A compression one-piece is your best bet.

Yes, you can find a swimsuit that stays put, but stop shopping at stores that sell triangle tops and string bottoms. For surfing or paddleboarding, you need fabric that fights back.

Look for a high‑nylon/low‑Lycra blend—thicker, stiffer, less stretchy than a fashion suit. Racerback or cross‑back straps, high‑cut legs that actually cover your butt, and either a full one‑piece or a high‑waisted bottom with a drawcord. Drawstrings matter more than you think. Brands like Roxy (Boardshorts line), Billabong (compression line), and Athleta (Powerhold) are built for this. If you insist on a bikini top, get one with a clasp in the back or a longline band that wraps under your ribs.

And be real: if you’re surfing in real waves, a wetsuit is the only thing that truly stays put. For paddleboarding, a compression one‑piece will let you fall in twenty times without adjusting.

Spend the extra $20—it’s cheaper than dropping your board mid‑wave.