Avoid A Sunburn When Boating

Boating on a water body in the summer heat can be fun and relaxing, but the harsh sun rays can leave you with sunburns, redness, itchy skin, irritation and a tanned skin. Fortunately, there are many ways to avoid sunburn while boating. Here are some tips to help you prevent sunburn when boating.

Sunglasses and Hats

Invest in a good pair of polarised sunglasses that can block 99 to 100 percent of the UVA and UVB rays even if they are a bit expensive. Wrap around frames or sun visors fitting close to the face can offer ample protection from sunlight from all possible angles. Don’t forget to wear a wide brimmed Mexican style hat as well to protect your face.

Sunscreen

Broad spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of 15 to 30 are ideal for all outdoor activities. The sunscreen you choose must be able to offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Since you will be spending time on the waters, it is better to invest in a water proof and sweat resistant, long staying sunscreen.

Apply generous quantities of sunscreen on all the exposed parts of your body 20 to 30 minutes prior to going out in the sun. Reapply every couple of hours or more frequently if you get splashed by water or perspire heavily. A thick and thorough application every two hours will offer optimal protection against sunburn and tanning.

Cover Up

The best way to prevent sunburn is to cover your arms and legs with light coloured, tightly woven clothing. These days, you can find outdoor sports apparel that offer protection from sunburn.

Avoid Sun Exposure

The sun’s harsh rays are the strongest between 10 am and 4 pm. This is when you should avoid sun exposure at all costs. Try to stay in the shade during these hours. If you have to boat during these hours, limit the number of hours you are spending out on the water. Alternatively, seek any kind of available shade. Try to schedule your boating activities in the evenings or early mornings when the sun is low on the horizon.

Managing Sunburns

If you feel you have sunburns after your boating trip, apply a cool compress on the affected areas or pat an ice cold, wet towel on your skin. To sooth the burning and irritation, you can apply aloe vera based after-sunburn gels for cooling your skin and reducing the redness.

You can also take a shower or bath in lukewarm water mixed with corn starch or baking soda or oatmeal. While outdoors, rehydrate yourself with cool drinking water every now and then. You can also soothe sunburns by soaking yourself in a tub of chilled water and by applying a heavy duty moisturising cleansing bar on the affected areas (soap is a definite no no).

Once you are done with your bath, apply a good quality moisturiser or sunburn gel or the juice of aloe vera leaves. Cucumber juice and mashed potatoes also help with sunburns.

David Hammel is freelance writer, professional blogger and an avid boater. He is from the Napanee area and enjoys blogging for Atkins & Hoyle about his boating knowledge and experiences.