Online Surf Shop – Shop Southern California at Home!

By Olivia Stanford

My nephews told me they were on the lookout for a great online surf shop.

“What’s the big deal?” I asked them. They told me that the best surf shops are on the West Coast. I told them they needed to do some surfing online to find great deals and products, no matter where you live!

What Can You Find at an Online Surf Shop?

Surfing, skateboarding and inline skating disciplines have become almost synonymous, with devotees of these pastimes sporting the same, (if not, then very similar), clothing and accessories.

It’s an attitude that people who love these sports display.

Online surf shops provide a number of things, including surf and wake boards, protective clothing, surf and wakeboard gloves, wetsuits, skating and surfing equipment as well as apparel for those times when you aren’t on the water or your board.

Interestingly, protective clothing now includes such things as rash guards, originally designed to safeguard skin from surf and sand irritation. Today, a rash guard also protects against sun exposure, with many of these shirts providing an SPF of as much as 50.

Considering that typical sunscreen – that washes off in water or with perspiration – has an SPF of 30, rash guards are a great innovation!

In addition to long and short sleeve rash guard shirts, there are boxer shorts made of the same rash guard protective fabrics. You can find both shirts and shorts available in adult mens and womens sizes, and there are also sizes specifically for children.

Accessories for surfing and skateboarding are available, too, with things like board fins, leashes, wax, board bags and racks for travel, books and dvds on improving your skills, and more. If you’re looking for a great board, you can find these at an online surf shop as well.

Online Surf Shops Have Joined the 21^st Century – They Ship Anything!

Something that used to be more cost prohibitive is shipping your chosen surf boards or accessories. Today, though, with the internet, many online surf shops have taken the step of offering free or reduced shipping costs.

Most online surf shops now offer free shipping on purchases of more than $100 or $125, or a reduced shipping expense of say $5 or so for $50 orders. You’ll want to check the terms of each online surf shop, but you may be pleasantly surprised.

This way, you can shop in comfort at home, find the best deals and have them shipped right to your door. And you aren’t penalized (have to spend more $$) if you buy online. With free shipping, you end up spending the exact same amount as if you walked in the door of the store!

I love shopping this way!

This allows even the smallest surf and skateboard specialty retailers to compete successfully in a global market.

Online Surf Shops Carry All the Major Brands, Plus More

You can find O’Neill, Lost, Hurley, Lost Enterprises, Dakine, Billbong, Quiksilver, Roxy and more.  Surf gear is the rage these days, and many online retailers who do not specialize in surfboards are carrying surf products.

Plus, you may find some products carried by these online surf shops that are brand new on the market.

This is because surf and skateboard enthusiasts often come up with innovations to make surfing or skating more safe, fun or practical. Perhaps there is a new stunt that someone has developed a tool or piece of equipment for.

This may be something as simple as a new type of wax that has been developed, or maybe some new type of skateboard wheels or surfboard shape.

The internet has allowed enthusiasts who have a touch of entrepreneur in them to create and market their new innovation. Many online surf shops are delighted to carry these new products because that places them on the cutting edge of new technology in the sport.

So whatever your interest, you can find clothing, equipment, apparel and accessories at an online surf shop.

By Pauline Rausch

Popular among the surf and skater crowds, Stussy clothing is unique.

Shawn Stussy originally started a small business when he handcrafted surfboards in the early 1980s. He started to sign his boards, and then expanded into clothing articles like caps, t-shirts and shorts. Shawn would sell the clothing out of his car near Laguna Beach, California.

Popular Among the Surf and Skater Crowds

Today the brand has gained widespread popularity among disc jockeys (DJs), hip hop, reggae musicians, the surf and skater crowds and more. It has earned recognition as a “streetwear” line, with young people the world over sporting Stussy clothing.

Wide Variety of Apparel and Accessories

The Stussy line now includes a wide variety of apparel and accessories, including t-shirts, pants, shorts, jackets, sweatshirts, baseball caps, cuff beanies, backpacks, purses and more.

In 2008 Stussy opened the Boneyards line, which got its name from an unrevealed surfing location in California. This fall, 2010, Boneyards II: Conspiracy will be introduced. Many stores also carry Nike SB kicks.

Where Can It Be Purchased?

