surfing

Rash Vest Buyers Guide

Everyone who has ever worn a wetsuit, or surfed somewhere warm without one, will have felt that burning sensation from your chest, neck or armpits being rubbed raw. It usually means time out of the water and no one wants to miss a good swell for a surf rash that is completely preventable by wearing a rash vest.

What causes surf rash?

There are two kinds of surf rash – wetsuit rash and board (or wax) rash.

Wetsuit rash is caused by a wetsuit, usually a poorly fitting one, rubbing against the skin as your body twists and turns during surfing. Surfers are prone to getting it under the arm pits as they paddle or on the back of the neck from the zip or the back panel neoprene. While the neck and armpits are where it most frequently occurs, you can get it anywhere – behind the knees, naval, the inside of your elbows, anywhere the wetsuit touches your skin.
Where as board rash is caused by the waxed surface of your surfboard (or bodyboard) chaffing your chest and stomach region as you paddle when not wearing a wetsuit, usually in tropical waters.

How do I prevent surf rash?

One of the simplest ways to prevent wetsuit or board rash is to buy a rash vest (sometimes called a rash guard or rashy).

Quiksilver All Time Rash Vest (Moroccan Blue - BSG0) — Quiksilver All Time Rash Vest (Moroccan Blue – BSG0)

Buying a Rash Vest

It’s fairly easy to choose a rash vest as there are only a few different kinds to pick from. The colours may vary wildly but the only thing you need to worry about is whether to go for short sleeve or long sleeve and whether to choose a close-fit or loose-fit.

The first rash vests were short sleeved with a long neck and made with Lycra stitched together with overlocked seams. The problem with an overlocked seam is that the rash vest can only be worn the correct way round, otherwise it may cause even more rash!

Virtually all rash vests now have flat-locked seams which lie flat against your skin and are far more comfortable.

Short Sleeve or Long Sleeve Rash Vests?

Whether you choose a short sleeve or a long sleeve rash vest is entirely down to personal preference. If you suffer from elbow rash (trust me, it’s real) then a long sleeve is the way forward. If it’s just armpits and neck that are taking the brunt of the punishment then a short sleeve will be fine.

Quiksilver All Time Long Sleeve Rash Vest

There has been a fashion for low cut necks on rash vests over the last few years but make sure there is still enough fabric to cover the wetsuit neck. If the rash vest sits lower than the highest point of the wetsuit on your neck, then you will still get a rash.

If you’re lucky enough to be heading to the tropics then a long sleeve rash vest might be more appropriate. The long sleeve will provide excellent sun protection for those just off the plane and you won’t get any unpleasant board (wax) rash. If you like brown arms (and the sharpest, hardest tan lines that it’s possible to get) then head for the short sleeve option.

Close-Fit or Loose-Fit?

The vast majority of rash vests are close-fit. They cling to the skin to provide a reduced friction surface that the wetsuit will easily slide over, minimising wetsuit rash.

Close Fit
If you want a rash vest to be worn underneath a wetsuit but also double as a sun protector as well as preventing board rash then a close-fit rash vest would be ideal.

Loose Fit

Loose-fit rash vests (or surf tee’s) come into their own in the tropics. They prevent board rash and give excellent UV protection (something that a normal t-shirt will not do when it get’s wet) as well as being very comfortable to wear. They also look more like a t-shirt so if you’re not quite sporting that six-pack yet, then no one will know. Loose fit rash vests are not suitable for wearing under a wetsuit. They will bunch up beneath the armpits and be just as painful as wetsuit rash.

Which Rash Vest Should I Buy?

In a nutshell, the short sleeve close-fit rash vest is by far the most popular and will be more than adequate for most surfers. You can use it in the tropics for sun protection when surfing without a wetsuit or when using a wetsuit in colder water.

If you can afford it then buy a close-fit rash vest for wearing with a wetsuit at home and a loose-fit one for the tropics.

Join us for Surf & Cookout Event at Gwithian Beach

Tyson Greenaway

Surf Cookout at The GAS Station,
Gwithian Beach on
Friday 7th July 2017

Cost: £22pp – Pay on arrival (cash or card)

What’s On:

What could be better than having an evening surf session followed by a delicious locally caught fish and seafood paella, cooked fresh, and ready and waiting for you right on the beach?

The Hungry Horsebox Company and Gwithian Academy of Surfing mobile surf unit – The GAS Station are joining forces on 7th July 2017 at Gwithian Beach to offer you an exclusive evening of surfing followed by a sunset cookout with a mouthwatering taste of Espania from top Hungry Horsebox Chef, Ben.

