I confess that the cognitive dissonance between this wonderful title picture and the headline of this article is a really sharp drop. But since I´ve learned that posting a sexy picture really works (hear, hear!) and my girlfriend approved using her beautiful bottom as clickbait, I might try to lure in some of you guys more frequently utilizing this technique. Anyway, I´ve had this article in my mind for quite some time now and even if summer is in its ultimate weeks now, at least for us Europeans, we still have some pretty nice, hot and nice days filled with strong sunshine.
So, whils you and I admire the view, let´s talk about a rather serious and not so funny topic: Sailing and skin cancer. I tried really hard to publish this article as an interview. Therefore, for the last two years (!), I contacted a lot of doctors, oncologists and specialists asking for an interview. I actually identified even an oncologist specialist who was also at the same time a sailor. But, for some reason, it is so hard to talk to these guys, several attempts to meet for an interview, for doing this remotely or just talk on the phone failed. Maybe these doctors are all-too busy, maybe there´s some kind of omertá amongst the scene, I don´t know.
So I to gather all information I researched over the years, articles and also scientific studies and try to come up with an article for you that is not only nice to look at because of my photo-model but also useful an informative. To be honest, I write this because a good friend of mine had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma last week. It really stirred me up.
Birthmark or melanoma?
We all know them. We all have them. Some more, some a bit less. Smaller dark spots are all over our skin. Moles, or birthmarks, are natural variations in the pigmentation of the skin. The definition is, that a birthmark is a benign growth of skin cells. These aren´t cancerous and usually not a reason for concern. We all have learned over time to identify our biggest or most „impressive“ birthmarks through countless times standing before the bathroom´s mirrors – usually we notice if something „happens“.
This is, when a birthmark starts to grow in size, changes ist color (usually getting darker or – most alerting! – when it starts to show two color-shades). At the age of 40 years and older, visitng a dermatologist for skin cancer screening should be a matter of course and part of our cancer prevention. Be honest: Do you visit your skin doctor every two years as it is recommended? I don´t …
Sailors are prone to skin cancer
Readers from Down Under or New Zealand would know this: Their rate of skin cancer is the highest in the world. In fact, skin cancer is dubbed „Australian National Cancer“. Protection and prevention efforts are among the most developed and intense in the world, sadly, the rate of disease is still the highest. There is no further explanatio needed to explain why sailors are most prone to skin cancer, I guess.
Sailing is an outdoor sport, an occupation that is executed under the sun. The picture above I´ve taken some four years ago and it is a universally valid depiction of sailing I´d say: Bimini is folded away, skipper is at the helm, enjoying a nice upwind sail. Can you identify yourself with my good friend enjoying the sun and the wind as well?
Back in the day – this is something I was told by a dermatologist a few years ago – doctors could identify a sailor by looking at his hands. The upper side of the skin was usually burned, scarred and – sadly – full of malgnant melanomas. This was because some 20, 30 years ago there hadn´t been any auto pilots around and also steering wheels weren´t found on yachts smaller than 40 feet. So, the hand was always on the tiller, sun frequently burning the upper sides. But still today, when actively steering at the wheel, your upper sides of the hand will be exposed to hours of direct sunlight.
Today, the most exposed parts of our bodies are the nose (!), neck, arms and backsides of our legs. It´s not as bad anymore than back in the day but still, severe sunburns are an absolutel frequent occurance. I remember my own nose literally peeling off, it´s skin falling apart completely just three years ago sailing in Greece. The danger is real. So, what to do? A hat usually is a good option. Most prefer a basecap, but this is only providing shade for the nose (at least), usually leaving your cheeks and especially your ears unprotected. A real hat, like shown above, might not be the most fashionable option, but provides a 360-degree-protection for your head and even the neck.
No boat without bimini!
Well, when I was still with the Beneteau dealer actively selling boats, I recommended to go for the bimini-option. For me, on a boat in vacational use, this is a matter of course and shouldn´t be left out. The yachts do not increase their beauty, to put it mildly: Most of the boats really „suffer“ in terms of beauty. Look at a wonderful, sexy, well-designed Solaris yacht before and after the sprayhood and bimini are set up. It´s not so sexy anymore.
It´s ugly – but it is so effective! Being in the shadow of a bimini whilst sailing is the number one protection against skin cancer on your boat. You should strongly consider to retrofit one of these if your yacht is sailing in a sun-rich area and you want yourself, your family and your guests to be protected agains sun exposure. Many boat builders offer rigid bimini solutions on their bigger units (starting with 50/55 feet upwards) by now, which reduce the hazzle of setting up the bimini smartly, but also, mostly don´t really contribute to the beautiful looks of your yacht.
Boats where biminis cannot be fitted, like performance yachts or classic boats, face a challenge in this respect. Back in the day when I was still sailing my beloved GEKKO, a First 27 SE, I at least fitted sunshades to protect and shade the cockpit at least when in harbor – it really worked beautiifully and increased the comfort level to a large extend. Regarding classic yachts, like my new Omega 42, of course, any bimini would utterly destroy the looks and must be a custom made solution. With the mainsheet going directly into the cockpit from the boom head, I´d say it is impossible to have an „underway“ solution. But be asured: My ALPHA will get a sunshade for harbor and anchorage for sure!
