By David Leadbetter
As a professional golf coach, I am very focused on the health and fitness component of a player’s performance. The game has so many positive health benefits but like anything where you are outside for long periods of time, sun awareness and protection are vitally important.
I was born in England but moved to Southern Africa when I was a young boy, so we grew up playing lots of sports and activities outdoors with lots of sun. Back then in the 60’s and 70’s skin cancer wasn’t really ever spoken about, and sunscreen may have been applied but mainly to the nose and ears to prevent peeling. Hats weren’t always worn either. We never had the level of knowledge about protecting ourselves as we do today.
I became more acutely aware when my father was diagnosed with Melanoma, no doubt as a result of overexposure to the sun. Sadly, he passed away from it and as a result I have become very conscious and proactive in protecting myself and my family from the negative effects of the sun and going for regular checkups to the dermatologist. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States but not only is skin cancer preventable, it’s highly treatable when detected early.
I was introduced initially to Coolibar through my wife Kelly, who grew up in sunny Arizona. Our dermatologist recommended I wear Coolibar’s sun sleeves to protect my arms since I’m outside for long periods of time. My wife Kelly had been a Coolibar customer for a while and selected some pieces for me. I especially liked the fashionable Erodym shirt with long sleeves and after that was sold. I have been wearing the products for a while now and really enjoy the style, comfort and performance of the products.
Over the years, awareness of sun protection has increased substantially and particularly within the golf industry but I think there is still a long way to go. My trademark has always been wearing a straw hat and sunglasses. I never leave home without them, plus SPF lip balm and a high quality SPF sunscreen.
I am really excited to be an ambassador for Coolibar and work with the team on developing new products and raising the awareness for sun protection.
