Approximately, two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70 according to Australian Cancer Council., with more than 750,000 people treated for one or more non-melanoma skin cancers in Australia each year. Non-melanoma skin cancer is more common in men, with almost double the incidence compared to women.

Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer* melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australians. In 2014, 13,134 Australians were diagnosed with melanoma.

Every year, in Australia:

• Skin cancers account for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers.

• The majority of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun.

• GPs have over 1 million patient consultations per year for skin cancer.

• The incidence of skin cancer is one of the highest in the world, two to three times the rates in Canada, the US and the UK.

• The good news is that skin cancer is preventable. With sun-safe planning, your time on your paddle board this summer can be safe, fun and simple. Here are our tips for protecting yourself and your skin from the sun’s rays while out paddling.

The simplest way to keep the sun’s harmful rays off your skin is to keep yourself covered with sun-protective clothing. Long sleeved rashies are perfect additions to your SUP attire to protect from the sun rays. Be sure to choose sun-protective clothing with a UV protection – most rashies have UV protection and check it meets Australian Standards. Active-wear leggings are great to further protect your legs from sunburn and are still easy to SUP in.

When it comes to sunscreen, you want to go with a broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30+ (or higher) sunscreen. That means it protects from both UVB and UVA rays. Even the best sunscreen needs to be re-applied regularly. It is recommended to apply 20 minutes before heading outdoors and every 2 hours after that. We like a natural zinc based sunscreen for our face that are reef-safe & broad spectrum like Surf Mud. It is tinted, gives great protection and is great for sensitive skin.

Be sure to slap on a wide brimmed hat to protect your face, ears and neck from the harsh Australian sun. There are some great and stylish options out on the market. We love nothing more than a wide brimmed straw hat that has a toggle to keep it on your head in case you fall in!

Slide on some sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection and meet Australian Standards. Not only will they help to protect your eyes from the sun it will also cut the glare from the water and prevent any sun damage from the reflection in the water.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the invisible killer that you can't see or feel. UV radiation can be high even on cool and overcast days. This means you can't rely on clear skies or high temperatures to determine when you need to protect yourself from the sun.

The UV Index is reported daily by the Bureau of Meteorology. The alert identifies times during the day when the UV level is 3 or above and sun protection is needed.

Download the SunSmart app for iOS or Android keep track of the UV levels throughout the day.

• Wipe hands after applying sunscreen so you don’t slip on your paddle.

• Don’t forget to apply a SPF30+ chap stick to your lips.

• If going out for a long paddle, carry extra sunscreen to re-apply.

• Seek shade whenever possible.

• Stay hydrated!