Board Shorts, like any other kind of clothing, are about more than just looks. When you’re in the market for a new pair of Board Shorts you’ll want to consider what you plan on doing in them. Are you surfing or wakeboarding? Are you going to wear them while hanging around town before taking a dip into the pool? Or are you just hanging out by the beach all day?

Don’t worry, it doesn’t get very complicated but take a look at the information below so you know the best kind of Board Shorts to purchase.

Lengths:

Board Shorts come in various lengths, the shortest at 19 inches and longest at 22 inches. This is measured from the middle crotch of the Board Short to the leg.

• A 19 inch length is the shortest you’ll find. They offer more of a retro look. Like many styles of the past, these are making a little bit of a comeback
• A 22 inch length is most likely going to be the longest. If you have long legs or just want more coverage, this might be the best option for you.

The majority of Board Shorts come in between the two lengths mentioned above.

Fabrics and Construction:

This is where you’ll want to consider which Board Short is right for you based on the activities you plan on participating in. Here are the kinds of fabric you’ll most likely encounter.

4-Way Stretch fabrics are super light weight. They stretch in four different directions providing you with great mobility. They also dry really fast. These Board Shorts tend to be pricier because of their high performance abilities and are ideal for the surfer or wakeboarder who needs that mobility.

2-Way Stretch fabrics have a more horizontal stretch as opposed to the 4-Way Stretch which is both horizontal and vertical. While still comfortable, super light and fast drying, these shorts offer slightly less mobility. This is a good choice for someone participating in average activity like a beginner surfer, water-skier or someone who likes going to the pool a lot.

Micro Suede is soft with a satin feel. They still dry fairly quickly but lack the stretch. If you’re swimming in the pool or at the beach, you’ll be comfortable in these lower-price-point pair of Board Shorts.

Hybrids

Hybrids – Quickly becoming one of the most casual, user-friendly shorts out there, Hybrids allow you to roam around the mall, the restaurants or run errands and are designed to look like your every day, average pair of shorts. They come in cargo short designs, golf shorts and more. These are perfect if you’re hitting a few shops near the beach followed by heading into the water or if you’re hanging out with friends with the intent on visiting the beach.

What to Wear Underneath:

Board Shorts are designed to be worn with nothing underneath for optimal comfort and function. Wearing boxers or briefs underneath can cause chafing and increase drying time when out of the water. But if you really feel you need something to wear under your board shorts or have sensitive skin, consider a pair of lycra or spandex shorts. They provide extra protection against chafing and chill when worn under your shorts.

Additional Info:

• Ties – The tie on the waistband should have a grippy feeling so they don’t come undone.
• Fly Closure – Although not all Board Shorts have fly closures, some just have a waistband you can tie tighter, many come with fly closures, typically these closures are Velcro.
• Seamless - Many companies are offering Board Shorts that are seamless. Whether it’s called Hydrofuse (by Oakley) or Hyperfreak (by O’Neill), a seamless pair of Board Shorts reduces the chafing and rashing as well as lessen the chances of tearing.
• Anti-Microbial – Many companies are rolling out Board Shorts with anti-microbial treatment. Your Board Shorts are going to spend the day outdoors, in-and-out of the water and are susceptible to picking up bacteria and microbes that you wouldn’t want anywhere near your skin. Anti-Microbial treatments greatly reduce this from happening.
• Pockets- Many Board Shorts come with one or more pockets. Mostly these pockets are for fashion purposes only, but they may come with goodies inside such as a wax comb or a bottle opener.

The benefits of using a Watersports Helmet will vary depending on the sport.  Check out the information below to see what works best for you!

How to find the helmet that fits

First off, the helmet should fit on the head with the just above the brow.  This ensures that the forehead is well protected.  If it rides too high then you compromise its ability to protect you.

The padding in the helmet should offer a similar amount of pressure all the way around.  The skin on your forehead should move as the helmet is rotated.  If it doesn’t, then the helmet is too loose and needs adjustment or you need a different size; you don’t want the helmet compressing your head.

When you click the chin strap on, it should rest under your chin and shouldn’t have any slack.  If there is slack, tighten it up because if something happens it could knock the helmet off or move it around so you don’t get the benefit of protection.  Having too much slack may also move the helmet into an uncomfortable position or hinder your sight.  A situation like that will most likely happen at the most inopportune time.

Measuring Your Head

To correctly size a helmet you will want a flexible tape measure and starting at a point in the front where you can easily read the numbers you will want to measure the whole circumference of the head. Once you have gone all the way around note the number and refer to our size charts section for exact measurements for specific brands.

Wakeboard Helmet VS. Kayak Helmet

Can the helmet you use for wakeboarding also be used for kayaking?  If you’re reading this section then you probably can figure out the answer.

The answer is sure!

However, considering two different helmets is advisable.

