I vote we make this a sticky thread so that the question is never asked again...
Boardies over wettie? a question that's been haunting kite surfers for over a decade. Some may perceive it as a fashion statement, others may hate it, but there are actually several legitimate and undisputable reasons and benefits from wearing 'boardies over wettie'. These benefits are listed below for future reference so that this question is never asked again on this forum, and for the education of future generations. This article is only relevant for cooler weather regions where wearing a wetsuits is required, and it's irrelevant if you live in warmer climates where wetsuits are not commonly worn.
1 - Wearing a board shorts (aka boardies) over wettie provides a cover up of one's manhood or bulge or cameltoe (if you are a female), so that other riders that may be tempted to inspect other rider's packages don't get distracted or offended.
2 - Furthermore, a board shorts provides a way of hiding the contours of one's private parts should one be affected by the 'small package' syndrome, weather due to genetic reasons or 'cold water shrinkage phenomenon'.
3 - Although, the reasons mentioned so far have their validity, one of the biggest advantages of wearing boardies over wettie is to protect one's wetsuit from wearing out quicker and ripping apart when riding wakestyle in flat shallow waters which sometimes results in arse dragging over the sandbanks, or shallow areas with sharp seabeds including shells and other non-wetsuit-friendly obstacles. This can be a cost effective measure as a pair of boardies can be snatched for less than $40 bucks at surf retail outlets.
4 - Boardies can also be worn if one has an old wetsuit with large rips around inappropriate areas and is temporarily short on cash to buy a replacement wetsuit.
5 - Boardies also provide useful features such as pockets to store personal items, whether it be car keys, sunnies or a quick energy snack.
6 - Boardies are sometimes worn for brand marketing.
7 - Boardies can be worn to provide colour contrast to one's silhouette in order to confuse and deter sharks (disclaimer: this statement is not based on a real-life research but just a rumour I heard - although there could be such research out there. When you venture into ocean you do so at your own risk. This website, including the article author, will not be liable for any consequences caused by wearing boardies as a shark protection device)
So here it is... let the question of 'boardies over wettie' never be asked again!!!
Disclaimer: Wearing boardies over wettie is totally optional, and so far the research has not been able to identify a significant correlation between one's attire and riding skills.
What about those really long boardies that come well past the knees, why are they worn? That has to be to tell other kiters that they are gay!
We don't have to swim like a surfer or wind surfer does, so we can do our sport with dignity and style.
Our sport is closest to this.
Next beach day I'll wear boardies over my trackies, socks with thongs, a benie over my hat, a singelet over my jumper and we will see who really is a trend setter
