SANDinyourPANTS.com 000415- Loosen your grip on that plastic and yell: CHARGE!

Loosen your grip on that plastic and yell: "CHARGE!"

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Yep, that's Dave hamming it up for the camera. And that's a bird house if you can believe it ...pretty kooel, huh?! Just one of the things we noticed when we took our camera down to Dive N' Surf in Redondo.

It's that time of year when most of us are visiting our local surf shop for this year's model of trunks and that's where things started. For me it was kind of a cake walk; a story about new stuff writes itself. But then I started feeling guilty and decided I may owe you all something that at least sounds like a little effort. So I called Quiksilver and spoke to Eric Diamond, Head Designer for Quiksilver and asked what we could expect in trunks this year.

Eric explained that this year's boardshorts reflect more tonal prints, still florals, but more 'tonality.' More attention is being paid to fabric treatments that work to tone down prints. There will still be microfibers, but also more traditional fabrics with a worn look versus that bright 'just off the rack look.'

Though Eric did say that Quiksilver will continue to deliver designs utilizing new novelty fabrics also. I then asked if the lengths have changed. Eric answered that there will be a lot of 22" and 23" shorts this year and even some 18" sought by younger, more active kids like pro surfers who seek the flexibility of off-the-knee shorts, but that most will be the traditional 21" on-the-knee length.

Now I coulda called Roxy, Quiksilver's girl line, but I decided to make this year's female fashion call myself: Less is definitely more with a strong emphasis on see through designs; they're really in, MOD don't u-no! ...at least that's what I'm hoping for. Now on to some stuff.

*Neofins* ($69) are new this year. Kind of a flipper slipper with both around the heel and over the top Velcro straps for a better fit and comfort. This may not be obvious from Dave's oversized clams in the photo where we opted for the yellow fins instead of the blue that fit him. Along with the padded pocket Neofin's short blades	Neofins, don't judge 'em by Dave's feet.
with calibrated tip angles deliver maximum thrust, stability and mobility. Gotta admit, it looks like some overdue upgrades to fins.

Now here's something for your stick. One huge sticker. This Slap-on decal ($33) measures three feet, too big for the textbook, but just right for your board or Chevy van. Though I don't see it lasting on mom's refrigerator, it's sure to spruce up your big white walls of your first apartment. Smaller sizes are available on the opposite side of the display for $15 to $25. It's what to get the roommate when you've given him t-shirts three years in a row.

Now comes a subject I know nothing about, SCUBA. This contraption from Mares apparently integrates all of your diving needs in one vest for $1799. It's got a pressure gage, regulator and computerized this and that all built in. The couple of people I talked to about this got kinda excited about it. It is kinda James Bond-ish being able to escape assassins on the beach quickly by sliding into a complete system in seconds. Besides, instant buff up for us skinny guys. I asked about the price and was told the $1799 is comparable to buying all the components separately. Works for me.

Well, that brings us to this thing; we'll let their website do the talking: "Snap-2-it ($47) is a self-opening beach-mat, perfect for the beach, the pool, and the backyard. It snaps open, stays open, and magically collapses in one simple motion!" ...Hum... where to start?

Because our goal is too remain positive let me first say that you have to admit it takes real guts to try to improve on a towel. The spring loaded transformation from a pouch to a towel is no doubt clever, but I'm not sure exactly why we need a towel to do this. It does have a pillow. The first thing Dave said was that our Shawna who is sometimes into Vegas type bikinis would love it. Our Brad wondered how someone would dry themselves off with it since the metal ring remains taunt until you wrangle it back into a bag. Which brings me to that very point. Dive N' Surf's Danielle didn't hesitate opening it, but when I was done with photographing it I was afraid I would break it getting it back into the pouch stage. Looking at Danielle for help, she curiously called her store mate for assistance. We agreed to stand it out of the way until college boy Bradley felt up to the task. We cringed with doubt as he twisted it successfully back into its nest. Danielle commented that it was a demo item and they were selling it for $15. For that price it's worth it just for the conversation it will bring ...or you could take it up to Snow Summit, throw a little water on it and use it as a sled.

Well that's our shopping pit stop for this season and all the photos our little story can handle for this time. But as you can imagine it is just a sampling of what's out there and according to Dive N' Surf's head buyer Jon, new stuff is coming in daily. And oh yeah, in case you're wondering the bird houses are made locally and go for $150.

For our Madagascar readers, Dive N' Surf is located at 504 N. Broadway, in Redondo Beach. Phone them at (310) 372-8423 or find them on the web at: www.divensurf.com.

EP.
April 15, 2000