Wakeboarding Helmets are your most standard kind of helmet.  Usually a half-shell like a bicycle helmet that covers the top of your head, forehead and back of the head, it tightens via a chin strap and doesn’t have any parts covering the ears.

A Kayak Helmet will tend to be a full, closed helmet, similar to a motorcycle helmet without the face mask (although masks and shields to cover the eyes and face are available).  The idea behind a kayak helmet is to have it fully cover your head, ears and chin in the event that the kayak rolls over. This will offer full protection against the unexpected conditions under the water.  Shallow parts of the river or lake can have rocks that don’t feel too good if they connect to the side of your head or cheek which isn’t protected with a conventional watersports helmet.

Both helmets can be used for both sports so decide on how rough you plan on playing.  A kayak helmet might work out best if you’re a wakeboarder who wants a little extra confidence riding on the rails or jumping off of platforms and a wakeboarding helmet can be a good choice if you kayak in deeper or calm waters.

What does the certification mean?

A helmet goes through a wide variety of tests that are designed to push the helmet to the limits.  Wakeboard helmets are certified through CEN (European Committee for Standardization).

Note though that not all helmets are certified.  Just because helmet is non-certified it does not necessarily mean the helmet won’t protect you.  Just because there is no certification it doesn’t mean you should disregard it.

Finally, most fatalities in water sports are due to drowning after concussion and not brain damage, so wear the right kind of helmet people and be safe.

P.S. Don’t forget your life jacket too.

It's always more fun to lounge in the sun with family and friends. The water lounges provide extreme comfort, relaxation and fun.  Water Lounges can handle from 2 persons (a cozy set up) up to 12 persons (party mode) or more depending on the size of the lounge.   Featuring a mesh cooling area to help you tolerate the summer heat and a boarding platform makes it easy to climb up. Added desired options (on selected water lounges) provide you with a waterproof MP3 storage box with built-in battery compartment and waterproof speakers lets you bring along your tunes to personalize your water fun in the sun experience. Many models have drink holders and a built-in cooler, you don’t have to go far for the complete party at your reach.   Constructed with heavy-gauge PVC strength, durability and stress free comfort.

The jungle gym that sits on top of the water, the Aquaglide Jungle Joe is a multi-tiered climbing structure with an interior splash zone. It's the fun of a playground that you can enjoy on a lake! Kids can hang out like they would on monkey bars and adults can relax in the splash zone. Through the Interloc System you can connect other Aquaglide items like slides and blast bags for even more fun. The Jungle Joe is designed with DuraTex, a commercial grade fabric reinforced PVC, which is Hot Air Welded for maximum strength and durability. It's excitement and fun!

A sunbather's dream! The Tahitian Chaise pool float by Rave Sports offers the ultimate comfort when lying in a pool on that sunny summer day. Featuring an inflated headrest, recessed cup holder, twin docking clips connect to islands or other pool lounges and comfortable seating. Once you sit in the Tahitian Chaise pool float you'll have the feeling of being taken away to a calmness feel of comfort, warmth of the sun, coolness of the water as you dip your feet, positioned in a relaxed seat and a cool beverage at arms length reach. Now, you just need your someone to hover over feeding you grapes.

Kids and even adults love the creature designs and innovations that Aqua Sports has been known for. The Island Hopper Gator Bounce and Slide water park is one the largest creature creations. This bouncer style Gator is a full-scale recreational water park! It allows the users to jump, slide or lounge on a large durable platform. The Gator Bounce and Slide has 2 swimmer access points with entries via the 3 step plastic ladder or from the extended floating tail. Both ends serve as slides and the 5-chamber design provides added stability and dimensional strength so plenty of users can bounce and enjoy. By the end of the day will have had a bit of a work-out and a cool down while exerting little effort and receiving fresh air kicked back comfort.

Summing up our Water Fun in the Sun, I have only introduced to you a few of the extraordinary water sensations that are available. Enjoy the outdoors, cool off in the water, experience something new, be creative, hang with family and friends and be safe.

Wetsuits used to have a “one size fits all” mentality until very recently. Now they are available in different designs depending on the sport, different thicknesses depending on the outside temperature and temperature of the water, and different types of layering.

Wetsuits are made with neoprene which is a synthetic rubber.

If you’re new to the wetsuit buying game or need a quick reference guide, this Wetsuit Buying Guide should help you.

THICKNESS:

If you’re unsure, always go thicker. It’s much easier to cool yourself down. Once you are cold though it is quite difficult to warm up.

The thickness of a wetsuit is listed as two numbers with a slash in between.

• The first number is the thickness in millimeters (mm) for the part of the wetsuit that covers the torso
• The second number indicates the thickness for your limbs.
• A number listed as 4/3 would mean 4mm in the torso area, 3mm in the arms and legs

Depending on the temperature of the water, you may also want to consider a Hood (usually detachable) and Booties (pirate gold…I mean, shoes). Booties are a great way to keep your feet warm if the water temperature is cold.

