sunscreen

Think about wearing a "rash-guard" over your swim suit. I enjoy wearing a white rash-guard top,..the sharks think I`m a baby killer whale and that Mom is near-by. %^)

I use Blue Lizard. It's the best I've found so far. Really stays on, and my son thinks it's hilarious because it changes color slightly when the sun hits you. Nothing's funnier than having a blue or purple mom!

I've had good results with Hawaian Tropic "Cler Zinck", but it seems hard to find now. If you don't mind looking like Caspar The Friendly Ghost, zinc diaper rash cream is supposedly a great long lasting sunscreen for water. Failing that, a rash shirt made from Chloroban or Chloroblock. Both have an spf of about 50. The sales staff at Textile Outfitters, where I buy my Chloroblock, tell me that the dark colors actually block more uv rays than the light colors.

Bullfrog 45 Superblock is the best I've found. Blue Lizard isn't bad, but I think that Bullfrog is better. (And less expensive, at least here in PA.) I suggest that you apply 1 layer about 1 hour before the race and a second layer 30 minutes before the race. Another possibility if you don't mind being really messy: mix: 500 grams of vaseline 500 grams of LANOLIN zinc oxide cream 1 bottle of Bullfrog 45 superblock Gently warm in double boiler and combine until uniform Put on very heavily. -LBJ

hmmm....Leonard, I'm intrigued by your concoction. But does it retain heat? The water will be in the mid to upper 80s, so staying cool is a concern. Thanks!

hmmm....Leonard, I'm intrigued by your concoction. But does it retain heat? The water will be in the mid to upper 80s, so staying cool is a concern. Thanks! I suppose that it does to some small degree, but the use of vaseline/lanoline as a protection against the cold is pretty much a myth. It may help with the initial shock of cold, but not the overall effect. I've only used this once and it worked well, but I have no idea about in mid/high 80 degree water. However, I got the "recipe" from a guy in South Africa who did use it in warmer water and he never mentioned excess heat although he did say it protected him from the hot African sun for (I think) 8-9 hours. You might consider it for the back/neck/arms and use regular sunblock for the under side of your body, perhaps - just a guess. Keep in mind that it is MESSY and if you get it on goggles, you won't be happy. Also keep in mind that it will probably do some damage to your swimsuit as vaseline does that to organic compounds. Also, I have heard some interesting things about SolRX sunscreens, but haven't tried them yet. http://www.solrx.com/ -LBJ

You might want to try Zinka. I know some lifeguards and surfers who swear by it. They say its the closest thing they can find here in the US that is similar to the really good sunblocks you can buy in Australia and Europe. The good news is it comes in clear now, so you don't have to be neon-colored unless you want to be. :joker: http://www.zinka.com/

I'm doing Key West this year too, and am worried about the sunscreen situation. Did a some races at Ft Myer a couple of weeks ago and got absolutely fried even with several layers of various sunscreen. And I'm not particularly fair-skinned. I think I'm gonna do bullfrog with a layer of zinc on top and hope for the best!! Better not forget the bottom lip, too!

Great, I'm glad you're doing the race too! I think my current plan is to put on a layers of Safe sea (for sea lice protection, but it also has SPF 30) , let it dry and then put a layer of bullfrog, let that dry and then put another layer of safe sea. Here's to not getting burned!

Blue Lizard works great indeed. I use Blue Lizard. It's the best I've found so far. Really stays on, and my son thinks it's hilarious because it changes color slightly when the sun hits you. Nothing's funnier than having a blue or purple mom!