Guess What I Saw At Our Community College Pool???

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

Louis... they started in Australia in the early 1970s. The Australia surfer crowd wanted versatile shorts that were durable for surfing, dried quickly, and were able to then serve as shorts on land.

[California Dolphin]

Here in the U.S., the "longer look" in men's "shorts" definitely started with NBA player Michael Jordan.

In the 90's, he wore something on the BB court that looked like boardies instead of the tradtional short shorts that were the standard for men's athletic wear for nearly 60 years.

The "Half Pants" that guys wear nowdays are a spin off of the Jordan look.

CD

[Lap Counter]

A company called Surfline Hawaii originated and trademarked "Jams" in the mid to late '60s. These were the original unlined board shorts, with a pocket for surfboard wax. They were longer than other shorts, dropping to the lower thigh, and designed to ride low on the hips. The longer leg length prevented chafing while sitting on a board waiting for waves. They were made of cotton, so did not dry quickly.

[kumu]

When I was a kid parents were scandalized by long baggy trunks called "surfers". I am sure they were not really that long, they just seemed that way compared to the sensible shorter styles of the day. Kind of like how parents were scandalized by the Beatles' 'long' hair in '64. Having surfed for quite a few years I understand the appeal of longer board shorts, when you are sitting on your board with legs draped over the sides the fabric protects your inner thighs, you get a rash without protection. In the '70's, though, guys would surf in speedos. Real speedos. Some older surfers still do, mainly older Hawaiian guys.