Spandex gymp masks aside, Does anybody use /know of a commercial product that offers full face and neck sun protection for summer use?
I.e. like a balaclava made of rashie material.
Ideally with only mouth and eye holes (nose covered).
I've seen them used by kites in Philippines but can't seem to be able to buy one anywhere here (In Perth or online).
That would beat covering our mugs with (carcinogenic?) sunscreen all the time.
(Winter surfing wetsuit-style hoods etc would be too hot for summer kiting use).
Cheers for any help/idea's.
Ask in the windsurfing site, I have seen a few (especially in lancelin) run bags over there head.
Others use full face Gath helmets. I use zinc.
found this on a NZ site which will ship to OZ
designed for snowboarding but looks like it works in the water as well (dont come looking for me if im wrong tho)
www.hyperride.co.nz/products/category/1026/face-masks-airhole
Hello, Sandy,
You could try getting a child???s top in SPF50 material and making a mask to suit. I use a Legionaire???s hat, with long neck flap, sitting under a white Gath helmet.
www.cancercouncilshop.org.au/shop_hats/shop_hats_adults1/cottonleghat
Sorry, no scientific evidence of carcinogenic material in branded sunscreens and some of the best are available from the Anti Cancer Council :
www.cancervic.org.au/store/summer05_sunscreen1
Having had melanomas cut out and having to get my skin checked every 12 months, I know of which I speak.
You can make up a lycra tube sewn half way up , this will cover the neck area and put the remainder under your hat . Zinc appears to be the only sunscreen that really sees the distance after a days kiting
Mate what your after is a face-kini...there all the rage in China supposedly.
You can buy one here in a variety of stylish colors and pattens: www.buyfacekinionline.com
Google Buff head wear. Essentially a high tech fabric tube you can wear in all sorts of ways, including a Balaclava. I have a real one plus a $3 imatation, both off flea bay.
On real hot days mtb, I drench both, put one on my head and one around my neck. Very effective.
This looks hideous, but would work very well and even hooks onto your sunglasses.
http://www.coolibar.com/product/Face-Sun-Shield/155708.uts?green=0B0B9332-590C-53B5-B167-37EB6606B558&CA_6C15C=120015460000015741
Facekini is a joke right?? Perhaps you could buy a facekini, tie up bucket hat, nappy harness and retractable board leash package??
Don't forget your wind meter so you can make sure the sailing conditions are just right...
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
www.buyfacekinionline.com
Awesome, I can wear the facekini and my shorts over my wetsuit!
Who would have thought such a male dominated sport would be so full of fashionistas? 
The pearl divers in the Box jelly waters all use a stinger mask that covers everything and is fuctionally the balaclava you are looking for.
try a dive shop like workline dive and tackle that serves the pearl industry or you might get one from a dive shop (probably more likely for the tropics).
When I used to dive I had a purple one that let me channel my inner Phantom....
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Select to expand quoteoldjenkins said..
The pearl divers in the Box jelly waters all use a stinger mask that covers everything and is fuctionally the balaclava you are looking for.
try a dive shop like workline dive and tackle that serves the pearl industry or you might get one from a dive shop (probably more likely for the tropics).
When I used to dive I had a purple one that let me channel my inner Phantom.....
is there still a pearl industry
I thought it was just a small monopoly now
The stinger mask would be perfect though
Go to a dive shop and ask for a 'Lava' covering for a head. It's a 1mm-thick, woolly on the inside thing that divers wear under their neoprene helmets. Only problem is it blocks your hearing a bit - can be a bit iffy if kites/boats coming up from behind you, ect. But great for winter as you can jam a proper wool beanie inside.
Otherwise, just get a bucket hat, a THIN beanie and a scrunchy scarf for the back of your neck/under your chin (both from Katmandu), some good kite shades and some decent zinc cream that sticks like do-do on a blanket.
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