Is there such a thing as "water shirts" that are used in the water and are lighweight and protect you from sun

Question

I want to go out in the water and be on the beach for 2 weeks all day in july and was wondering if anyone knew a good "watershirt" that is lightweight, dries fast, and does not absorb water so that when your swimming it weighs you down. I used a cotton tshirt and it protected from the sun but, when i swam in the ocean in Miami Beach it got waterlogged and weighed me down. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, with links or type of material used that is what im looking for. thank you

Answer 1

Sure there's such a thing.  What you should look for is a rashguard or quick wicking shirt, try one of these:

A rash guard like surfers wear:

http://www.sportchalet.com/product/index...

Or a basic workout tshirt that won't absorb water:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

Basically, you don't want cotton.  There are a lot of polyester and nylon fabrics that are available that won't hold onto water.  The walmart link is for a shirt that should allow your sweat to evaporate (rather than soaking into your shirt).  The same thing that allows the sweat to evaporate, or "wick" away from your body, will allow you to be in the water and swim freely.  

Lots of choices in shirts like that.   Have fun in the sun!

Answer 2

they make shirts called rash guards that surfers wear and they come in long sleeve and short sleeve and you can get them at any sporting goods store. they are supposed to be worn snug to your skin but you can always just get a bigger size so it will be baggier. the material is similar to under armour so its breathable and dries quick but protects you from the sun as well. have fun at the beach and i hope this helps