Skin Cancer and Surfing: What Everyone in the Line-up Needs to Know
By Dr. Amanda Zbyszewski, Board-Certified Dermatologist, Vienna, Austria.
Saltwater, sun, and long sessions feel like freedom. But here’s the hard truth: research shows surfers face a significantly higher risk of developing skin cancer than the general population. Even more surprising, nearly 90 percent of surfers don’t know how to protect themselves properly or spot early warning signs..
Skin cancer begins when ultraviolet (UV) rays damage the DNA in your skin cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. The biggest offender is UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Sun + saltwater + hours in the lineup = a perfect storm for UV damage. Even when it is cloudy or you are in the water, those rays are hitting hard. Over time, that exposure adds up, and so does your risk.
I’m Dr. Amanda Zbyszewski, a dermatologist and a lifelong surfer. I know the rush of paddling into clean swell, but I also know the sun damage that comes with every lineup. I’m not here to scare you. I’m here to make sure your skin lasts as long as your love for the waves. In this article, I will bust some myths that still float around in surf culture, talk about smart sun protection, and walk you through the main types of skin cancer every surfer should know about.
I never surf without sunscreen, layering on thick stripes of zinc in every color. My friends used to laugh, calling me a ghost or a mermaid. “We don’t need it,” they’d say. The next day, they’d show up with burned skin, begging to borrow my sunscreen.
What Surfers Often Get Wrong About Skin Cancer
I see how often surfers underestimate the sun. Peeling noses, burnt lips, red shoulders, and even sunburned scalps are everywhere in the lineup, and yes, I even see plenty of sunburned butts out there. One day at a surf camp, I met a woman with a large scar on her head from basal cell carcinoma (I’ll explain more about that below). She told me she did not use sunscreen often because she thought having a tan looked cool. That moment really stuck with me, and it’s why I want to challenge the misconceptions so many surfers still have about sun protection and skin cancer. Here are a few of the misconceptions I hear most often:
“If I use sunscreen, I’m fully protected.”
Sunscreen is helpful but not enough on its own, especially during long surf sessions. It can wash off or lose effectiveness in saltwater, and reapplying while out on the waves isn’t always practical. That’s why wearing UPF 50+ clothing is crucial: it provides consistent, reliable sun protection that doesn’t wash off, helping keep you safe from harmful UV rays all session long.
“Skin cancer always looks like a scary mole or lump.”
Not always. It can be subtle. Sometimes it is a flaky patch, a sore that will not heal, or a subtle change in skin color. That is why knowing the ABCDE method and doing regular self-checks matters.
“I only need to check my face, legs and arms.”
It is true that skin cancer often appears on sun-exposed areas like the face, scalp, ears, neck, chest, arms, hands, and legs, but it can also occur in less visible areas like the palms, soles, beneath fingernails or toenails, and even the genital area.
“Doesn’t sunscreen block vitamin D production?”
A little, yes, but not enough to cause deficiency in most people. You only need a few minutes of sun a few times a week to make enough vitamin D. There is no need to roast in the midday sun.
“Only pale or fair-skinned people get skin cancer.”
Not true. Skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin tone, age, or gender. In fact, it is often diagnosed later in people with darker skin, making it more dangerous. People of color are two to three times more likely to die from melanoma, mainly because it is found at a later stage.
Sun Safety for Surfers 
UV light is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers. You cannot avoid being in the sun while surfing, but you can protect your skin.
I encourage you to protect your skin from harmful UV light in a way that suits you best. For example:
Use a broad-spectrum, zinc-based SPF 30+ sunscreen. Choose a reef-safe, water-resistant formula with zinc or titanium dioxide, and apply generously to all exposed skin at least 15–30 minutes before getting in the water. Reapply every two hours or immediately after prolonged water exposure.
Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved rash guards, wetsuits, and surf hats to shield your face, neck, and arms. UPF 50 surf wear is your best friend, whether you’re in warm tropical waves, cold water, and even on cloudy days.
Avoid surfing during peak UV radiation hours (typically 10 a.m. to 3 - 5 p.m.), whenever possible.
Seek shade before and after sessions and during breaks.
Perform regular skin self-exams (using the ABCDE method), and when possible, schedule a professional skin check once a year, especially if you’re in a high-risk group.
The ABCDE Surfers Guide to Self Skin Checks
You wax your board, check the swell, and see how the wind and peak are looking, but when was the last time you checked your skin? Would you recognize a suspicious mole? I recommend learning the ABCDE method for self-checks of the skin. Together with Vampire Surf Club and Spot the Dot, we created a handy guide just for you.
Mark Your Spots
I highly recommend keeping track of the spots on your skin and noting any changes. If you notice a mole that is different from others, or that changes, itches, or bleeds, you should make an appointment to see a medical professional.
Game on
You can learn the ABCDE method by playing this fun and free browser game Check-a-Mole Many of my friends and patients enjoy it and I happen to be rather addicted to the game myself 🙂 Play it here: www.spotthedot.org/game
Skin Cancer Explained
These are the three main types of skin cancer
Melanoma
The big one. The most dangerous type of skin cancer. It can spread quickly if not caught early. Often shows up as a new dark spot or mole that changes size, shape, or color.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
The most common one. Usually looks like a pink bump or sore that doesn’t heal. Can pop up on spots that catch a lot of sun, ears, nose, scalp, shoulders.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Rough, scaly, sometimes crusty or bleeding. Usually shows up on sun-beaten areas like the tops of your feet, back of your hands, or nose. These can grow deeper if left untreated.
Surf wax melts. Sunscreen fades. But skin cancer doesn’t back off unless you spot it early.
Protecting your skin is as essential as waxing your board or checking the tide. Surfing puts you at higher risk for skin cancer, but with regular self-checks and smart sun habits, you can ride waves and keep your skin healthy for years to come.
Remember, early detection saves lives, so don’t wait to see a medical professional if you notice anything unusual. Your best session is the one where you come out safe and sunburn-free.
The Trestles Hooded Springsuit. Made with Japanese limestone neoprene.
This article was co-written by Dr. Amanda Zbyszewski, Board-Certified Dermatologist, and Marije Kruis, founder of Spot the Dot. Together, we aimed to combine medical expertise with the patient experience.
Medical degree from the Medical University of Vienna, with international clinical experience at Charité Berlin and Hospital St. Gallen. Specialized in dermatology and venereology with a focus on allergology and HIV. Board-certified in skin and venereal diseases. Member of the Austrian Society of Dermatology and Venereology (ÖGDV), the Austrian Society of STI and Dermatological Microbiology (ÖGSTD), the Austrian Society of Allergology and Immunology (ÖGAI), the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), and the International Union Against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI). Learn more via dermaz.at/en
Marije is a Dutch melanoma patient and the founder of Spot the Dot, a non-profit she launched in 2015. She collaborates with a global network of artists, athletes, fellow patients, and dermatologists to spark real conversations about the importance of prevention and early detection of skin cancer. Marije has been writing for lifestyle magazines for over 20 years and works in marketing and PR. Learn more via spotthedot.org and marijekruis.com
Sources
Cancers, Kliniec et al. 2023, Peer J, Climstein 2022 and Br J Dermatology, 2016
British Journal of Dermatology, 2016: “Increased risk of skin cancer in surfers and swimmers due to UV exposure”
JAMA Dermatology, 2017: “Melanoma awareness and prevention in outdoor sports”
WHO data on skin cancer prevalence/preventability
