Protect yourself from the sun this summer.

Summer is the season of swimming and hanging out on the beach. But it’s also the season of sunburn. Here’s how to stay safe and still have fun.

1 K-Way Explorer Addo & Serala Shirts

The Addo is for men and the Serala is for women. Both are high-tech shirts made from a polyester and spandex blend. The fabric has UPF40+ sun protection, it wicks moisture and it dries faster than a spilt drink in the Kalahari – wash it in the evening, hang it overnight and it will be ready for action the next morning. Both shirts weigh next to nothing and each has a collar that you can turn up to protect your neck. The only difference besides the cut is that the Addo has long sleeves. Let’s hope the next version of the Serala does, too. R550 each at Cape Union Mart

2 Paja Panana Alberto Straw Hat

Outdoor hats – like the K-Way Trek featured here – are practical but goofy. If you prefer to hit the beach in style, get yourself a Panama hat. This authentic one is handwoven in Ecuador from natural fibres, it has a wide brim and it’s light as a feather. It’s obviously not too durable, but a few creases give it character. Now where’s that mojito? R419 at Spree

3 Sun Skin Sunscreen Pack

This clever new offering from a South African company should last the whole summer. It features a 300 ml dispenser that you can leave at home, plus four travel-friendly 50 ml bottles to take with you wherever you go. Top up the small bottles from the main dispenser when they run empty. The sunscreen itself is non-greasy and water-resistant, with an SPF30 rating. It’s suitable for sensitive skin and for kids, and it contains antioxidants (vitamins C and E). The Sun Skin range also includes an advanced SPF50 lotion called UV Derm, for sun protection and protection against skin-damaging light emitted by phone and computer screens. Yup, staring at Facebook is not just damaging your brain, it’s damaging your skin! R450 for the SPF30 pack (500 ml); R450 for the UV Derm pack (250 ml) at sunskin.co.za

4 K-Way Trek Hat This wide-brim floppy has a secret weapon: a removable patch that Velcros to the inside band. Soak the patch in water for a few minutes and experience hours of cooling delight against whichever part of your head you decide to position it. The hat floats if you lose it overboard, but it has a drawstring so you shouldn’t. And it’s khaki so the lions won’t spot you on that new hiking trail near Satara. R350 at Cape Union Mart

5 Oakley Frogskins The original Frogskins put Oakley on the map in the 1980s. The new ones have the same retro design, with much better lenses and frames made from lighter, stronger plastic. A nice touch is that the arms pop off if you accidentally sit on them – and they’re easy to reattach. There are lots of colours and lens options: Get polarized lenses if you spend time on or near the water (polarized lenses cut down on glare) or choose Prizm lenses if you want to look at the world through an Instagram filter (the technology does something funky to colour wavelengths to make everything appear brighter and more vivid). All Oakley lenses offer excellent UV protection. From R1 200 at retailers like sunglasshut.com

6 Striped Sarong Like a Buff, a sarong is an indispensable travel item. It’s especially useful on a paddling trip: Throw it over your legs in the boat to save them from being braaied by the sun and use it as a towel to dry off after a dip in the river. Find a secluded beach and lay it down on the sand for a nap, or wrap it around yourself if a chilly wind picks up. This one measures 100 cm x 190 cm – about the size of a big beach towel. R199 at Spree

7 UV Buff Bandana The iconic cylindrical accessory was made famous by Survivor when the series first aired 17 years ago. These days you’ll see a Buff on every hike, trek and mountain-bike trail in the world. Use it in combination with a floppy hat to protect your neck, or wear it under your cycling helmet to protect your ears. Wrap it around your arm as a sweat band or wear it like a bandana if it’s cold. Just go buy one. R260 from Cape Union Mart 8 K-Way Arm Cooler Plus These stretchy sleeves are great for active pursuits like hiking, biking and paddling. Made from moisture-wicking, breathable UPF50+ fabric, they’ll save your arms from becoming bacon and keep them cool at the same time. The “Plus” version featured here has thumb holes so you can protect the backs of your hands, too. R150 at Cape Union Mart 9 Wave Kids Legionnaire Hat The best hat for a young child is one that stays on her head and doesn’t interfere with playing. This soft, stretchy cap has a neck flap for all-round protection, and the waterproof material is rated UPF50+. It’s soft and comfy and hopefully little Ella will forget she’s wearing it, but it also floats should it accidentally get bumped off her head in the Uvongo lagoon. R190 at Sportsmans Warehouse 10 Second Skins Kids Rash Vest and Bottom Set Sunscreen is important, but applying it to a writhing four-year-old is no fun. Rather just pull a rash vest over his head. This neat, locally made one has long arms for extra protection and a UPF60 rating. It comes with bottoms, too. Just add the Wave Kids Legionnaire hat and you’re sorted for a morning on the beach. R440 at Sportsmans Warehouse

11 Natural Instincts Easy Pitch Deluxe Gazebo

This huge 3 m x 3 m shade-maker was much easier to put up than I thought it would be. (I managed on my own in about five minutes.) The frame has a spider design that folds out and clicks into place and the UPF50 cover attaches using Velcro fasteners. The whole thing can be secured with guy lines and pegs if necessary and side walls are available for R395 each. It’s great for a long day on the beach, for camping or even for a braai in your garden. Collapsing it is just as easy and the carry case has wheels to help you get it back to the car. It weighs 19 kg and it’s quite long when packed – fine for a Fortuner but tight for a Tazz. R2 195 at Outdoor Warehouse

12 Eco Outdoors Umbrella Spike

If you’ve ever worked up a sweat trying to jam the pole of your beach umbrella into a patch of unhelpful ful sand, only to watch the umbrella tumble umble away in the wind minutes later, you ou need this spike. It works just as well on n grass. It’s a lethal object, though, so mind ind where you stash it in the car for the drive down to the coast. R110 at Outdoor Warehouse ehouse

13 Natural Instincts nstincts Instant Beach h Shelter

Once you’ve used this clever contraption you’ll never go back to o a beach umbrella. Unfold the arms, snap p them into place and boom! Shade. There’s ere’s enough room for mom, dad and two o kids to sit inside and there’s a mesh window ndow on the back wall for ventilation. There ere are pouches on the sides that you can fill with sand to stop your shelter from om blowing away and four storage pockets ets on the inside for your cellphone, sunscreen, nscreen, car keys and the latest copy of f go! If it’s really windy you can secure it with guy lines (supplied) and it will even keep you dry in a downpour. Folding g it up is a doddle and the carry bag has some breathing room so you can stuff ff the shelter in without folding it like the machine did at the factory. R1 350 at Sportsmans s Warehouse