Why Sunscreen Isn’t Enough for Surfers

I used to think sunscreen was enough... until I realized how often it washed off halfway through a session. The truth is, it just can’t keep up with the ocean.

Why Sunscreen Washes Off So Easily

Even “water-resistant” sunscreens aren’t truly waterproof. According to the FDA, water-resistant formulas are only tested to last 40–80 minutes of continuous water exposure before they start breaking down. Once you’re duck-diving, wiping out, or just paddling for waves, that protection fades fast.

Sweat, wipeouts, and saltwater all speed up the breakdown, which means after an hour in the ocean, your skin is often exposed again without you realizing it.

Surfers Are at Higher Risk of Skin Cancer

Surfers are exposed to more UV radiation than most outdoor athletes because water reflects up to 30% of the sun’s rays back onto your face. That double exposure from above and below makes your face, neck, and ears some of the most sun-damaged spots over time.

Dermatologists estimate that surfers are 120 times more likely to develop skin cancer than non-surfers. It’s not just the midday sessions that add up, it’s every paddle-out, every foggy day, every “just one more wave.”

What a Surf Hat Does That Sunscreen Can’t

You can’t reapply sunscreen mid–paddle-out, and after a few duck dives, it’s mostly gone anyway. That’s where Peach Surf Co surf hats come in — real, physical protection that doesn’t wash off, fade, or distract you while you surf. 

Every hat is designed to do what sunscreen can’t:

• Stay on through wipeouts: built with a secure chin strap and adjustable fit that actually holds, even when the waves don’t.

• Block harsh sun and glare: a structured brim keeps your face shaded and your eyes clear, so you can focus on the waves instead of squinting through them.

• Handle saltwater, not get wrecked by it: lightweight, quick-drying fabrics that won’t stretch, drip, or weigh you down.

• Protect without distraction: soft neoprene lining for comfort, and a shape that moves with you, not against you.

• No reapplying required: once it’s on, you’re covered for the whole session.

Our hats were designed in the lineup and tested through real sessions, real wipeouts, and countless prototypes to make sure they actually work.

Use Sunscreen + a Surf Hat Together

Don't abandon your sunscreen! Sunscreen is still essential but it’s not enough on its own when you spend hours in the water. Pairing sunscreen with reliable physical protection like a surf hat is the best way to prevent long-term sun damage and stay out there longer.

Want to see what that protection looks like?

Check out Peach Surf Co’s surf hats.Tested in real sessions and designed to stay on through wipeouts, block harsh sun, and make long days in the water feel effortless.

Peach is focused on protecting you from the sun so you can focus on the waves 🌊