Heat on the water can sneaks up on you. Reflection off the surface doubles down on your skin. You don't feel yourself sweating because you're surrounded by water. By the time you realize you're overheating, you're already behind.

Here's how to stay ahead of the heat:

Hydrate Before You Launch: Don't wait until you're thirsty. Drink 16-20 oz of water an hour before you paddle. Bring more water than you think you need. Add electrolytes if you're paddling longer than an hour. We like Skratch Labs and LMNT, low sugar and high sodium.

Paddle Early or Late: Mid-day sun (10 AM to 3 PM) can be brutal. Dawn and dusk paddles are cooler, less crowded, and way more pleasant. If you have to paddle midday, keep it short.

Reapply Sunscreen: Once isn't enough. Reapply every 90 minutes, more if you're sweating or getting splashed. Your face, neck, ears, and tops of your feet get hammered. Don't skip those. We recommend Freaks of Nature - drys quick, no streaks and made for surfers.

Recognize Heat Exhaustion: Dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating, weakness. If you feel any of this, get off the water, sit in the shade, and drink water. Don't push through it. Watch out for your paddle pals too.

Wear a Hat: A wide-brim hat or a cap keeps sun off your face and neck. It makes a bigger difference than you'd think. We are in love with the Shelta hats for sun coverage, and general had security in the wind.

Heat isn't optional in summer. But how you handle it is. Respect it now or regret it later.

Most sunscreen either runs into your eyes, feels greasy, or stops working after twenty minutes. This one actually stays on, doesn't sting, and lasts through sweat and water. You still need to reply.

Why it works:

• Long-lasting without feeling greasy
• Water-resistant and reef-safe
• Doesn't run into your eyes when you sweat
• Created by pro super ,Kelly Slater, who knows a thing or two about sun exposure

Price Range: $28-$32
​Verdict: Worth it if you're tired of reapplying garbage sunscreen every half hour.

If you haven't done a sunrise paddle, you're missing the best part of summer. Water's glass, air's cool, minimal boat traffic, no crowds, just you and the quiet.

Pack a thermos of coffee. Bring a headlamp if you're launching in the dark. Go see what the water looks like before the rest of the world wakes up.

🔗 4 Reasons you need to wear your leash​

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