Saw my first bikini wearer at the local pool in 2 months. Not that she did any swimming - just stood about at the shallow end.

I don't see how string sided bikinis could be suitable for swimming in. Wouldn't the string loosen? However, bikini bottoms with a sold side of 1 inch wide, would I imagine be perfect. Assuming the bra top was well secured....

secure top
 

I think the women volleyballers could advise her all about that....

That's another thing. Why don't men's beach volleyball players perform in speedos? So much for sexual equality.

Volleyball
 

I know someone who play competitive beach volleyball and he said that a very few of the men do play in speedos.

This USED to be very popular for men for Beach Volleyball pickup games

Volleyball has become a posing sport. The bikinis the women wear are too small to be practical (but makes for fun watching :) )but the shorts the guys wear seem to be too large to be the optimal choice. Additionally part of this posing sport thing is that companies like Hurley & Nike sponsor these events and put stuff they want to sell on the athletes. The athletes want the sponsorship so they do it. Now if hurley made a bikini or "speedo" for men I'd be first in line to get it tho...

We've said that men wear long shorts because they're uncomfortable with people looking at them.
The truth being, so am I. My ideal situation is turning at the swimming pool, finding there's hardly anyone there, and getting on with my swimming. I only really feel comfortable when in the pool.
The benefits of brief clothing to swim in though, easily outweigh everything else.

So unfortunately walking around a beach with Speedos on isn't something I'm likely to do.

Bede, you've proved the point that many have been making about speedos, jammers, boardshorts, etc. You do what makes you feel comfortable and if wearing speedos while walking around or on the beach when not swimming makes you uncomfortable, then don't do it and know that you don't owe anyone an explanation.

D67

Agreed with the above... Although I am 100% comfortable in a speedo out of the water. Women too are uncomfortable but they do it...

As I've said previously, the trend is changing here in San Francisco and I'm seeing more and more guys (a lot of them in their 20s and 30s) jogging on the waterfront in short running shorts. I even saw a guy on a bike in real shorts - not jammers.

So I guess there are a lot of guys who are defying the stigma and going for the shorter look.