The 5 mistakes to avoid when buying a swimsuit for surfing

Catching waves is challenging enough without battling your swimsuit at the same time. Many surfers—from beginners to pros—struggle because they made poor choices when selecting their surf apparel.

The right surf swimsuit isn’t just about looking good on the beach; it’s about functionality, security, comfort, and protection. Choosing the wrong gear can ruin your session, cause discomfort, or even harm the environment.

Here are the 5 common mistakes to avoid when buying a swimsuit for surfing—and how to make smarter choices that improve both your performance and your experience in the water.

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1. Choosing style over performance

It’s tempting to grab that fashionable bikini or a pair of trendy boardshorts. They look great for photos, but regular swimwear isn’t designed for surfing.

Main problems:

• Fabrics stretch, fade, and thin quickly in salt water and sun.

• Bikinis often restrict paddling and slip out of place.

• Cheap boardshorts lack stretch and durability.

What to do instead:
Look for surf-specific swimsuits made from durable, quick-dry fabrics with four-way stretch. Features like cross-back straps, flat seams, and reinforced stitching ensure your surf swimwear stays in place—even during wipeouts.

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2. Ignoring proper fit and secure design

Many surfers buy their swimsuit in their usual size, only to realize it doesn’t hold up in the waves. Surf bikinis and swimsuits should fit more snugly than casual beachwear.

Secure design features to prioritize:

• Cross-back straps (won’t slip off shoulders)

• Double-stitched seams at stress points

• High-waist bottoms or surf leggings for better coverage

Pro tip: Always test how your surf swimsuit moves with paddling, pop-ups, and twists. At Jubai, every swimsuit goes through a “wipeout test” to guarantee performance.

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3. Overlooking sustainability

Conventional swimwear is often made from petroleum-based fabrics that shed microplastics into the ocean. These tiny particles harm marine life and pollute the very waves we love to surf.

Eco-friendly surf swimwear alternatives now use recycled materials like fishing nets and plastic bottles. They offer the same durability, stretch, and UV protection as traditional fabrics—but with a much lower environmental footprint.

At Jubai, for example, we combine high-performance design with sustainable fabrics, and each purchase supports reef restoration projects. 🌊

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4. Compromising on comfort

Discomfort kills performance. Poor seam placement can cause chafing under arms, around the neckline, or inner thighs. Ill-fitting tops restrict paddling, while bottoms that dig in limit mobility.

How to avoid it:

• Look for seamless or flatlock seam construction.

• Choose cuts adapted to your body type (racerbacks, supportive tops, flexible bottoms).

• Consider climate: light quick-dry fabrics for tropical surf, or light neoprene elements for cooler waters.

Comfortable surf swimwear lets you focus on waves, not distractions.

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5. Forgetting sun protection

Surfing means hours of direct sun exposure, and most bikinis or boardshorts cover less than 20% of your skin. Standard fabrics often provide little UV protection, which increases long-term risks like sun damage and skin cancer.

Better choices include:

• Surf swimsuits with UPF 50+ fabrics (block 98% of UV rays)

• Rashguards, crop tops, or surf leggings for added coverage

• Layering pieces depending on conditions and surf session length

Sun protection in surf swimwear is not just about comfort—it’s about your health. 🧴

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Final thoughts

Buying the right surf swimsuit isn’t just about fashion. It’s about avoiding the five key mistakes:

1. Choosing style over performance

2. Ignoring fit and security

3. Overlooking sustainability

4. Compromising on comfort

5. Forgetting sun protection

Modern surf swimwear gives you the best of both worlds: performance and sustainability. By making conscious choices, you’ll surf better, stay more comfortable, protect your health, and help preserve the oceans we all love.

Your surf swimsuit is not just an accessory—it’s essential gear. Choose wisely, and the waves will thank you. 🌊