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Health & Fitness

Spring Shopping Guide For Surfers

This Spring Shopping Guide for Surfers will help you get prepared for the lingering winter weather, and the summer ahead.

Of the four seasons, spring is the most inconsistent and fickle. One minute it feels like summer has arrived, with it warm weather and sunshine. Then like the flick of a switch, rain and snow suddenly arrives, and it's winter all over again.

The surf is affected in a very similar fashion. In one week surf conditions can vary from a swell that gets Maverick's firing to surf so small you can barely catch waves with a longboard. Whether you're shopping for new clothes or the latest gear to get into the water, this Spring Shopping Guide for Surfers will help you get prepared for the lingering winter weather, and the summer coming ahead.

Noll Surfboards Retro Fish Surfboard

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Noll Surfboards is owned and operated by longtime surfboard shaper Jed Noll, son of legendary surfer Greg Noll. Noll Surfboards is located in San Clemente and feels more like a surf museum than a surf shop. It could take you hours of perusing all the amazing artwork, surfboards and apparel before leaving the shop satisfied that you got your fill. It's one of the premier surf shops in California. The Retro Fish Surfboard with a glassed on twin fin setup can handle overhead waves when leftover winter swells hit, and has enough width and thickness to catch waves when conditions are small. Jed Noll specializes in shaping custom boards, and his sticks are world class. Let him know what you're looking for, and Jed will shape it to perfection.

SUPERmastablasta Surfboard

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Founded by three of the greatest freesurfers in the world in Dion Agius, Clay Marzo, and Ry Craike, SUPERbrand Surfboards features a collective of shapers whose goal is to shape the most innovative surfboards available. The SUPERmastablasta Surfboard is suited for all conditions, perfect for the inconsistent spring surf.

Noll Stretch Boardshort

The Noll Stretch Boardshort is the modern update to the original Jail House Trunk, featuring Recycler Zero Gravity fabric (87 percent recycled polyester / 13 percent spandex) and special collaboration patch detailing. Comfortable, and you get to wear the same digs Greg Noll used to wear.

Quiksilver Cypher Kelly Nomad Boardshorts

Quiksilver has arguably the two best surfers in the world on their team, and they both have two of the best boardshorts available. The Cypher Kelly Nomad Boardshorts is one of them. Featuring Kelly Slater's signature style, the Cypher Kelly Nomad Boardshort is water repellent with four-way stretch diamond dobby technology, 21” outseam, double up closure with the new diamond fly, stretch stitch at hems, lycra at inside front rise, and zip pocket.

Quiksilver Cypher Reynolds Revolt Boardshorts

If Kelly Slater's signature boardshorts aren't for you, then Dane Reynolds' signature boardshorts should do the job.  The Cypher Reynolds Revolt Boardshorts are 88 percent Polyester, 12 percent spandex with pigment printed 4 way stretch Diamond Dobby, 21” outseam, double up closure with the new diamond fly, stretch stitch at hems, lycra at inside frontrise, interior waistband screenprints, and custom labels.  Very comfortable and high performance for your next surf session in warm water.

Noll Shaper Shorts

Spring is here, which means it's time to either dust off your old shorts or buy some new ones. The Noll Shaper Shorts are the perfect shorts buy. The heavily washed down, beaten up twill Shaper Walkshort has a vintage look from sanding, water based paint splatters and light oil splatters. This 100 percent cotton short offers a slant pocket in front, welt pocket in back, and flap pocket with a snap closure and woven patch.

Surfrider Polar Bear & Whale Longsleeve Tee

Longsleeve t-shirts are the perfect apparel for a season that can be warm one minute, cold the next.  The Surfrider Polar Bear & Whale Longsleeve Tee not only will leave you looking stylish, but a portion of the proceeds go to a good cause, the Surfrider Foundation.  Available at Swell.com.  

Noll Icon Surf Tee Rashguard

Rashguards are one of the best items to buy in the spring, because you can wear it underneath your wetsuit when the water's still freezing, and wear it sans wetsuit in warm water conditions. This modern rashguard fits comfortably like a regular tee, yet doesn't cling when in the water and it dries quick. This clean and classic loose-fit rashie bears the Icon image of Greg Noll contemplating the thundering shorebreak waves moments before paddling out to ride Third Reef Pipeline in 1964. An emboidered tribute to the famous photo by Surfer Magazine founder John Severson.

