Tips & Info

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.

Surfboards for Beginners to Intermediates

Tyson Greenaway

When you’re fairly new to the game of surfing choosing that crucial first surfboard can be a bit of a minefield. If you’ve had some lessons, loved it and are happy going out in the sea on your own, the time has come to invest in the hobby that will bring you joy and possibly spirit-crushing frustration in equal measure for a lifetime.

Unlike pretty much any other sport, like tennis, archery which requires a bow case, the gym or even fishing, there are no monthly/yearly fees to pay. All you need for surfing is a surfboard with a leash and a wetsuit (or just a board if you live somewhere with warm water).

The ocean is free to use, year round and the world over, mostly. Plus, it’s a constant challenge and source of fun whatever your surfing ability. That’s the beauty of surfing waves, no two sessions are ever the same!

The question is, which surfboard should you choose? I’ve covered the question of which wetsuit to buy here, but which surfboard is the best one for you to invest that hard earned cash in?

Beginner Level

You are happy in the white wash paddling and catching white water waves and can manage to stand up and surf towards the beach (some of the time).

Vision Ignite EPS Surfboard — Vision Ignite Surfboard

The board for you is a long, wide foam board or a foam board with a slick bottom. When you fall off, which you will do a lot, it won’t hurt you or others around you and it won’t do serious damage unlike a fibreglass board, which hurts a lot. For women between 7’6 to 8ft long boards are recommended. For men then 8ft to 9ft is the way to go. They each should be at least 20” wide, preferably over 22”.

For kids, with youth, flexibility and agility on their side a board somewhere between 6ft and 7’6” long and over 20″ wide is about right.

These foam surfboards are also the most stable for you to practise your pop up in the tumultuous white water. Think of it like standing on a large, wide door or raft rather than a skinny, sinkable lolly stick. And, once you are paddling out past the white water you have progressed up a level. Hooray!

For foam surfboards (softboards) to buy click here.

Beginner – Intermediate Level

You can paddle out past the white water beyond the breakers and sit on your board competently (another learning curve).

You are able to paddle and catch green waves and are starting to trim along the face. The board you should look to buy is a foam top with a slick bottom. These boards have shaped rails for turning ability. Once you are able to turn right and left and start doing top and bottom turns, you have progressed up a level. Hooray!

For foam top, slick bottom surfboards click here.

Intermediate Level

You have no problem paddling out beyond the whitewater in waves up to 3-4ft and can catch green waves, trimming along and going left or right. You can eskimo roll or duck dive the surfboard.

Torq 7'6 Mod Funboard (White/Sand/Blue) — Torq 7’6 Mod Funboard (White/Sand/Blue)

Now you will need a funboard or minimal with shaped rails and hard fins for turning ability and generating speed. Once you are performing linked surfing manoeuvres then you have progressed up a level. Hooray!

For funboards or minimal surfboards click here.

Intermediate – Advanced Level

Going out in 4-5ft or bigger surf is comfortable for you. Duck diving or eskimo rolling your board through or under the white water to get to the breaking waves is no problem. You can go right or left on a green wave. You can perform top and bottom turns and cutbacks.

You can kick out off a wave safely. The board you now need is a performance shortboard or fish. Shorter than beginner boards they range from around 5-6.6ft length. Tapered from nose to tail, shaped rails and with a certain amount of curve or rocker (for getting into hollow waves).

Shapes for these types of surfboard vary enormously and there’s been an explosion of shapes in recent years. Generally speaking, a pintail or swallowtail works well. A board with a good amount of volume to catch smaller waves and a thruster set up (3 fins) for

drive

and speed out of the turns. Some of you may argue with this, given the huge variety out there, but that’s what has always worked for me anyway.

For performance short boards, fins and board accessories click here.

Elite Advanced Level

Once you can start doing airs and all kinds of surfing manoeuvres I know nothing about, then you have surpassed most of us grovel riders out there and arrived at the elite level. Hooray! Time to get that sponsorship deal.

