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Surfing

A Few Words About Board Shorts

I don't like knee length board shorts for a variety of reasons (1) I'm old school, I like shorts that ride about half way down the thigh. (2) Not being a teenager or into rapp I feel silly in this younger person's style. (3) I find long board shorts uncomfortable when sitting on my board. (4) I don't want a tan-line that leaves a third of my body lily white.

I've noticed that like most men's fashion, board short style hasn't changed for a very long-time. If you think about it, for more years than 'board shorts' have been around, men used to wear much shorter swimwear than is available today. At some point in time as basket ball shorts began to lengthen and rapp music gained in popularity, swimming shorts also gradually lengthened to the knee. There is no good reason for this length in the water, but that's what it has become. The days of mid-thigh length swimwear are totally forgotten. Most young people will have never even seen a pair of swimming shorts... emphasis on 'short'. Board shorts are not short, in fact if they were slightly longer they might be called calypso pants. What's happened to common sense?

For many of us who prefer shorter swimwear (not budgie smuggler/ Speedo short) there are almost no nice looking options available in any of the surf shops or other retailers that sell swimwear. There is a place for longer shorts off the beach. Board shorts are more appropriate than swimming trunks if you are shopping, visiting friends or going for a casual meal.

A couple years ago Speedo had a line of attractive loose fitting 'swimming trucks' that were 11" in length. They came in a variety of tropical designs and were very cool. I bought several pairs on-line and I still wear them. I often get asked where I got them. So this message is not about me trying to get what I want. This is an open suggestion to the trendy surf wear manufactures to consider. Why doesn't Billabong, Quicksilver et al also have a line of shorter board shorts?

Surfers are lead by fashion and the latest trends. I believe there would be many who would happily gravitate toward a whole new style, by this I mean shortening the length of board shorts to above the knee, and they would lap it up as long as it was launched through Billabong, Quicksilver, BadBoy etc. Men always want to see the girls on the beach wearing less yet they have become almost prudish about showing their thighs. I believe that girls/women think similarly and would be happy seeing the young dudes showing more of their bodies on the beach.

Submitted By Woody Dass on Nov. 02 , 2011

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Surfing

The Top 10 Things You Should Know Before You Marry A Surfer

1. Teeny tiny little specks of surf wax will appear on the floor, in the bathtub and on the porch.
Survival tip: Surfers, like your beach puppy, should be thoroughly washed outdoors, preferably at the beach. The specks have to be scraped up with a dull knife greased with a bit of butter. Having the surfer do it, well that's right up there with socks and dishes. Good luck.

2. "Pray for Surf" bumper stickers are on the spouse's car, not the surfer's.
Survival tip: Long spell with no swell, makes long boarders short. Try to distract the surfer who is suffering with pro sports team tickets and favorite meals. Arrange play dates for your spouse with fellow surfers. Pray for surf. Did I mention pray for surf ?!

3. Surfboards of all colors and lengths will take over the garage.
Survival tip: Treat the boards as decorating accessories. Build racks to display them as art. Any board that has not been ridden in three years must be eliminated before a new board is allowed.

4. Surf jargon can be alarming.
Survival tip: Warm water "sex wax" is really, truly, honestly an implement for surfing and it is O.K. for your surfer to use it without you. "Goofy foot" is not a genetic defect; it's only a left footed surfer. The "green room" is not where you wait for a TV appearance, its being inside the barrel of a wave.

5. Be Aware of Surfer's Time which must be converted to regular time by adding two hours to any planned beach visit.
Survival tip: Add two hours because surfers need an extra 45 minutes because they are so stoked they can't miss the next set (or two or three), plus 45 more minutes because they have to wait for a wave to ride in (or two or three), plus 30 more minutes to hash over the session with other surfers. Buy them a waterproof watch.

6. Neoprene wetsuits stink.
Survival tip: Do not let these in your closet. Ever. Five or more can result in inspections and fines from OSHA.

 
7. Surfers bring sand to bed.
Survival tip: If you feel romantic, shower with your surfer spouse, washing their hair thoroughly. Otherwise, fluff the sheets to blow off as much sand as you can.

 
8. Surfers careen down a highway at 60 miles an hour while watching sets of waves instead of the road.
Survival tip: If he's over 40, he's been doing this so long he knows how to do it. If he's under 40, you drive.

9. All vacations must be within a 30 minute drive of surf.
Survival tip: This is not as bad as you think. They surf in England, France, Ireland, Ecuador and Brazil, not to mention Bali, Fiji and Florida.

 
10. Surfers can't remember your anniversary or the children's birthdays, but can remember the exact date of the last swell, and recount every wave they rode during the swell.
Survival tip: This surfer amnesia is caused by extensive exposure to saltwater. This is your life, you chose it, and . . . . it’s wonderful. Enjoy!

Submitted By Penny Pedd on June 12 , 2008

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