Posts Tagged ‘surfing’

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It is not your imagination that Granny’s trusty G-Hook is being employed with multi-colored Crayon colored cotton threads into this season’s surprise trending item–all things crochet–for beach and leisure wear.

No longer just the purvue of table-top doilies or those kitschy dolls camoflauging the toilet paper roll, crochet has earned its fashion chops and come of age.

Channelling the 70′s and Boho Hippie vintage ponchos, capes, shawls, and pull-overs, the knotting fascination has even produced form-fitting and wearable bikinis!

Yes, crochet is swimmable!  Thanks to the combo of some poly in the cotton, crochet can get wet, though, mind you, it is not an endurance fiber with the 4-way muscle of spandex, and certainly will not withstand the rigors of windsurfing, wake boarding or heavy shredding.

But with some strategically placed lining and careful tying and adjusting, crochet as beach wear is a total runaway hit and must-have for summer 2011.  And, fab for posing!

Tight weaves are the norm for bikinis and even beading, shells and feathers find their way into the mix.  Add a chunkier, open weave poncho or skirt in bright dayglo colors, and even Janis Joplin and Jimmi Hendrix would be jealous!

Relaxing and fun, crochet has become the go-to stress buster on the beach. It is not uncommon among the surf crowd to see both genders busily hooking and knotting a bracelet, beanie or bikini into shape.

So, get started on those ‘Granny squares’ and see if you can fashion a wearable, beachable, swimmable piece for this summer!

Related articles

• Knitting mayhem, pole dancing crochet bikinis, and other stuff (timesunion.com)
• What to Wear This Weekend: Crochet (blogs.smarter.com)

Kikidoll is excited to finally launch her men’s surf line Kanaka at Surf Expo this weekend, the largest and oldest board sports exhibition in the world, held bi-annually in Orlando, Florida.

Seeing her board shorts come to life off the drawing and cutting boards has been likened to: 1) root canal surgery, 2) yard-saling , 3) final exams (without reading the book).

But what a buzz to finally get her sandy little mitts on the finished pieces (thanks to FedEx man, AGAIN!)

Enter the real deal, the ‘Kanaka of Kanakas’, Ryan, new face of Kikidoll Men’s Surf line, Kanaka. Ryan brought his own guns with him to the shoot–Kiki just provided the boardies.

First run is the ‘Kohana’–that is ‘naked’ in Hawaiian for a mean and lean cut, close to the body, with no extra fuss. Ryan reports they fit like second skin.

Add the awesome panelled rash guards and tiki god tees, and Ryan and his guns are good to go.

Shown here in Kikidoll’s Kapa Blue, ‘Kohana’ also comes in Hibiscus Kapa, Multi Tiki and Blue Tiki, its logo motif.

Best part? Ryan is teaching Kikidoll and her ohana how to do the Fire Dance today!

Surf Expo is deffo hotting up!

In its first year, the luxury Hawaiian designer of women’s swimwear Kikidoll has produced two collections–’Signature Shell’ 2010 and ‘Honolulu Honi’ 2011 plus a capsule Cruise and Resort collection, ‘Bikini in a Bottle’.

Now the eternal beach girl is no longer alone waiting to catch a wave in her Hawaiian printed bikini.

Kikidoll is launching her new men’s surf and swim wear line ‘Kanaka’ at the world’s largest board sport show next week, Surf Expo 10-12 September in Orlando, Florida, where the power brokers and big players in the world of water sports discover whazzup new in the water.

Taking her eponymous Pacific themed and Hawaiian-inspired prints, Kikidoll has manned these prints and colors up an edgier notch for a fiercer take on the most powerful sport in the world, surfing.  Taking the Tiki god Ku as its logo motif, Kanaka has surf gear for the Big Kahuna.

The Kanaka ‘Kohana’ (Hawaiian for naked) men’s board short is just that.  Bare. Slim to the body, no drag, no bag– this unfussy ‘Hawaiian cut’ is truly sleek as a shark cutting through the water. Made of 100% poly psycho-suede and imprinted with Kiki’s tough tribal tattoo prints and Tiki god logo motifs, these boardies have only a clip inside for keys. Who needs to carry a pocket full of water when you are ripping, riding or shredding?

Classic grommet laced and dipped waist, shorter on the leg for maximum movement with a Velcro closure, Kanaka’s Kohana board shorts fit like second skin and are available in four vibrant island colorways.

To top off the Kohana, Kanaka goes twinsies with Kikidoll’s take on unisex silky spandex rash guards in bold tropical colors. These rashies are distinguished by their Hawaiian print panels designed by Kiki with contrast overlocked stitching. Again, mindful of the fit and utility, they are cut close and cropped to the body to eliminate water drag.

Kanaka Kohana board shorts (30-38) and rash guards (S, M, L and XL)  are available for wholesale delivery 4-6 weeks from order placement, as well as on-line retail at www.kanakasurf.com beginning October 2010.

Grab a board–wind, wake, surf, paddle, skate or sail–and skedaddle yo-sef over to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Florida 10-12 September for Surf Expo the world’s largest con-fab of board sport aficionados under one roof.

Surf is where the jazziest and most hi-tech gear and garb get test driven. The big players like O’Neill, Quicksilver, Billabong, Burton, Hurley and Volcom roll in like Jaws, taking up booth spaces the size of small villages. Some even come in their own vans and set up shop. The vibe is what you expect–street savvy beachy cool laid back whazzup dude. Woven in and around the hall are demo tanks for all the sports, so you best be ready for a splash or two.

The new kid on the beach is SUP or stand up paddling, and there is a SUP tank here as well to show the moves required to move that surfboard forward with a paddle.

Surf is a show where you can hang loose. Make no mistake the power brokers are here–they’re just wearing boardies and flip-flops.

Wander over to the Sushi Bar and take in the all-day modelling of the 2011 swim collections. Kikidoll is setting up her lauhala beach hut #1661 where she is launching her 2011 Hawaiian island luxury line ‘Honolulu Honi’ for women complete with the sweetest sexiest rash guard this polite side of a wet tee contest.

Also splashing out her Bikini in a Bottle Cruise/Resort collection for Winter 2010/2011, Kikidoll is showing the capsule collection in silver and gold.  Come share the aloha spirit with Kiki in her beach hut!

Learn to surf or improve your surfing with Xoxxi in  Hawaii

By using proven teaching techniques, our surf instructors will make sure you are perfectly safe, while learning the basics surfing steps and having a great time!

With Xoxxi experience world class surf instruction, and adventure on the legendary North Shore of Oahu. All that while enjoying home cooked, healthy and organic meals, in stylish accommodation in the most authentic Hawaiian spirit.

Based in a stylish beach front home, only 15 minutes from Haleiwa downtown our surf camp provides daily surf instruction, outdoor activities, and delicious healthy meals. Mingle with the locals and enjoy the international surf scene in this legendary surf meca. Come alone, with friends or your loved one, and be ready to to get stoked!

Thanks to North Shore’s diverse range of surf breaks, that offer from perfect little waves to powerful big barrels, our surf camps are open to surfers of all skill levels. Our expert team is formed by certified lifeguards, world class big wave surfers, who are experienced in coaching from the first timers to the more advanced surfers.

You will not find a more professional surfer that the Xoxxi surf guide, a track record of competitive results in some of the mean north shores waves against some of the greatest surfers to ever live. To be taught by this man is to be taught by the very best in surfing.

Kikidoll Recommends: Xoxxi  Surfing Lessons