Ben is dedicated to creating fresh local dishes, using the finest quality Cornish ingredients made completely from scratch for those hungry post surf appetites!

What’s included:

Surfboards/wetsuits for the evening surf session.
Cutlery and plates for the delicious post surf food.

You provide:

BYOB (your tipple of choice).
Glass/cup for your drink(s).

The Event:

Surf Session – All levels welcome – 5.30pm arrival for a 6-7pm surf.

The Cookout

Starts at 7.30pm: Cornish Paella; Fresh locally caught shellfish, monkfish, chicken & chorizo – all served with a fresh, healthy salad.

*Some seating will be provided, however, in true beach style we recommend bringing a blanket/cushion /chair along with you on the evening – a torch may come in handy too.

The whole event will be outside so please dress for the weather and bring some warm clothes with you.

Places are limited so book now, click here

**Please note this event will be weather dependent**

See you down on the beach!

5 Reasons to Love a Surf & Camping Holiday

Tyson Greenaway

Surfing is synonymous with freedom. Iconic films like ‘Endless Summer’ cemented this carefree lifestyle and now you can have some of that.

We bring you the best surfing and camping holiday you will find in Cornwall this year. Based in stunning St Ives Bay, Gwithian Academy of Surfing has teamed up with Prosper House Camping to give you an exclusive holiday offer. Book 6 surf lessons with 7 nights camping from just £159 per person.

5 reasons to love surfing and camping

With the campsite just a stone’s throw from an awesome surf beach you couldn’t be better placed to explore St Ives Bay. The three-mile long Gwithian beach offers consistent surf year-round.
Daily 2-hour surf lesson with elite level surf coaches to perfect those surfing manoeuvres or to get you up and riding on your first wave within the first few days.
Ending the day in the village pub, which is next door to the campsite, serves up amazing food and local ale. Great for post surf fuel and a few beers with your mates.
Sleeping under canvas with clear starry nights, salty hair and that post surf buzz you only get from a great day surfing. Stories around the campfire of who had ‘wave of the day’ is what it’s all about.
This special offer includes six, 2-hour surf lessons, all surfboard and wetsuit hire plus 7 nights camping at Prosper House campsite in Gwithian and is available to book from 22^nd July to 31^st August 2017.

Want some of that?

6 x Surf lessons plus 7 x nights camping for one person – £249

6 x Surf lessons plus 7 nights camping for two people – £179 per person

6 x Surf lessons plus 7 nights camping for three or more people – £159 per person

The Campsite

Prosper House Camping is a friendly, family run and authentic campsite in the beautiful village of Gwithian in St Ives Bay. It’s a small campsite with a limited number of pitches, for a quiet, intimate atmosphere. Toilets and a hot shower are provided plus a small amenities area with a fridge freezer for campers use.

The Surf School

Gwithian Academy of Surfing is a well-established surf school with a reputation for providing high-quality surfing tuition for all ages and abilities. The school has worked with all of surfers ranging from beginners on their first lesson right up to elite performance analysis of the British Junior Surfing Squad.

It is a training centre for the Academy of Surfing Instructors and they regularly train Surf Instructors here. They are located just outside the village of Gwithian, by the Rockpool Bar; just a few minutes walk to the surf.

Places are filling quickly and this surfing with camping holiday offer is only available for a limited time. Book now.

Contact Tyson on 01736 757579 or email [email protected]

How to Choose the Right Surf Spot for a Beginner Surfer

Tyson Greenaway

If your hiring some surfboards and wetsuits, or maybe you’ve taken the plunge and bought your own surfboard and wetsuit, then you will be facing a critical question that you will need to answer….

How to Choose the Right Surf Spot for a Beginner Surfer.

There are a few things that you will need to consider before you suit up and run into the surf so here are some tips on how to make the right decision and ensure that your surf session is full of successfully completed rides to the shore and tall tales to be relayed to your mates later on.

Choosing the right location and conditions.

Firstly you need to head to a lifeguarded beach. If there is no lifeguard present at the beach then find one that is, it’s not worth the risk.

Ask for the lifeguard’s recommendations of where the best waves for beginners are. The lifeguard will point you toward the surfing zone of the beach which will be demarcated by the presence of a black and white chequered flag at each end.

The sort of conditions that are ideal for learning to surf are waist-high waves with light winds. At first you will only be going out to waist depth water so if the waves are a bit bigger than waist high it shouldn’t matter too much but if the winds are stronger than 20mph you should consider coming back when the winds are lighter. That’s not to say that it’s impossible when the winds are 20-25mph but it will make it harder. If the winds are stronger than or gusting above 25mph then leave it until the wind has died down.