Stussy clothing can be purchased online at Amazon and several other online retailers. There are apparel items for both men and women, and prices range from about $22 to $39 for a t-shirt. Most people buy online since there are only about 60 stores worldwide, according to 2008 data. Store locations currently include San Francisco and Laguna Beach, CA, and SoHo, New York.

Distinctive Logo

The clothing line can typically be recognized by its distinctive logo, penned by Shawn Stussy on his original surfboard designs. The logo is characterized by its two intertwined “S” figures, one front-facing and the other backward-facing.

Streetwear

What kind of people wear Stussy?

The urban crowd wears this line, or those who want to be identified with a specific group or gang. Motorcycle riders, surfers, skateboarders and others will typically sport Stussy clothing.

Young people who want to identify with a “bad boy”, gang or surfboarder group will wear this clothing line. It promotes a sense of rebellion, which many young people are wanting to emulate. This may not have been what Shawn Stussy originally had in mind, but clothing trends sometimes gain a life of their own, independent of their beginnings.

Reviews are Mostly Positive

Reviews state that the apparel is comfortable and easy to take care of, with most items being machine washable. Two things most reviews mentioned was that Stussy can slim your wallet, and that the store is primarily stocked with men’s items and only a limited amount of women’s items.

Many have noted that 20 years ago in high school Stussy was popular and then just sort of fell off the edge of the earth. The Stussy clothing line is back today, stronger than ever, but now promoting the “California lifestyle.” The stores seem to be modeled after high end boutiques.

Check for Your Measurements

One complaint noted that the apparel seems to be designed for “skinny” people and laments that there isn’t more to fit larger bodies. The review complained that the extra large fit more like a size medium. If you’re able to visit a store, then be sure to try on your clothing choices before you leave to make sure they fit.

If you buy online, be sure to check the measurements of the apparel so that when it arrives, you’ll be a happy camper!

By Zoe Whitfield
If there is one thing that I have noticed about women is that they are very particular about the clothing that they wear including bikini tops or bottoms. In today’s fashion world they make bikinis for all different types of women sizes and frames.

Many women have a different preference when it comes to swimwear, for those women who are on the plus size they may want a bigger top and a wider bottom fit. Some store actually sell bikini wear by the season or by the color all depending on what shops that you want to journey off to. You can even get a surf bikini to match your surf board and your shoes if you want to go that route.

There are many different styles of bikinis and designs that a girl can choose from, like for example if you want to give your bra and extra boost or lift you can try to get a surf shack bikini or a Roxy surf bikini and that’s if you want to have a sexy exotic look to your outfit. What I like to see on a woman is the kind of tops that have a very unique design on them like their nickname or an object or the island man at the beach. I love seeing something that is completely original.

Now when you think about the cost of some of these surf bikini tops and bottoms you might be saying to yourself “these outfits sure sound expensive” when actually it isn’t. You can find some of these of as little as 20 to 30 dollars but that all factors in where you live and what state you are in at the time. If you want to be creative from what I have seen a lot of my friends do when they are in a really big crunch for money is they would take some really old clothes whether it be shorts or a shirt, and take them to a surf shop and have them to make them into swimwear by trimming them down and putting designs on them for a low price.

What I have also seen most girls do is they will buy the complete outfit as a whole, that includes the top, and the bottom half in the exact same color red or ocean blue and throw in the flip flops.

Jack Griffith

Let’s face it people in the west and the Midwest and some parts of Miami, us guys cannot survive without our surf shorts, it what makes going to the beach some much more fun to enjoy. Truth be told some of guys like to wear Speedos and some of us like to wear your traditional swim wear, hey to me I say each his own.

Now some of us like to be sporty and fashionable when it comes to what we wear even if it is only men’s surf shorts. If you like to more traditional looking style you might want to go ahead try getting some plain black or white shorts considering they can go with pretty much anything you have on. Now if you wanted to look a little more stylish then you could try rocking some shorts that designs on them like palm trees or leaves or even the picture of the ocean.

Basically it all depends on what you want to represent, I personally know of people who have their own surf teams and that they specialized shorts that they wear when they are competing in tournaments in order to distinguish themselves from the crowd of people watching them.

Now what I have seen lately on a lot of people is custom made shorts, that’s when you buy plain shorts and you take them to a custom shop and have them put the design that you want on your clothing whether you draw it or the person doing the printing on the clothing is doing it. That alternative can be cool if you want to be original and don’t want to look like everyone else.

