Rashguards were originally designed to help reduce incidence of surfer's rash, which is an unfortunate type of skin irritation usually resulting from abrasion on the waxy top surface of a surfboard or from chafing inside an ill-fitting wetsuit. They can also serve as an added warmth-providing layer under a wetsuit, or an outer layer of its own if the water conditions are not too cold. Most rashguards are made from a mixture of lycra, spandex, and nylon, which makes them comfortable for activities involving a wide range of motion, and quick-drying for activities in or near the water.
But you don't have to be a hardcore surfer to enjoy the practical uses of rash guards. Just because you don't usually suit up in a wetsuit doesn't mean you should hit the beach baring as much skin as possible. Things like jellyfish stings and sunburns can quickly ruin your day.
A major advantage of wearing rashguards is that they are highly effective in protecting the skin against UV radiation. While small amounts of UV exposure are good for the production of vitamin D, the threshold between healthy and dangerous exposure is thin. A sunburn can occur in as little as 15 minutes of constant sun, and this is not reserved for bright sunny days. As much as 90 percent of UV light passes through clouds, so on a colder day at the beach a rashguard will protect you against both the natural chill and the ever-present risk of excessive UV exposure. And for those sunny days, a rashguard or other sun protection is even more essential. Besides coming from direct sunlight, UV rays are also reflected off of bright surfaces, including the surface of water. What's the outcome of all this dangerous sun exposure? Between 2 and 3 million non-malignant and around 130,000 malignant skin cancer cases are detected in the US every year. Without getting into heavy medical details, let's just say that the risks from excessive UV are not worth it, and wearing a simple rash guard is so much easier. Because many of them have a protection rating of over 50+, meaning they block 98% of harmful UV rays, rashguards should be included in any trip to the beach.
Surfing is the root cause behind an explosion of clothing and cultural styles. T-shirts, baggy shorts, and surfing lingo are fairly assimilated into popular culture, yet their origins are in surfing. The rashguard is another piece of surfing gear that may be making its way into areas other than just surfing. For the dedicated surfer who spends countless hours out hitting waves, surf rash is a common problem that rashguards can help prevent. For everyone else, they're useful for providing lightweight protection against the elements, with a little bit of style thrown in. Put all of these together, and it's clear that the surfing rash guard is more than just a piece of clothing - it's a symbol of the cross between style and function that is embodied by surfers, and imitated by everyone else.
Author Resource:-
To learn more about UV Protection and Other Benefits of Rashguards visit Body Glove. Rashguards Are The Best Way to get the Most out of your Surfing Experience without Getting Bested By the Rigors of the Sun and the Surf.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlesbacklink.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
