IODA Partners with Harken Derm

IODA would like to announce that we have signed a partnership agreement with Harken Derm, to promote sun safety with our Members and sailors. 

Sailor health and environmental health are important values for the Optimist Class. We believe that education and awareness to sun safety is an important key message for Optimist sailors who spend long hours out in the sun on the water.  

Harken Derm, a company based out of Wisconsin, USA has developed a premium mineral sunscreen called Ultimate Shield, that is formulated to work in the harsh sailing environment and is targeted towards the global sailing community. 

Its 100% mineral UV filter composition makes it environmentally safe for ocean health, while physically protecting the skin against sun damage.  The chemical formulations of many sunscreens have been shown to damage coral reefs and certain chemical UV filters are absorbed to the bloodstream.

The family of sunscreen and after-sun care products have been developed by dermatologist Dr. Edit Olasz Harken MD, PhD, an expert in the benefits of mineral sunscreen products for both health and safety and an internationally known high-risk skin cancer specialist.  

Dr. Harken confirms that “sun care and the prevention of skin cancer starts at a young age” which is supported by the data that 5 or more sunburns can almost double the risk of melanoma.  We believe that education and awareness to sun safety is an important key message that can save lives and it will resonate with the young Optimist sailors and their families around the globe.”  

Edit Harken adds,” also as important is the awareness of the damaging effect that the chemical-based sunscreens have on reef environments and our ocean health. We are excited about partnering with the International Optimist Class and to work together to deliver education and awareness programs on sun safety and ocean health to young sailors around the globe.”

Kevin Whitcraft, IODA President comments, “we are thrilled to be working with Harken Derm as a partner with the Optimist Class”.  Harken Derm is launching their product into three key markets in 2021 – East Coast USA, Florida & the Caribbean, and Spain. This strategy aligns perfectly with our North American Championship in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico: the European Championship is Cadiz, Spain and our World Championship in Lake Garda, Italy.  “Our goal is to partner with an organization that aligns with the values of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) that together, will increase the reach of both organizations through collaborating on education awareness, and the promotion of the sport of sailing. Sailor health and environmental health are important values for the Optimist Class.”

IODA and Harken Derm will collaborate on several social media programs over the coming year.  IODA will be selling the Ultimate Shield Sunscreen and  Daily Skin Repair at the North American, European and World Championships to help support the Optimist Class.