So, what thickness should you buy and should I get an additional coverage like a hood? Well, where are you going to be using the wetsuit? What is the temperature of the water? You know your body and how susceptible you are to getting cold so remember, always go thicker if you want warmer. Below is a standard suggested guide.

Remember that the water inside a wetsuit will match your body temperature; it will not automatically warm you up. It will maintain your warmth.

DRYSUIT VS. WETSUIT:

You will get wet in a wetsuit. The water comes in and warms up based on your body temperature.

A drysuit is meant to keep you dry but has little or no insulation. Therefore, you should be wearing clothes/insulation under a drysuit.

FIT:

So now that you’ve figured out where you will be using the wetsuit you want to make sure you get the right fit for a wetsuit.

They should be snug but not restrictive. A snug wetsuit presses against your body and is able to warm the water, therefore keeping you comfortable. If it’s too loose then the water won’t be as tight against your body and more water will flow through the suit and not warm up hence you’ll be colder. But you also want to be able to move, and if it’s too snug, then you won’t have very good mobility.

Here are some areas to pay attention to:

Neck - should be snug but this is an area you should pay close attention too. For men, have you ever worn a really tight tie? Not very comfortable, and neither is a tight-in-the-neck wetsuit. You don’t want to be uncomfortable and you don’t won’t want to feel restricted.

Wrists and Ankles – Both should be very snug. A lot of water will enter and exit the suit through these holes so the snugger they are, the less water that will enter.

Chest – If there is a zipper, it should be snug as well but not so snug hat you need a bodybuilder to close it up for you. If it zips too easily then you probably should try a size down.

STITCHING:

Believe it or not, stitching is very important. You want high-quality stitching or else water could seep inside, it may rub against your skin and irritate it or it could start to unravel.

Here are a few different styles of stitching and what they mean for your comfort:

Flatlock Stitching – Panels are stitched both on the outside and inside of the suit. Stitched seams are visible on the outside of the wetsuit. It’s a strong stitch that has been used forever. The downside is that water and air have a greater opportunity of seeping in.

Glued & Taped Stitching – Two pieces of neoprene (the material used on wetsuits) are glued together followed by a glue tape over the seam. It helps seal the suit creating a watertight and airtight wetsuit.

Taped Seams – This is a tape used over the stitches to create a powerful and near-indestructible seam. It helps prevents tears or leaks.

STYLES OF WETSUITS:

As always, temperature and intended use will determine the best style of wetsuit.

Full – A full suit is a one-piece suit that goes from the neck all the way down to the ankles keeping you (almost) completely covered. They are best if you’re going to be in water 65 degrees or colder.

Shorty – Just like the full suit but shorter. These are one-piece wetsuits with short sleeves and short legs to the around the knee.

Spring – Best used in warm water because they don’t have the best insulation, Spring Wetsuits are designed to keep you warm in water around 80 degrees and generally have a better range of motion than a Full Wetsuit.

Farmer John/Jane – They get the name as a hybrid of Long John’s and overalls that Farmers may wear.  Farmer Johns or Farmer Janes are two-piece wetsuits that are designed to cover your chest and legs. They look like overalls and are great if you have an odd leg-to-torso ratio.

Jackets – Wetsuit jackets insulate the upper body. If you want the warmth without the full wetsuit the jacket is good or if you want additional insulation over a wetsuit they work that way as well.

BACK ZIP VS. CHEST ZIP

A Back Zip has a zipper in the back, a Chest Zip has a zipper on the chest.

Okay, want a real difference?

A Back Zip is usually much easier to get into and out of. The zipper tends to go far down so slipping inside is simple which some find convenient if your hands are cold. With a Back Zip you have a little more restriction in your movements.

A Chest Zip Westsuit tends to fit easier around the neck and doesn’t have as restrictive of movement. They do tend to be a little difficult to get into and out of though because the opening is about the size of the shoulders.

WHAT DO YOU WEAR UNDER YOUR WETSUIT?

If you’re a guy you can get away with wearing nothing, unless you’re renting, then boardshorts or a bathing suit is a good idea. A rashguard will also suffice if you want a little extra insulation.

When it comes to a bathing suit though, less is more. Sometimes boardshorts have a tendency to ride up so a small, tighter suit might be the way to go.

For women, it is recommended a bikini top and bottom in warmer temperatures. For colder temperatures you can get away with shorts and a rashguard as well.

The best advice for both sexes is to go with what you find most comfortable depending on the temperature and try out different combos. While a three-piece Armani suit is ill-advised, your favorite bathing suit or boardshorts/rashguard might be perfect.

Just remember to wear what you would wear swimming. (Cargo pants and a T-shirt is NOT the way to go)