Are you choosing the right swimwear for Surfing?

Are you wearing the best type of swimwear for surfing?

We have all had that embarrassing moment in the surf, when we lose our tops in a wipe out or our bottoms every time we duck-dive. And the most frustrating part is that we bought swimwear that was apparently 'surfing swimwear' promoted around the point that we can surf in it.... but can we?

Most swimwear out in the market are not actually MADE for surfing. However over the last few years, we have seen more and more swimwear brands pop up that are targeted to female surfers. But do they actually stay on in the surf, which is what makes them surfing swimwear, right? 

When i decided to create Ocean Flo i was fed up with buying swimwear that wouldn't stay put in the surf. Creating specifically swimwear that is made by surfers, for surfers, with the main function that they stay put in different surf conditions. So i thought it may be useful to share with you the 'know how' on what you should actually be looking for in surfing swimwear that 'Stays On'. 

1. Anchor points- these exist where there is the most possibility that swimwear may fall off. For tops they include under the bust line, around the middle of the chest and around the neck.

 So choose;

 - A thick under bust band that is adjustable around your torso so it fits your body shape (check out our Pacasmayo and Santa Catalina Tops)

- Fuller coverage over your chest - high chest cuts are generally the best, (our Lobitos suits provide a good chest coverage), however if you want a triangle style choose a fixed triangle- it’s less likely to move 

- Adjustable shoulder straps if you want to wear over the shoulder, but criss cross design is more supportive

And for bottoms the main Anchor point is all in the waist band. If you have low waist cut, you will need to look for styles that can tie or tighten. I’ve never been a fan of side ties as they cut into my hips. Our low waist cuts have internal ties so you can tighten as much as you need and they will not fall off. Anything over the hips can be supportive enough if there is a thick elastic band, these generally won’t fall down over the hips.

 2. The Fit- think adjustability. We all have different shape shoulders, torso and boob size so how can one size fits all these different ranges... Generally speaking it’s not a problem, but for surfing, if you want it to stay on, you need to look for points of adjustability to tighten around your shoulders or torso, so you get a perfect fit. Bottoms I tend to go a size smaller so they are snug in the water, and must have a point to tighten if they are low waist.

3. Cuts- ever since my first trip to Central America in my early 20s, I was introduced to the cheeky cut, and have never gone back since. If you prefer a baggy mess around your bottom then go with a larger cut. More fabric generally means more space for water to move it around. Cheeky cuts sit there and don’t move and even better leg banding makes sure they sit and stay nicely in place. Bottoms with no stitching will fold inwards and you will see the internal lining or fabric, which isn’t the best look for us surfers. However those who prefer more coverage and less butt showing, boyleg cuts are great, because they wont slide around compared to bikini cuts.

4. Durability- if you want your swimwear to last longer, go for double Lycra rather than lining. Lining tends to stretch easily and swimwear tends to loose its shape and elasticity quicker. All our surf suits, one pieces and bikini are all made with double Lycra, which also mean they can be reversible as long as it doesn’t affect the function of the swimwear.

5. Choose sustainable brand- The two most common recycled materials comes from Repreve and Econyl. Not only are they more durable than virgin polyester and nylon, they are made from recycled plastic bottles and ocean waste. It's also important to know to prevent mircofibers from shedding from the swimwear and back into our ocean, rinse swimwear over the grass and let it dry in the shade, that way we are doing everything possible to reduce more plastic ending up in our oceans. 

 A few things to look at when buying surfing swimwear so you can focus on the waves rather than your swimwear falling down 😎