Mythological creatures portrayed as enchanting mermaids living under the seafaring surface, Sirenas can get away with opting out of sunscreen application by diving to the depths and avoiding a harmful beating of UV rays. As humans however, that privilege is null and void—with reddened, peeling skin a real worry. For avid triathlete, fitness instructor and radiologist Stefani Schuetz, hearing she had skin cancer at the age of 25 was the wake up call she needed to make a change in her active/outdoor lifestyle. “Let your mess be your message” resonates like a mantra with Schuetz, now a skin cancer survivor, as well as CEO and co-founder of Tri Sirena Athletic Apparel. Having overcome Stage 2 melanoma alongside her husband and co-founder Dr. Christian Schuetz, she built a platform to share her story and provide fellow athletes with the protective sports gear they may have never known they needed. As local dwellers of the Floridian sun, we remain at higher risk, especially with so many opting to sweat outside rather than inside a gym. The demand was there for a high-performance female line of apparel designed to properly shield those biking down the street or swimming laps in the pool. Launched in 2017, Tri Sirena has rapidly expanded in product and with bold, fun prints like Rainbow Nation, Tropic Like It’s Hot and Midnight Mermaid. The practical and polished line of triathlon attire includes cycle shorts, jerseys, swimwear, hats, skinsuits, gloves, socks and sports bras—all designed with high-quality, breathable fabric integrating 50 UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). As of recently, Schuetz introduced new UPF leggings to the fall collection, along with cooling sleeves that you can add to any t-shirt/tank top for additional sun protection. While predominantly an online store, the Tri Sirena team travels across the country from Lake Placid, NY to Augusta, GA, hosting events and spreading the good word. In October they’ll be in Kona, HI for the Ironman World Championship races to showcase Tri Sirena. “Our mission is to educate people, making sure that they are aware of how common and serious skin cancer is,” Schuetz says. “It’s so important to take care of your skin at a young age to prevent something like this from happening to you.”

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

PHOTO BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.