In summary

If you are a beginner or haven’t been surfing long then go for a foamy or foam top, slick bottom board. If you are able to surf green waves and trim along the face go for a foam top, slick bottom board, a minimal or fun board. If you can perform surf manoeuvres like cutbacks and top and bottom turns then go for a shortboard. If you can perform an air, you don’t need my advice!

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]

Wetsuit Buying Guide for UK Surfing

Tyson Greenaway

So, you’ve had a surf lesson, maybe even a few and now you’re hooked. If you intend to keep surfing as much as possible in the UK you’re going to need a wetsuit because even on the hottest days, the water is cold. You might get away with one warmer-than-average-day in summer which allows for a suitless surf. Average water time around 20 minutes before your entire body goes into hypothermic shutdown and your dangly bits, well, hasta la vista!

Don’t go second hand

There are lots of second-hand wetsuits out there on eBay, Gumtree or those sorts of sites, but do you really want a suit that’s past its use-by date, has holes in the seams letting in that ‘oh so cold’ water? AND that someone has probably peed in, even if they say they haven’t? Swimming around in your own wee is bad enough but someone else’s second had urine? Ewww!

There are loads of good quality well-priced wetsuits out there to fit all sizes, shapes and wallets, probably for not much more than you’d pay for a second-hand suit either. Buying new is a good investment.

So what suit do I need?

Most UK surfers use 3/2 for summertime surfing. Don’t bother buying a short suit unless you’re less than 5 years old or planning to surf in the tropics for most of the year. Long suits are the way to go for the UK.

What does 3/2 mean?

A 3/2 wetsuit is one where the thickness is 3mm on the core body parts (back, chest, stomach, kidneys) for warmth and 2mm on the arms and legs for flexibility for paddling and crucially for popping up easily.

It’s a good choice for summer surfing in the UK or Europe and will keep you warm from April to November in British surf. Choose a suit that has glued and blind-stitched seams for a watertight seal and a back zip style is easiest put on and take off. No embarrassing cries of;“I’m stuck in my wetsuit. Maureen, call the fire brigade!”

Quiksilver and Roxy have excellent 3/2mm wetsuits. For sizes and prices click here.

What does 4/3 mean?

The higher the figure the thicker the wetsuit and the warmer it will be. So a 4/3mm wetsuit will serve you for surfing cold water throughout the autumn and winter months in the UK, November to April. With thicker 4mm of neoprene around the middle body to keep warmth locked in and 3mm neoprene on the arms and legs for greater flexibility. For Scottish or North East coast surfers go for a 5/4/3mm suit with built in hood. The more frigid the water, the thicker the suit needs to be.

At our surf school, we need a wetsuit that will take plenty of punishment, keep the customers warm and fits a wide variety of people. The Quiksilver Syncro Base fits the bill for us with an impressive spec at an incredible price. For details fo this and all our winter suits, sizes and prices click here.

Chest zip or back zip?

Traditionally wetsuits were all made with back zips. Back zip wetsuits are easier to climb in and out of so if you’re a little over your fighting weight then I would recommend those. New wetsuit designs have increased flexibility and therefore chest zip suits are easier than they used to be to climb in and out of. Personally, I still struggle. They also tend to be a little pricier as more construction has gone into the design. Ultimately, it’s about personal choice. Both are pretty good.

Roxy Syncro GBS Back Zip Summer Wetsuit (Blue Print - BSQ0) — Roxy Syncro GBS Back Zip Summer Wetsuit.

We stock a wide range of both summer or winter wetsuits in a range of sizes, styles, and prices with brands like Quiksilver, Roxy, Gul and Globe. Take a look around and buy online here. Or just pop in if you’re in Cornwall, we’re open from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week.

If you’re not quite ready to buy we also hire all new Roxy, Quiksilver and Gul 3/2 wetsuits. For more details or to hire, click here.

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?