Rusty Wired Flag Guard Longsleeve Rashguard

For years companies have been trying to come up with the answer to the question of how to listen to music while in the ocean.  The Rusty Wired Flag Guard Longsleeve Rashguard is the answer.  Not only is this white 100 percent polyester rashguard comfortable and effective, but it also has Rusty's waterproof HB3 headphone technology and includes a clear waterproof pouch for your mp3 player.

Rusty Wired Plus One Surftop Rashguard

Similar to the Rusty Wired Flag Guard Longsleeve Rashguard, the Rusty Wired Plus One Surftop Rashguard provides comfort and effectiveness.  This black 100 percent neoprene longsleeve rashguard has Rusty's waterproof HB3 headphone technology and includes a clear waterproof pouch for your mp3 player.

Arnette The Dibs Sunglasses

Sunglass maker Arnette has created a new collection of sunglasses called A.C.E.S., which stands for Arnette Creative Exchange System. With A.C.E.S., you have the option of keeping your frames stock, changing both arm components at the same time, or alternating colors whenever you want a little style variation. It’s like having multiple shades in one. Some of the A.C.E.S. styles come with interchangeable arms for a full frame transformation, while others have smaller additions and inserts for just a little color boost.  One of the two newer styles in the A.C.E.S. collection is The Dibs, which is is a classic throwback to the era of hotrods, greasers, rumbles and pinups. It is a large, aggressive, squared-off 6-base frame that features an extra set of interchangeable arms so that you can customize your style for any occasion.

Arnette The Moolah Sunglasses

The other new style in the Arnette A.C.E.S. collection is The Moolah, a vintage inspired frame with a timeless six-base round unisex style with tons of retro flavor  It also comes with an extra set of interchangeable arms allowing you to change things up instantly.

FCS Stash Premium Backpack

Backpacks are essential regardless of the season.  Not too bulky, yet with enough size to fit everything you need, the FCS Stash Premium Backpack is perfect for the spring season.  The FCS Stash Premium Backpack has a top loading main compartment, a rear compartment with neoprene laptop suspension harness, easy access front organizer pocket, ergonomically designed, mega thick shoulder straps and rigid back support system, fleece lined mp3 and sunglass pocket with waterproof zipper, and a multiple accessory side stash pocket system.

Quiksilver 1969 Special Heritage Backpack

Made from super durable polyspun twill with suede accents, the Quiksilver 1969 Special Heritage Backpack comes with multiple compartments for organizing your gear, external storage pockets, internal organization pockets, heavy duty clips, buckles and zips and padded ergonomic shoulder straps.

FCS Premium Hard Rack System 

For many, spring means dusting that surfboard off and getting back to the beach.  Of course, not all surfboards fit in cars.  The FCS Premium Hard Rack System is a simple and effective way to securely transport your surfboard on your vehicle.  The FCS Premium Hard Rack System can hold as many as three shortboards or two longboards, has aerodynamic pads to protect your surfboard, and includes a set of premium tie down straps to safely get you to the beach and back.

Rusty Galley Beanie

Soft, comfortable and stylish.  The Rusty Galley Beanie is a 100 percent acrylic flip up beanie with a classic Rusty logo patch.  One size fits most, the Rusty Galley Beanie comes in army green color.

Quiksilver Laid Out Beach Towel

Beach towels are an absolute essential for going to the beach, and those towels you have in your hallway closet are probably too small and not durable enough for the beach experience. The Quiksilver Laid Out Beach Towel is a 100 percent Cotton fiber-active printed beach towel measuring 40 x 68 inches.

Dogwild & Board: Stories, Interviews and Musings from a Surf Journalist

With photos accompanying many of the stories, the newly released eBook edition of Dogwild & Board: Stories, Interviews and Musings from a Surf Journalist has just been published for Kindle devices and is available on Amazon.com for an incredibly low price of $2.99. Original print editions are now on sale for only $19.99 at Amazon.com, or visit DogwildandBoard.com to find a retailer near you.

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