In any case, what I am trying to convey here is that there might be some room for improvement aboard your own boat in terms of sun protection. You may check. Does your yacht provide at least some shade for a portion of the cockpit area so that people can choose to get away from direct sunlight? Passive protection is an easy way to reduce the risk of skin cancer when sailing. More so if you are sailing with kids.
Protect your sailing kids
Children are, no further explanation needed, our most precious things in life. We should care for them and protect them at any cost, at any time. This is especially valid when it comes to skin cancer, because the risk for children and harm done by sunlight radiation is much, much higher than for adults. Why? First of all, they are still growing. The growth rate of cells is manifold higher: in this, any defect or damage, especially in the DNA, is relayed in a much speedier way. Secondly, their skin color is usually much more pale – and we all know that less-pigmented skin is more likely to get burned than darker pigmented skin.
And here we are: Sunburns. Be aware that it is scientifically proven (!) that there is a direct correlation between infant sunburns and a later tendency towards skin cancer. Every sunburn of your child increases its risk to develop a malignant melanoma later when grown up. So you must protect your kids! Not just by providing shade, of course, but by also actively protecting their precious skin. And yours as well of course: Sunscreen!
Choose your sunscreen wisely
Sunscreen products are, next to UV-resistant clothing like T-shirts, the most effective protection for your skin. There are many, many different products available, ranging from the cheap ovr the counter last chance-buy at the waterfront kiosk to the high-grade brands sold in supermarkets and pharmacies to very special niche products. I am a great fan of New Layer, a product I identified on Amazon. Sunscreen products are in a kind of environmental spotlight because of some ingredients: This is nano-particles, micro- and liquid plastics, mineral oil or parafene, allergents and other „forever chemicals“. Just imagine the sheer amount of tons of these things getting washed into our oceans on a yearly basis!
So, you should not just choose your sunscreen by the sun protection factor, but also by its environmental impact. New Layer is such a product and there are many other brands and manufacturers offering similar environmentally friendly products. Yes, they are much more expensive, but as a fellow sailor and seaman, protection the oceans and nature should be a matter of fact for you. I had mentioned the SPF (sun protection factor). Just a quick reminder: The SPF is not (!) the amount of minutes you can spend in the sund! It´s a multiplying variable.
Explaining the Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
Let´s dive a bit deeper into this because there is a lot of misconception about SPF. First of all, the SPF means the following: If you can spend 10 minuts out in the open sun, fully unprotected, before your skin gets burned, an SPF of 10 multiplies this by 10. SPF 30 multiplies it by 30. And so forth. So, does this mean that you should know your personal variable before choosing your product? Yep. That´s a question for a trained skin expert or your dermatologist. But there are some more things to consider. Mathematically the SPF means that if you can spend 10 minutes out in the open sun, fully unprotected before your skin gets burned, an SPF of 10 multiplies this by 10. SPF 30 multiplies it by 30. And so forth.
Another fact to now about the SPF is the amount of hazardous UV-B rays blocked. It´s pretty easy. An SPF of 15 blocks 93 % of UV-B, SPF 30 block 96 %, SPF 50 98 %. This is stunning for most people because a common belief is that SPF 50 is „best“ because it blocks most of the rays. Well, that´s true but the difference of the amount of UV-B blocked is miniscule. Which is not for the price: SPF 15 is much cheaper than 50 or 100. Regardless which protecton you go for, you should renew the sunscreen every two hours. Dermatologists suggest an SPF 30 as minimum. Most exposed areas, like the said upper sides of the hands and certainly the nose should get a 50 or 100 the least. Elder sailors, they call it diplomatically the „mature“ skin, should get an SPF 50-product. And this is what I use regularly as well, aged 45 myself.
Summer sailing without risk
Is there a „no risk“-option in life? No, of course. As sailors, we are out there. We are exposing ourselves to the incredible powers of mother nature. But we should be aware that there is not only just Poseidon, the mighty God of the Seas, watching us and trying us, it´s also Helios, the shining sun, throwing down the burning rays relentlessly upon us weak mortals. In this, we can and we should protect ourselves and our kids, teach them to be aware of this danger. I know, most of you have clicked on the teaser leading to this article because of the tempting nice view my girlfriend provides … I am sorry that I just clickbaited you into this. Hopefully it turned out to be informative though.
In this I conclude my pledge for sun protection with a personal wish: Upon closing the tab in your browser in a few seconds, please don´t omit to your daily routine. Be seated, google „dermatologist nearby“ and secure an appointment for your skin cancer prevention scan. I did this right after my friend disclosed her diagnosis to me a few days ago and I was shocked that the next available date is April 2025. So still seven (!) month to go! Much more I strongly ask you to do the same, so that we all can enjoy the beuatiful views of summer for many, many more summers. Be it the bottoms of our girlfriends or, as seen above, the breathtaking beauty of the sun shining gracefully through a proud Gennaker.
You might as well like to read these articles:
Life support measures after rescueing a drowned person
Sea sickness: What does help?
A matter of course – your boat´s first aid kit