A lot will depend on the topography of the beach area but as a general rule rocky foreshores are a no-go and a point or bluff will usually have a current running alongside it. Keep an eye out for discoloured water and unusually calm areas of the sea as this might indicate the presence of a rip current. You should avoid rivermouths as well – even small rivers will create a trench where no waves will break and a rip can easily form.

Making sure that you surf in the right conditions now will really improve your experience and make everything so much easier.

If in doubt ask for a lifeguards advice, they will be only too glad to help.

[themedy_columns structure=”50|50″][themedy_col position=”a”]

Surf with a Friend.

Never go surfing alone.

For obvious reasons you are far safer surfing with a friend. Keep an eye on your surfing buddy and also on other surfers. The sea can change very quickly and is totally indifferent to your wellbeing so being aware of yourself and your buddy will keep you both safe.

If you see your buddy or a fellow surfer having difficulty then first, alert the lifeguards and second – as long as you are not endangering yourself – go to their aid.[/themedy_col][themedy_col position=”b”]

[/themedy_col][/themedy_columns]So why alert the lifeguards first? Because its a lot easier to rescue one person than two.

About the lineup – where to go, how to get there, how far out should you go, where are the waves breaking?

So you’re at a safe beach, the conditions are good and you’re itching to get in.

At this point it’s time to take a few moments and look at the line-up. Make a mental note of where the waves are breaking, how often and how far out. For your first couple of surfs you should only be walking out to your waist depth but it’s still worth surveying the line up to leave nothing to chance.

Which wave to go for?

If you have consulted the lifeguard, surveyed the conditions carefully for ten minutes or so and are comfortable with the conditions then you are ready to put your leash on and head into the water.

At this stage any whitewater wave that is breaking in your waist depth of water will be absolutely fine. Literally any of them – don’t overthink it, just go!

The key thing is not to go beyond your depth and, when not standing on your surfboard, always remain with your feet in contact with the seabed.

After your surf?

So you’ve had a good surf and caught loads of waves… well done.

Afterwards make a few mental notes about the conditions. Which type of wave was powerful, which was too weak to surf on, why did some waves double up and other fizzle out to nothing? Use these mental notes to help you choose good waves in the future.

Then do it all again for your next surf.

How to Catch a Wave – the double paddle finish

Tyson Greenaway

When it comes to catching waves and explaining the technique clearly then we have to tip our hats to Rob Case. Here he provides an excellent tutorial using Nat Young in a World Surfing League heat as an example.

This is well worth 10 minutes of your time. He breaks the technique down clearly as well as providing some excellent pointers on how to improve your paddling technique, speed and power.

These surfboard paddling techniques should form part of any surfer’s arsenal and can be easily applied to your surfing whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced surfer.

[themedy_media type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iynJTbudlI”]

Pretty good huh?

I just have one little tip that you could add to those that you’ve already seen and that’s the ‘double paddle‘. You can see Nat Young starts paddling in the wave using the standard front crawl – one arm then the other arm, then the first arm and so on.

As he reaches his top speed he switches into a double arm paddle – more like the ‘butterfly’ in swimming terms – both arms at the same time.

There are a couple of reasons for this. The front crawl alternate arm technique is great for quick acceleration and getting your surfboard up to maximum speed.

It’s drawback is that it’s not particularly stable. Think of all those forces being created as you fling your arms forward in alternate strokes.

The double arm paddle is great for those last few strokes as it’s more stable, super powerful (both arms at once so double the power) and great for maintaining that momentum that you have worked so hard for.

It also has another benefit in that as you withdraw your arms from the water at the back end of the stroke they are both in line and ready to be put on the surfboard deck for you to pop up.

You won’t need to use this double paddle technique for every wave that you attempt to catch but if you find yourself paddling for waves and not quite able to ‘get over the ledge’ then it will definitely help.

So why don’t you double paddle all the time?

I’m glad you asked.

Because you are fitting two strokes in the place of one it’s tiring and while it’s a great technique for maintaining momentum it’s not so efficient for gaining speed in the first place.

Try this technique next time you go surfing and let us know how you get on in the comments box below.

Rash Vest Buyers Guide

What causes surf rash?

How do I prevent surf rash?

Buying a Rash Vest

Short Sleeve or Long Sleeve Rash Vests?

Close-Fit or Loose-Fit?

Which Rash Vest Should I Buy?

Join us for Surf & Cookout Event at Gwithian Beach