Campaign · 25 October 2026
Surf Sun Safe
Make sun protection part of every surf.
Checking the conditions is part of a surfer's routine. Protecting your skin should be too.
That's why we're launching Surf Sun Safe. Throughout November, we're working with dermatologist Dr AJ Seine to share practical advice on looking after your skin when you spend time in the ocean.
We're also donating 5% of every hat's sale price to Melanoma New Zealand when you shop at oceanlab.surf this November.
There's plenty to think about before you paddle out. We want sun protection to become the part you don't forget.
Every hat gives back this November
Need a new surf hat? November's a good time.
For the month of November, OCEANlab will donate 5% of the sale price of every hat purchased through oceanlab.surf to Melanoma New Zealand.
Choose your hat, take it on your next surf and know that part of your purchase will support their work.
Sun protection, with Dr AJ Seine
What do surfers get wrong about sun protection? And what would a dermatologist like us to do differently?
We spoke with Dr AJ Seine, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Skin Centre in Tauranga. He spends much of his working day checking skin and treating melanoma and other skin cancers.
For Surf Sun Safe, he's sharing advice on everything from putting sunscreen on before you leave home to noticing a mole that doesn't look quite like the others.
His advice starts with something easy to overlook when you're keen to get in the water: give yourself time to get ready properly.
Dr AJ's three sun-protection tips for surfers
1. Cover up
“If you're just relying on a sunscreen, it's not going to be enough. You need to be using clothing to cover up as well.”
Long sessions mean plenty of time with your skin exposed. Dr AJ recommends UPF 50 clothing and coverage that reaches the places surfers can easily miss, including the back of the neck and legs.
Think about how you sit and lie on your board. A rash vest or wetsuit can cover much of your skin, while a surf hat with a broad brim or protective flaps can help cover your face, ears and neck.
Before you paddle out, take a moment to check what's still exposed.
2. Choose your session time when you can
“Depending on the surf conditions and the swell and how the tides are running, choose when you're outside.”
The surf doesn't always fit your schedule. Dr AJ gets that. His advice is to avoid the strongest UV periods when you have the choice.
If the conditions give you some flexibility, consider an earlier or later session. You'll still need sun protection, but timing is another part of looking after your skin.
3. Get your sunscreen on before you get to the beach
“Do it at home before you jump in the car, before you get to the beach and chuck your clothing and your wetsuit on.”
It's tempting to put sunscreen on at the last minute, with your board under your arm and the water right there.
Dr AJ recommends applying it at least 20 minutes before heading out. Make it part of getting ready at home so you're not rushing it on the sand.
He also recommends zinc-based sunscreen for exposed areas such as the nose, lower lip and ears. Use sunscreen alongside protective clothing, follow the product's application and reapplication instructions, and remember that water-resistant doesn't mean waterproof.
Know your skin
Sun protection is one part of the conversation. Knowing what's normal for your skin matters too.
“When you're looking at your own skin, it's really important that you learn what's normal for you.”
Dr AJ explains that a baseline skin check can help you understand what's normal and give you a starting point for noticing changes.
One thing he suggests looking for is the “ugly duckling”: a spot that looks different from your other moles. Pay attention to changes in shape, colour or size, too.
If you notice something new, changing or unusual, get it checked by your doctor or skin specialist. You don't have to know what it is before making an appointment.
Born from the surf
OCEANlab designs surf hats in New Zealand for people who love being in and around the ocean.
With Surf Sun Safe, we're putting Dr AJ's advice into the conversation before the next paddle out. Cover up where you can. Give your sunscreen time before you head outside. Get that spot checked if it's been bothering you.
And if a new hat is on your list, every hat purchased through oceanlab.surf this November will see 5% of its sale price donated to Melanoma New Zealand.
See you out there.
Learn more about Melanoma New Zealand
About Dr AJ Seine
Dr AJ Seine is a dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon at Skin Centre in Tauranga. His work includes skin checks and the treatment of melanoma and other skin cancers.