What is the health risk?

Surfers (who must regularly monitor the horizon for waves) are bombarded with UV rays over the course of their surfing career.

The EPA specifically warns against optical overexposure to UV rays. Research has shown that UV radiation increases the chances for cataracts. Other health risks unprotected surfers can potentially look forward to include pterygium (growths on the eyes), skin cancer around the eyes, and macular degeneration.

Why don't we see more surf sunglasses?

While some surf and eyewear companies have briefly explored manufacturing sunglasses specfically for surfers, most have offered products that are so expensive as to be unaffordable to the general surfing public. Perhaps the most shameful example of this would be Oakley's Polarized Water Jacket Sunglasses, which retail for $250.

So far, the least expensive (and supposedly most effective) "surf sunglasses" come from a company called SeaSpecs, which run at $59 a pair. I haven't tried these glasses, so I can't comment on them.

Given the very real health risks, it would seems to be a no-brainer for surf companies to manufacture affordable surf sunglasses. So far, most have not. Personally, I think it's blatantly irresponsible.

What about do-it-yourself surf sunglasses?

Freestyle manufactures an eyewear retainer called the Freestyle Neo Shark Retainer, which attaches to just about any pair of sunglasses. When you wipeout, your eyewear float and it will be easy to locate, since the retainer "sticks out" of the water. While the product is not currently listed on the Freestyle Web site, it is available at several online stores, such as Unreal Find, where it goes for $4.79.

This product does have some limitations. Specifically, it does not attach tightly to all kinds of glasses, and as such, you risk having your glasses slip out of the retainer with a hard enough dunk. A suitable workaround requires some simple sewing to tighten the "grip" of the retainer on your sunglasses. I have been using this setup since May of 2006. Total investment: $13.

Why be such a cheapskate? Because glasses are easily lost, scratched, broken, and stolen. In my opinon, sunglasses are a critical investment, but they don't have to be an expensive one.

Don't your glasses fog up?

Not really. As with a diving mask, I have found that if you spit on the inner portion of the lenses, fogging is greatly reduced, if not eliminated entirely.

Then there's the Rain X trick. Rain X is a product that prevents fogging on car windshields. I've found that it also reduces fogging with surf sunglasses. Just make sure you apply it exactly as the label says and don't get any in your eyes.

Learning to "look past" the water.

A bigger issue than fogging is the slight "blur" effect created by the beading of water on the outside of the lenses. This is a minor annoyance, similar to looking through a car windshield when it is barely sprinkling. I have found it is actually very easy to accomodate and "look past" the water.

Who are you?

I'm just a guy who surfs. I currently live and surf in Encinitas, California. I also did the same in Santa Cruz for about 6 years.

Why are you doing this?

Over the years, I found that late-afternoon surfing gave me intense headaches from squinting over the sun. I started wearing (regular) sunglasses into the water, and found that it completely solved the problem.

Since then, I've been "experimenting" with surf sunglasses since 2004. So far, I haven't found a solution I'm 100% happy with, but I'm still playing with it.

I plan to develop this site as a resource for surfers worldwide who are interested in surf sunglasses, and help encourage a positive trend towards their adoption in the surfing community.

Look for more development in the near future.