat

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spindrift

A cone shaped swim cap would speed up duck dives.

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I was right.