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Board shorts?

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kelamist
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Board shorts?

Postby kelamist » Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:15 am

When I first started kiting around 9 years ago everyone was wearing board shorts over their wetsuits, so I did the same. I still chuck my boardies on over my wetsuit to this day out of habit really but I am noticing now that not so many people do anymore.

Not sure what the reason for wearing boardies was in the first place?

You guys still wear them? why do we wear them again? :D

Surfkiternew
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Re: Board shorts?

Postby Surfkiternew » Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:31 am

Usually Save the back of wetsuit if u Sit around ...and u have pocket to carry things ..old fashion many people wearing here again. I think now 50% ..strapless more

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Re: Board shorts?

Postby nothing2seehere » Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:25 am

I think it was a dual purpose idea in the first place.

1. It was supposed to be an ironic statement to the guys in hot countries that didn't wear wetsuits. Sort of a - 'Look at the lovely weather we have. So hot we are wearing boardshorts too'. (I remember this being a windsurf thing first but might have been copying kiteboarders at the time)
2. It was supposed to protect the single sided neoprene (smooth surface) wetsuits so they lasted longer. I remember this being more a thing from windsurfing with the nappy harnesses that had ratchet buckles so was easy to nip the neoprene and make a small hole.

Ignore the crowd and wear what you like. I don't wear them anymore and I don't miss the extra soggy fabric soaking the car. For a modern fashion statement - go for a Borat mankini over the top of your wetsuit. :o

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Re: Board shorts?

Postby Herman » Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:32 am

I look at it the other way round. Wear something under your boardies, they can get ripped off in a really good wipe out if you’re using a waiste harness.

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Re: Board shorts?

Postby Trent hink » Wed Jun 09, 2021 10:43 am

The fact is that this trend came into fashion closer to 19-20 years ago.

I follow it off and on, depending on whether or not I have split the crotch in my current wetsuit.

If anyone remembers, there was a brief period where kite pants also came into fashion, probably for the same reason... no briefs.
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Re: Board shorts?

Postby Surfkiternew » Wed Jun 09, 2021 11:42 am

Since i use them no more broke wetsuit..and pocket for my GoPro

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Re: Board shorts?

Postby Toby » Wed Jun 09, 2021 12:32 pm

Fashion.
Never liked the look of the neoprene.
Barely kite in the cold anymore, but if, will wear shorts over wetsuit for sure.
Plus it protects the neoprene as well.
Win win

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Re: Board shorts?

Postby Robsw6 » Wed Jun 09, 2021 12:33 pm

Image

I'm going misty eyed :D
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Re: Board shorts?

Postby Faxie » Wed Jun 09, 2021 12:38 pm

Yeah I remember this. The excuse was 'torn wetsuits' but a lot of guys wearing the boardshorts were pretty young and part of the 'cool guys', they rode RPM's quite often because it was all the hype (at least over here, probably because Youri Zoon was killing it on RPM's at the time)

I haven't seen boardshorts for at least 5 years now.

I recently had to repair my wetsuit in the back after some visits to a spot with oysters on the ground, so I guess the 'torn wetsuit' excuse had some merit to it.

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Re: Board shorts?

Postby grigorib » Wed Jun 09, 2021 1:30 pm

The main reason I heard was guys being afraid to look “gay”

That aside there’s very practical purpose which is - if you can ride hard, if you’re very good and stand out on water, wear something distinct to be seen and recognized


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