Sun protection for sports fans
September to April
Many popular sports such as cricket, tennis, golf, lawn bowls, athletics, surfing and triathlon experience their highest participation between September and April when ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels reach high to extreme levels in Victoria.
Whether participating in sport or just watching a game, especially when you are spending hours outside in the sun, protecting yourself using the five sun protection steps is particularly important.
In January, it can take as little as 11 minutes for the first signs of sunburn to appear. Even if you don't burn and have the type of skin that tans, spending this much time outdoors adds to your lifetime tally of UV exposure and can increase your risk of skin cancer.
May to August
In Victoria from May to August, when UV is below 3, sun protection generally isn't required when exercising or playing sport. In fact it is a good time to go without sun protection to get a safe level of UV exposure to help with vitamin D levels. The exception is if you are at high altitudes, near highly reflective surfaces like snow or spending extended periods outdoors (e.g. training for or competing in endurance events).
Also refer to:
- SunSmart UV Alert
- Outdoor event tips for planning a sun protective event
- SunSmart education services
- Contact us to discuss an article for your newsletter
