Surfing in warm water: What should you wear?

If you are wondering what to wear when surfing in warm water, the answer is actually quite simple: you don't need a wetsuit – but a standard beach bikini isn't always the best choice either. Depending on how long you're in the water, how strong the sun is, and how you surf, a good surf bikini or a rash guard can make much more sense.

I have asked myself this question quite often.

I studied fashion design and worked in the fashion industry for over six years. Even so, at one point before my first long surf trip, I stood in front of my suitcase and thought: What should I actually wear to surf?

Almost all the guides I found back then were about neoprene. 3/2, 4/3, hoods, booties, water temperatures. Everything revolved around cold water.

And for warm water?

Mostly just: "You don't need it."

That is true, of course. But it doesn't really answer the question.

At what water temperature do you no longer need a wetsuit?

There is no fixed temperature for that.

It depends on how long you are in the water, how much you move, how windy it is, and of course, whether you get cold easily or not.

But I can tell you what it's like for me here in Bali.

Here, surfing without a wetsuit is normal all year round. In the warmer months, the water temperature is around 28 degrees. Honestly, I wouldn't want to wear anything warmer than a bikini then.

In the dry season, especially in July and August, the water on the south and west coasts gets noticeably cooler. When I'm in the water for a long time, I like to take a rash guard with me. Not necessarily because I'm freezing, but because it's just more comfortable.

And depending on where you surf, it looks different, of course. Portugal in the summer is a different story than Sri Lanka in December.



You don't need a wetsuit in Sri Lanka either

That's why I wouldn't hold on too tightly to a single temperature. Especially in warm water, the outfit is often less about warmth and much more about sun protection, comfort, and support.

Bikini or rash guard – what should you wear when surfing in warm water?

For me, both make sense. Just in different situations.

If I go into the water for an hour in the morning when the sun isn't as strong, a well-fitting surf bikini is usually enough for me.

It is uncomplicated, dries quickly, and I am not wearing more than I really need.

For longer sessions or when the sun is already high, I prefer to reach for a rash guard.

It protects my shoulders, back, and neck from the sun and feels comfortable on the skin while paddling. Especially when you stay in the water for several hours, that makes a difference.

And that is precisely what you often only notice after you have surfed for a longer period of time.

Why beginners on a soft-top quickly realize that a good rash guard is sensible

If you are just starting to surf, you will probably learn on a soft-top board.

At the beginning, you lie on the board a lot. You paddle. You slide forward and backward when standing up. You paddle back. And at some point, you suddenly notice that your stomach or ribs are quite irritated.

I know that myself.

The surface of a soft-top board has an anti-slip coating. Because of the constant friction, the skin can still be quite strained, especially over several hours.

On top of that comes the sun – and as a beginner, you often stay in the water longer because you are simply trying out so many things.

That is why I would not necessarily recommend that beginners take the thinnest and loosest rash guard that the surf school happens to have lying around.

It does the job for an hour, of course.

But if you surf more frequently, I would eventually invest in a rash guard that really fits well.


Here on a wave in Sanur, out with the rash guard

It should fit close to the body, not constantly slide up, and feel comfortable even if you are lying on the board for several hours.

This is exactly why we deliberately developed our Cropped Rash Guard.

It fits close to the body and has our WaveHold™ band at the waist. The wide band helps keep the rash guard where it belongs while paddling and in the water.

And yes, you can feel the band.

That is intentional.

A band you don't notice at all probably won't give you much support during a wipeout either.

Why your regular beach bikini doesn't always work for surfing

That is probably the point I underestimated the most at the beginning.

A bikini that sits perfectly on the beach or by the pool doesn't have to withstand much.

Surfing is different.

You paddle. You push yourself up. You go through the whitewater. Then a wave comes from behind and pulls on your body while you are moving in a different direction at the same time.

And suddenly, a few thin ribbons on the hip or a narrow band under the chest have to withstand a lot.

I thought for a long time that this was just my personal problem.

At some point, I thought: This can't be.

The longer I dealt with cuts, materials, and fits, the clearer it became to me that it wasn't my fault at all.

Most bikinis are simply not made for you to surf in them.

If you want to know more about this, I have explained exactly that in more detail here: Why your bikini slips while surfing.

If you are looking for a bikini for surfing, I would therefore pay attention to a few simple things: a wider, firm band under the bust and wide straps instead of thin ones for the top. A bottom that sits securely over the hips and isn't tied at the sides. And a material that pulls back after stretching instead of becoming looser over time.

Sun instead of cold: The real enemy in warm water

What surprised me most at the beginning was not the water temperature.

It was the sun.

Especially while surfing, you often don't notice how long you've been out. You are in motion, focusing on the waves, and not constantly thinking about how many hours you have actually been in the water.

I got a pretty severe sunburn on my back during my first time in Bali. After that, there was a two-day break from surfing.

Since then, sunscreen is just as much a part of my equipment as wax.

But especially during long sessions, I don't rely on it alone. Water, sweat, and friction can affect sun protection. That is why I prefer to wear clothing with high UV protection on the areas that are covered anyway.

Our surfwear material has UPF 50+.

For me, that is one of the most important reasons to wear a rash guard, especially on long days in the water.

Of course, face, hands, legs, and feet remain exposed. That is why sunscreen is still always a part of it.

What should you really pack when surfing in warm water?

Based on my personal experience, I would say that you need one or two surf bikinis.

A rash guard for longer sessions and strong sun.

Sunscreen.

And a sarong or surf poncho. Just something to quickly throw on, grab your board, and off you go.

You usually don't need more than that.

And that is exactly what I now find so pleasant about surfing in warm water: You don't need much.

You don't need a thick wetsuit. No ten different layers. And actually no complicated equipment either.

But what you wear should be made so that you can move freely in the water.

A good surf bikini should stay in place.

A rash guard should not constantly slip or chafe.

And neither should make you constantly think about what you are wearing.


A rash guard that slips just distracts you

Because actually, when you're surfing, you want to think about something completely different:

the next wave.

My conclusion

So if you are asking yourself what to wear when surfing in warm water, I would keep it simple.

For short sessions and less strong sun, a well-fitting surf bikini is enough.

For longer sessions, lots of sun, or if you are just starting to surf, a high-quality rash guard is a really good addition.

And honestly: You will notice quite quickly what works for you.

At least that is what I have learned.