Board Shorts - originator

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

Ok, first off, I do not intend to rehash the board short debate -there are plenty of threads on that topic.

But I am curious as to who started this trend? Really - who was guy? Lets find the fellow who one day said, "You know what, I think I'll don a pair of board shorts over this wet suit."

I presume it didn't start in Hawaii, its too warm for wetsuits. Am I presumptious to theorize that it started in the Gorge. Or maybe its a Euro thing - unfortunately that actually does sound plausible.....

So think back in time to C-kites, shackles, a thin sliver of sand called the spit.

Who was the first guy to wear board shorts over his wetsuit and launch a revolution!

A.K.

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

The first kiter I ever saw in the Gorge was Lou and Elliot when they came for the gorge games in 1997. I would say it was them since they were pretty much the first kiters ever.

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

97! thats early. Ok, so we got two OGs wearing trunks. And they were specifically wearing them over wet suits? Thats the key here.

Perhaps someone was sponsored by OP (Ocean Pacific)? Did someone have a hole in their wetsuit they were trying to cover? Who started this? Whats the backstory?

-A.K.

ericvs · Since 05 Jul 2008 133 Posts Stoked

Don't know who started it, but my guess is some dude was standing around and realized that this is what the group looked liked and decided to easily fix the situation by tossing some shots over that mess.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I heard it was the same guy who invented the word kook. Wink

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

The first guy was a euro but he wore a speedo over his wetsuit.

1surfer · Tue Jun 21, 11 10:52 am **Shorts**

I recall wearing board shorts over my wetsuit back in the 80's.
It was specifically because I had a big rip in the crotch of my wetsuit and didn't want my junk hangi'n out.

Spider Monkey · Since 15 Jul 2007 36 Posts Columbia City

I started wearing board shorts over my wet suit because during my kook years I kept ripping holes in the ass of my wet suit. Which was embracing when it happened and after words when there was a large glob of glue on my ass. So there is some function to the trend. Don't know who started but maybe this is why.

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

I used to wear boardshorts over my wetsuit windsurfing back in 1997ish, not sure what influenced me to do that.....

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

Why are people so worried about what other guys wear?

You know who else cares about what people wear?

Marmot · Since 08 Aug 2007 108 Posts Lyle, WA Stoked

argos · Since 07 Apr 2010 66 Posts

Why are you ashamed of your junk?

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

STORMRIDER · Since 17 Jul 2007 229 Posts Stoked

while kayaking on the hood, whitesalmon,wind,little white, the klitysmack and all other white water back in the late 80's we donned board shorts over our wet suits so we would have something to wear after a paddle... we could strip of the rubber and warm in the sun, it was also much easier to hitch a ride if you didn't look soaking wet with your junk bulging out.. I remember Hitching a ride with some dude from the windranch, we were listening to victor the inflictor give a wind update on the radio, before I jumped in in I whipped off the wet suit and put board shorts back on... the dude called my a kook.. I had never heard the term before, years later I've come to understand he innovated many things, sponsorship, static line kiting,short boards so why not board shorts! put board shorts on over that wet suit all you kooks, it been going on for decades!!!

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

harriet · Since 10 Jun 2007 64 Posts

I still rock kitepants when I wear my drysuit. (Our beach is brutal) Feeling like a Kook is an understatement. But it saves the suit.

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 853 Posts Seattle Opinionated

I'm pretty sure this originated with wakeboarding and transferred over to kiting.

wetsuit with no shorts was a major party fowl in wakeboarding from what I remember. especially considering you have a boat load of people watching you the whole time you ride.