Thinking about getting a Protect Sun surf cap and would like to know what people use them think about them
Try your local news agency most have peak hats for about 3 bucks and if you loose it....well bad luck it only cost less than a middy(N.s.w.) anyway.
Use high protection good quality sun- screen, put one coat on an hour before you get in the water and a second coat on about 15 mins before.
No need for a hat, Banana Boat is 4 hour waterproof and is 50 plus also sticks on well.
I don't like hats so I use this method. Works for me.
ET.
Select to expand quoteE T said...
Use high protection good quality sun- screen, put one coat on an hour before you get in the water and a second coat on about 15 mins before.
No need for a hat, Banana Boat is 4 hour waterproof and is 50 plus also sticks on well.
I don't like hats so I use this method. Works for me.
ET.
Haven't done the two coat routine but I also hate hats. One coat at least half an hour before going out works for me. Can then reapply after a few hours to maintain it.
I just wear a trucker cap, falls off when I do, but it's normally floating within grabbing distance.
Even if I'm not quick enough to grab it before the next wave hits, it doesn't seem to get carried away, quite a strange phenomenon indeed
Hat is way more effective than sunscreen on scalp and gives some eye protection as well.
I'm a little "follicularly impaired" 
and use the ProTec hats, didn't lose one in two weeks in northern WA in some reasonable waves. Mate of mine with a big head showed me a trick, sit down, hook the rim of the hat over your knee and puuulll.... amazing how much it will stretch the hat to just the right size. The ProTec hats have a chin strap and also another strap on the back to tighten the fit on your head, used em for years, they are a little daggy but better than skin cancer!
For general use I just use a normal, cheap, peaked cap attached to the wettie zip puller (I have sewn a loop of ribbon on the end so it's easy to attach and remove). I bought a few nylon ones from ebay for a few bucks and use them kiting and SUPing.
For the vast majority of SUP surfing it's fine. If it falls off I just put it back on again. It might get knocked off once or twice an hour.
In colder weather I have a swish waterproof/windproof cap that I wear. It keeps my head much warmer than no hat, or any normal cap. If it's real cold I go for the wetsuit hat or hood.
I tried the purpose-made surf caps (with the ear covers) and they just feel too uncomfortable to me.
The bucket hats give better protection but they can be a bit claustrophobic to wear.
The double coat of sunscreen is not a bad idea to get the best performance out of the sunscreen, but there are two problems with that. For a start sunscreen is pretty horrible stuff so it's better to use less of it if you can.
More importantly the 4-hour, SPF 50 thing is a bit over-stated. www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/preventing-skin-cancer/spf50sunscreen.html
I have been wearing an ocean n Earth white with a stiff brim for years. I can't go surfing now without it and a pair of sunnies, just the cheap tradie type cost about $4 so it does not matter if you loose them. They never fog.
I have the same one DJ recommends, no complaints.
Fits my massive noggin perfectly.
I use a Starboard cap and have for over a year, had it in everything from 1' - 6' no hassles, lost it once (Easter weekend) but a surfer picked up and gave it back. For me it's function over form and almost 40 years in the surf have taken their toll. Feel naked without it now.
I wish a manufacturer would make a cool non dorky hat without those annoying ear muff straps or those thick one inch straps. At the moment I'm wearing an Excel light weight cap tied around my neck with piece of cord. Works well.
I mainly wear a dorky looking trucker hat just because of the ear muff straps. They protect my ears from water and wind.
If I fail to wear a hood or a hat with the ear covers... my ears always get infected.
I find I no longer need ear plugs to protect my ears.... as long as I'm willing to look like a dork.
AH! You see, I live where the sun shines all year round and looking cool in your trendiest boardies and coolest hat is the go. No icy wind or water for this little black duck. When I say cool I don't mean cold. 
Thanks for the input everybody. I found the Flip up Bill hat by Surf Munky. Looks good to me. I've worn a baseball hat my whole life so this looks like it will suit me just fine (I hope). It looks like it will stay on when I take a tumble. I also like that there's no annoying ear muffs and that I can use it with the brim either down or folded up.
Check it out at http://surfmunkey.com