What I do like about certain men’s surf shorts is that you can buy accessories that can match up with the shorts themselves like pica shells or a necklace made of shark teeth (my favorite kind of necklace by the way), or a surf wallet that could be the same color as the shorts. I know of some shops that sell men’s surf shorts and they also sell the different shirts to go with them, some shops they might even sell the surf board along with it.

Really when it all comes down to it what you are comfortable wearing as far as swimwear depends on your sense of style and the statement that you want to make.

By Jack Kelly

The summer months are fast approaching, and as the weather slowly gets warmer, the pools begin to open and vacation plans get made. Yes, summer is the time to get new clothes, and what is a new summer wardrobe without a new pair of men’s boardshorts? With the wide variety of styles and brands available it should not be difficult to find a pair to perfectly match your style.

Whether you shop only at local value stores such as Target or Wal-Mart, or you shop at department stores or high end clothing stores, you can find the perfect pair of men’s boardshorts. Mossimo and Merona are popular brands at Target, and with an average price of only $14-$20, the deal is difficult to beat. But for authentic men’s boardshorts straight from the brands that understand them the best you need to check out west coast brands Billabong, Hurley, Quicksilver, and O’Neill. Annually they sponsor hundreds of professional surfing competitions and design their boardshorts to withstand punishment and last for a very long time.

Typically these shorts will be very flashy, with vibrant colors and blanketed with designs and patterns. The theme is usually tropical and they have a very laid-back, surfer tone to them, which is only reinforced with the surfboard waxer that comes attached to the tag on most pairs. They are definitely not only for younger audiences, but for those who want to be a little more adventurous with their swimwear.

New shorts by O’Neill, called Superfreak shorts, come equipped with ultraflex neoprene stretch inset panels, which makes the boardshorts extremely flexible and stretchy. This allows for maximum comfort and movement. With the neoprene material, the shorts don’t hold in the water when they get wet, making them much more comfortable to wear even after getting in the water.

So as the deadline for your big tropical vacation nears or the pool in your area begins posting notices of the opening day, are you ready with a pair or two of men’s boardshorts? Will you wear the same ones you’ve worn for years or decide to think outside of the box and get something a little different? Summer sales are happening at clothing stores everywhere and in only a couple of weeks they will all end and the only things on sale will be coats for winter.

Surf Shirts – More than Just a Pretty Face!

By Eddie Mercury

Surf shirts are flamboyant and fun to look at, especially if an individual lives in paradise.

For example, he or she could live in California, Hawaii, Japan, or even Hong Kong. These are also places where people go surfing. The waves get high, people are wet and they enjoy the heat and each others’ company.

This makes life grand.

Surf Shirts Can Provide Sun Protection

In addition, there are surf shirts that are designed to protect the surfer’s skin from sun exposure and surf and sand irritation.

Protective surf shirts are called “rash guards,” and the newest technology provides significant SPF sun protection — as much as SPF 50!

This is much more protection than sunblock provides, since the highest sunblock is currently about 45 SPF, and it tends to wash off in water or with perspiration.

Surf Shirts Come in a Wide Variety of Colors and Styles

Surf shirts come in a variety of colors and themes. They could have a palm tree with a house on it, or a plethora of colors mixed together without making a 70′s look.

These easily catch a person’s eye, and it makes them want to buy them. Surf shirts are the best thing to wear. For example, an individual can easily stand out from the crowd when surfing, or wear them if he or she should get lost in the dark.

They make great identifiers, and demonstrate a person’s personality.

Surf Shirts Express Your Individuality!

The personality comes out when a person wears a surf shirt. The individual may go to parties, attract more friends, or go to the movies at a drive-in-theater.

Regardless, surf shirts are fun to wear, and can even go as far as relaxing someone who is very stressed out over life’s daily activities. Somehow they calm the mood and help someone take it easy, especially after a long day or week.

Without surf shirts, a person can easily become dull and boring. However, with one they become fun and interactive by learning new ways to blend in with the crowd as well as have fun surfing out in the ocean.

All sorts of designs are present, and that gives an individual many choices to choose from that fits his or her personality. Life becomes more fun with these kind of shirts, and the nice thing is that they are not a one size fits all.

Shop online for a wide variety of surf shirts!