Here's Looking At You
This past Saturday I was the safety boater for an activity on the Milwaukee river. It was quite amazing how well it went considering the dire predictions of thunderstorms...but I digress. The thing I noticed, and want to make a short comment on today, was what I saw when the sun came blazing out.
A few staff members took to the water, and none of them had on sunglasses. One had forgotten them ashore and others had left them in the car. That little incident brought to mind how important (in my judgment) shades are, especially on the water. First of all, they can make you look cool...I guess. But there are also sound medical and practical reasons to have sunglasses as part of one's kit
Most simply, sunglasses reduce the amount of light reaching your retina and, thus, reduce those headaches one can get from the harsh exposure and from squinting. More importantly, UV light hastens cataract formation and, on the water, we get a double dose. We get the sunlight coming down as well as the reflection bouncing off the water. Reason enough for the glasses, however they must block the UV rays. There must be a sticker saying as much.
Secondly, you will want Polarized lenses. By definition, these lenses block the glare off everything except metal. This effect allows you to see down into the water (if the surface is still enough) and see that rock before it kisses your hull. It also reduces eye strain.
Having said all this, I cannot believe the money some people pay for designer sunglasses. Outrageous. Considering that, even with straps on, we all now and then lose or break a pair, I don't see the need to invest over $25. Yes, those are cheap and they break and you can buy a truck load of them for what you pay for that designer pair you will lose. But they are available with UV blocking Polarized lenses at most drug stores.
By the way: I have forever mentioned here that your on water (and off) photography will improve tremendously if you use a polarized filter to eliminate the glare. It makes clouds pop (as you near 90 degrees from the sun), lets you see into water and takes that annoying glare off leaves while saturating your colors (better to very slightly under than over expose).
There, I feel better, and you see better. Win-win.
Paddle safe...
DS
A few staff members took to the water, and none of them had on sunglasses. One had forgotten them ashore and others had left them in the car. That little incident brought to mind how important (in my judgment) shades are, especially on the water. First of all, they can make you look cool...I guess. But there are also sound medical and practical reasons to have sunglasses as part of one's kit
Most simply, sunglasses reduce the amount of light reaching your retina and, thus, reduce those headaches one can get from the harsh exposure and from squinting. More importantly, UV light hastens cataract formation and, on the water, we get a double dose. We get the sunlight coming down as well as the reflection bouncing off the water. Reason enough for the glasses, however they must block the UV rays. There must be a sticker saying as much.
Secondly, you will want Polarized lenses. By definition, these lenses block the glare off everything except metal. This effect allows you to see down into the water (if the surface is still enough) and see that rock before it kisses your hull. It also reduces eye strain.
Having said all this, I cannot believe the money some people pay for designer sunglasses. Outrageous. Considering that, even with straps on, we all now and then lose or break a pair, I don't see the need to invest over $25. Yes, those are cheap and they break and you can buy a truck load of them for what you pay for that designer pair you will lose. But they are available with UV blocking Polarized lenses at most drug stores.
By the way: I have forever mentioned here that your on water (and off) photography will improve tremendously if you use a polarized filter to eliminate the glare. It makes clouds pop (as you near 90 degrees from the sun), lets you see into water and takes that annoying glare off leaves while saturating your colors (better to very slightly under than over expose).
There, I feel better, and you see better. Win-win.
Paddle safe...
DS
10 comments:
I will check out the polarized filter ..thanks for the tip. I spent the weekend along the North Shore with my polarized sunglasses, and wonder why my photos look nothing like what I saw.
I have found it best to buy one large polarizing filter that I can hold in front of all my lenses. Just remember to remove your polarized sunglasses before use or you will see very little as the two will block almost all the light.
I've been using polarized glasses on the water for years now. They are great.
As a "four-eye" I am trapped into buying expensive sunglasses and have lost more than a few. I used to wear Oakly Water Jackets ($400+). They are great glasses and the strap is designed to stay on when surfing. I only lost one pair of these and they were not on my head at the time. One problem with them was that they looked goofy off the water.
I now use Adidas sun glasses with a prescription insert. They were reasonably priced ($200) and are much more flexible than the Oakly glasses. They have interchangeable lenses so, I can use them when cycling in lower light conditions as well. The one draw back with the Adidas glasses is that I have to rely on croakies (the kind that float) to keep them on my skull.
Thanks for the good ideas, Eric. I, too, have the prescription ones and always wear a cloth strap.
My recent sunglasses discovery - something called "coccoons". As a 4-eyes (with a whopping great prescription, too!), my choice of shades is often limited. Couldn't buy those cool prescription Oakley's even if I wanted to!! Also, I really don't like paddling with contacts - the thought of a "washout" leaving me blind and helpless is a bit much for the psyche.
Anyhow - Coccoons. They are UV blocking and polarized AND made to fit over your regular glasses. Nice side protection, too. And - they WORK!!! At @ $50 Cdn, the price point is a heck of a lot better than the prescription option - makes up for the "geek" factor ;-)
Love your blog - keep up the good work!
Susan
God to hear from you, Susan.Are you referring to those things that look like pregnant sunglasses and go over your regular glasses? If so, they are available in most local pharmacies. How well do they stay on?
I just picked up a polarizing filter .. I'll keep you posted!
I haven't tried the "scrape them off my face against a solid object" test, but for just every day wear they're pretty solid. The earpieces have little bendy wires in them so's you can contour them to fit more snugly if needed. I think with a good retainer strap (rubberized grips) they should be just fine. The earpieces also have some heft to them, so it shouldn't be too difficult finding a strap to fit, either.
Susan
where I paddle anybody forgetting the sunglasses only once for any paddle (even if overcast) will not repeat that mistake. Queensland has probably one of the harshest sunlight on earth (UV index almost constantly around "extreme" level 13, whatever that means...)
While I have occasionally dabbed as "fashion victim" and had designer glasses (bought at severe discount) I would not wear those on the water.
Like you Silbs I buy inexpensive polarized ones with nylon frames that won't crack while sea kayaking. And to stop loosing them in the surf I have added a strip of closed cell foam and retainer cord.
While the shades have come off in big waves I was able to pick them up from the surface since they would float.
Can't say the same for other paddlers that have not bothered adding a bit of floatation to their gear.
visited down under once and forgot about your sun conditions. I need to add the float to my rig. thanks for chiming in. G'day.
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