I have recently taken up a new hobby: sail cruising. And spending time on the water in sunny Queensland demands a couple of key personal “Slip-Slop-Slap-Slide” accessories: lots of sunscreen, a good hat, a long-sleeved shirt, and … sunglasses!

As it’s near impossible to sail safely without being able to see where you are going and where the channel markers are, I recently purchased a new pair of prescription sunglasses. However, it’s well known that water-based activities benefit from an amazing (and 70+ years old!) technology - polarization! According to Randolph USA:

Polarized lenses mitigate glare by using a chemical film either applied to or embedded in the lenses. The chemical filter on polarized sunglasses removes glare by absorbing the incoming horizontal light, while still allowing vertical light. What we perceived as glare is usually reflected horizontal light. The horizontal light that creates the effect of glare is absorbed and nullified by the chemical film on polarized lenses. The lenses only allow in vertical light, acting as a chemical venetian blind.

Polarized sunglasses are nearly essential for boaters and fishermen, because of the intense glare created by light reflecting off the water. However, they are also very helpful for outdoorsman, athletes, golfers, bikers, and anyone else who spends a lot of time outdoors. Additionally, polarized lenses help reduce eye stress for professional drivers who spend many hours on the road; light reflecting off the road and other cars can cause the effect of glare.

So, for the first time ever, I purchased a pair of polarized sunglasses. And after recently spending two weeks at TreeTops myself, WOW!, what a difference they make to a pleasant seaside holiday experience!

Not only was it safe and comfortable to protect my eyes from the strong sunshine (okay, even standard sunglasses can do that…), there was another Amazing Bonus Experience: DEPTH OF COLOUR!

We all know that the vistas and views in the Mission Beach area are stunning, but I’d always wondered why it didn’t look quite like the photos of a ‘tropical paradise’. Well, now I know the answer - polarisation! It makes the colours simply beautiful - no longer a bright, washed-out grey-blue, but a vibrant Azure-Turquoise. And no longer a wall of the same forest green, but hundreds of different shades of trees, vines, leaves, and distant mountains.

I think the best way to explain is with an actual example. Here are two images of the same photograph I took on a wonderful sailing trip during my recent visit: The one on the left is the effect without polarisation; the one on the right is with polarisation.

What an amazing difference! Even though the

What an amazing difference! Even though the first image is still beautiful, see how washed-out and dull the water and trees are compared with the second? That’s the effect of polaroid sunglasses! and it gets even better when you consider that they are attached to your face so that everything you look at all day long, benefits from this amazing effect!

My recommendation? Do yourself a favour and rush out to buy yourself a pair of polaroid sunglasses before coming to Mission Beach - don’t settle for an ordinary experience in this extraordinary place!