Very OT: Surfing prescription goggles

[slidey]

Caveat: Trying to get into the surfing thing, so all my impressions are made-up. Feel free to correct/educate me wherever necessary.

I have an issue seeing things in the distance without my glasses (-5 ish), and the last time I tried surfing I donated my glasses to the ocean. There's a smarter dolphin somewhere down there! In any case, I continued without glasses but can't help thinking to myself it'd be a damn sight more enjoyable if I were able to see things better around me, instead of just going by shapes, etc. Do any of you feel the same way, or do you prefer to go without glasses? If you do resort to eyewear, then what do you do for prescription? Who are the vendors who do this reliably, and what is your feedback? If you know someone who uses such eyewear and is happy, feel free to pitch in as well.

EDIT: Cost estimates for stated options, if available, would be very useful!

[Keith A]

Don't know anything about these, but they maybe worth looking into...
http://www.seaspecs.com/

[Ken Robb]

Years ago I got a pair of snorkling goggles/mask and had an optician install my -4 prescription in them. Rather than try to achieve a good seal with the new lenses he ground the prescription on the back side and left the front of the new lenses flat. Then he glued the flat side of the prescription lens to the flat side of the stock lens inside the mask/goggles. They worked great for snorkling, body surfing and boogie-boarding.

[josephr]

had very good success with these...

http://www.sablewateroptics.com/

[Hank Scorpio]

I surf in contacts all the time, I guess that isn't an option in your case? Try to keep my eyes closed ducking under waves but occasionally lose a lens or two a season.

[slidey]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

I had come across SeaSpecs via the customary internet search as well but wanted to check for experiences, with the possibility of asking Q's before putting down money for it. The Sable one's look pretty decent too, but might have to pass on them as I've seen some other reviews where people have used the SeaSpecs for all manner of sports, and I could potentially use it for riding.

Contacts, sadly are not an option. I've never been able to get a contact lens to nestle in my eyes for even a second.

[#campyuserftw]

Enlarge, worth a read fwiw:

http://www.surfersjournal.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_full/8_3%20voice%20of%20wave.jpg

Cheers

[professerr]

I too use contacts all the time while surfing -- definitely the way to go if your prescription allows. Duck diving, big swell, wipe outs -- they almost always stay put and I've never lost both lenses at the same time. I've only lost 2 or 3 lenses in the past 5 years, and since they are disposable it doesn't really matter. Some shapes seem to stick better than others.

Even better, Nike used to make prescription contacts that were tinted, so it was like wearing sunglass contacts -- they provided excellent visibility, although they tinted everything sort of orange. I still have a couple pair that I'm saving for Hawaii.

[BeachLady]

Rx SeaSpecs are awesome. Affordable and super comfortable strap keeps them on your head. One of my friend's has a 5 in his prescription and they made a pair for him. Lots of frame color options, polarized lens are standard. Don't lose my contacts anymore - I leave them at home :hello:

Get order info at on their FAQ page - http://seaspecs.com/html/FAQ.html.