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I tried using a pair of polarized sunglasses for kiting in the surf. Just my fishing glasses from Walmart.
Everytime I would end up taking them off because I was having trouble seeing.
I couldn't discern the shape and depth of the waves.

At first, I blamed my troubles on dirty glasses, fog, water spots, sun angle, cloudiness, etc,
but finally came to the conclusion that the "glasses" were my problem.

Searching online, I could find only one other mention of my suspicions.
Everything else was just hype from companies selling product.

I've gone back to regular sunglasses for the waves and no more visibility issues!

Has anyone else had a similar bad experience with polarized in the waves?

I have tried to wear polarized sunglasses in the surf but could not cope with the interference. I have a very low tolerance for distortion and interference with my vision, however I need to reduce UV to my eyes (as I have surfed for over 30 years and have never worn sunglasses on or off the water). I am fascinated by your suggestion that regular are better than polarized and will watch for others' opinions on this.

I used a lot the Seaspecs grey and brown polarized.
The grey are a shit for watching small waves, obstacles, etc.
The worst experience was a whale that has 3 meters (aprox) of his back over the water and I didn't see it, when I get out of the water my friends was talking about what a nice experience was kiting near the whales. That happend in Ibiraquera and the whales were about 30 meters away from where my friends and I were kiting.
I took out the glasses and kited again, what a surprise the whales were there!!!

The brown polarized (as they are for cloudy days) allow to see more, and although not perfect I can see small waves, obstacles and low water.
Unfortunately last sunday I fall a bad jump and lost the brown glasses.
An advice: don't rely on the straps of the glasses, tie them to the wetsuit or lycra.

You are correct.

Polarised sunglasses are not good in waves,or even just chop.

They allow you the see through the water surface,so making it hard to judge a waves depth.

On the other hand they make the conditions look spectacular !!

The water takes on a beautifull Aqua color,and looks very clear. You can see the sand or reef on the bottom.

Hard decision...use or not use !

As I actually would prefer using Seaspecs-type but transparent clear or only very little tinted glasses (like e.g. some glasses for biking) instead of dark tinted ones I am just wodering if there are any available ot there ? Anybody got an idea ?



Mikell

The guys down in South Africa have been wave riding with non-polorized watershades for years now for exactly the same reasons. Check out http://www.watershades.co.za" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rockstar wrote:Polarised sunglasses are not good in waves,or even just chop.

They allow you the see through the water surface,so making it hard to judge a waves depth.

Exactly, you need the reflections of the water to show the contour of the chop/waves and polarization filters this away.

However, polarized glasses may let you discover the shark a second earlier so you will know what is chewing at you...

/Jens

cause steamed lens make u could see not clearly , lol
u try to be cool down without steamed lens , just kidding
i use spesea one as good no problem with me to ride small waves at dominica

try zealoptics. com. I use swapit, clear to dark, polarized or non polarized. They have a lost or broken plan. I myself haven't noticed the difference between pol. and non pol. as far as water texture. I have kited in both and only noticed I could see in the water a little better with polarized. I don't think polarized erases the water texture but does take some reflection away. Would you want the reflection taken away when kiting with the sun on the water??? Seems like when kiting in super sunny conditions less sun the better, weather a reflection or direct sun.

Hai,

windyway wrote:Has anyone else had a similar bad experience with polarized in the waves?

No. Let´s see how many pairs of sunglasses i have...5...and there have been others i have lost and replaced. 3 of my pairs of specs are polarized, 2 are not. Starting as a seakayaker i was very reluctant to use polarized glasses on water but then i found that my polarized but not most expensive glass lens model was my favorite for kayaking / kiting at summertime while i do wear my most expensive not polarized ones just in case i need to because they are designed to not hurt You in case of a wipeout.
I am very experienced in reading waves while seakayaking with both polarized and not polarized sunglasses and i don´t care about the difference at all.

Sea You: Klaus (c:E