Funny Surf Shop Story
My kids and I enjoy body surfing and boogie boarding at a favorite central California coast beach. Only problem, the water is usually too cold to stay in for long. My kids get around this by wearing shorty wetsuits (springsuits) that cover their bodies, thighs, and upper arms.
Great for them, but I wear boardshorts.
Annoyed that I was spending too much time on the sand, and not enough time in the waves, they convinced me to buy myself a shorty wetsuit similar to theirs.
The surf shop had a few brands to choose from, with different thicknesses and colors. I’m medium build, and sometimes the clothes I get are size medium, other times large. I went for the medium wetsuit first.
Unfortunately, the medium wetsuit was tight on my legs and way too small for my broad shoulders. No way I could wear it.
I grabbed a large wetsuit, and went back into the fitting room. It fit great! I came out to show my kids.
“Um, it’s not going to keep you warm,” my daughter said.
“Why not?” I asked.
“It’s not tight enough around your arms. Water will seep right in.”
Sure enough, the large wetsuit didn’t grip my biceps. But the medium was out of the question. Maybe another brand would fit? I asked the salesman.
“You could try another brand,” he said. “But I think large is your size.”
“But it’s too loose on my arms,” I protested. “The water will rush right in.” Nothing like sharing my newly learned knowledge, as if I was the expert.
“The only thing I can suggest,” the sales guy said, “is that you start working out.”
Doh!
Needless to say, my daughter was embarrassed beyond belief. My son came to my rescue.
“Dad’s a cyclist,” he said. “His legs are strong and his arms are weak. Same as Lance Armstrong.”
Nothing like being compared to the world’s greatest athlete!
The sales guy nodded approval.
My teen daughter rolled her eyes and slunk off to another part of the store.
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Comment by Cathouse Teri
| July 29th, 2009
Surf shop dudes can tend to be a bit narrow-minded. :)
Fun story! I like it that your son came to your rescue. Shows his admiration. Your daughter must be harder to impress. Just like a woman, eh? ;)
Cathouse Teri´s last blog ..Angels Can Fly…
Comment by Paula
| July 29th, 2009
Ouch.
I have the opposite problem, my top is 2 sizes bigger than my bottom. I can never buy a suit that doesn’t come w/ seperate pieces. Do they have a 2 piece wetsuit?
Paula´s last blog ..I Scream, You Scream: A Story
Comment by Just Me..
| July 29th, 2009
First, the guy is a barely minimum-wage, surf-shop salesman.. I may be wrong, but perhaps he’s there because of a lack of, um, acumen.. Or direction. Either way, his comments would have rolled off my back like water off a duck’s back..
Second, buy that boy an ice cream!! He’s a good son to take for his daddy like that!!
Hmm.. Might mean you’re a not-so-bad daddy… :) :) :)
Just Me..´s last blog .."I’ve been thinking…"
Comment by CJ
| July 29th, 2009
You know us rednecks could solve that little problem with some duct tape…can’t say how well you’re arms would appreciate it when it was time to come off though ;) As far as your daughter goes, don’t take it too personally, most daughters have absolutely NO desire to be thinking about, let alone discussing, their dad’s physique!
CJ´s last blog ..What’s missing?
Comment by debra
| July 29th, 2009
Wow! Remind me not to shop for swimsuits in surf shops in california. If a sales guy ‘helpully’ suggested maybe I should work out to fit in a suit better, there would be bloodshed! Funny story.
Comment by MindyMom
| July 29th, 2009
I love this! It’s about friggin time a man is challenged in the fitting room with an off the rack made-for-your-average body-type item. Many women experience this every. damn. day.
Nice that your son stood up for you though. ;)
MindyMom´s last blog ..Dreams & Reality
Comment by justrun
| July 29th, 2009
Do they alter wet suits? :)
Too funny!
justrun´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Maybe you can come up with your own words
Comment by Danielle
| July 29th, 2009
I think it is awesome that you and your kids have this kind of active relationship.
I always get the comment “did you use to workout?” Ouch, I still do almost every day, so what are you saying? :)
Danielle´s last blog ..SCORE!!!!
Comment by katherine.
| July 29th, 2009
I love your kids and the way they are with adults…it will serve them well later on.
I want to point out (for your readers who don’t live in a central California beach town) that wetsuits are designed for bodies that do surf…and surfers typically have significant upper body strength. (much like cycling garb is designed for the cycling body)
on a side note:
David…you didn’t actually go to the tourist shop the beach did you? please tell is you went into town like a local…
katherine.´s last blog ..I stand corrected….FaceBook is my Friend
Comment by dadshouse
| July 29th, 2009
Katherine – no, not the tourist shop. It was in town where the locals shop. And it wasn’t Santa Cruz. Our favorite beach is further down the coast near SLO.
CJ – love the duct tape idea! Too funny.
Comment by QTMama
| July 29th, 2009
Not living near an ocean certainly gives one insight to your experiences DH! LOVE that your son came to your rescue, almost. LOL
QTMama´s last blog ..QTMama’s Mama
Comment by Sandra
| July 29th, 2009
I have the same problem, as my arms are very thin, as the rest of me is not. Last time I borrowed a wetsuit, I got very cold.
I went to the beach in Aptos a couple of weeks ago, and surprisingly the water was warm, which I’ve never experienced in CA. Plus the beach wasn’t dirty, and not a lot of people.
Sandra´s last blog ..“Smart, sexy, gentleman looking 4U”
Comment by Sandra
| July 29th, 2009
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I second CJ’s comment. I don’t want to be thinking about or discussing my dad’s physique either, and I’m not a teen anymore.
Sandra´s last blog ..“Smart, sexy, gentleman looking 4U”
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| July 29th, 2009
I second MindyMom’s comment.
Cathouse Teri´s last blog ..Angels Can Fly…
Comment by T
| July 29th, 2009
Ha ha ha ha ha!! I also second Mindy’s comment!
Oh to live by the ocean…
T´s last blog ..Paying it forward… comes back!
Comment by Barry
| July 29th, 2009
Classic David! Better Lance , than George Costanza!
Barry´s last blog ..Michael Vick and Teachable Moments for Parents
Comment by Eathan
| July 29th, 2009
I agree with CJ, nothing like a good roll of duct tape to fix those arms.
Eathan´s last blog ..I Experienced Condom Trouble
Comment by The Exception
| July 29th, 2009
This is great!! Your son is priceless – way to go… He definitely has your back!
The Exception´s last blog ..On the Street Where I live
Comment by Ginger Magnolia
| July 29th, 2009
I guess the female equivilent would be not being able to fill out a bikini top?
Ginger Magnolia´s last blog ..Totally Music Tuesday
Comment by Solo-Dad
| July 29th, 2009
:D Priceless!
Solo-Dad´s last blog ..The Kindle 2 vs. iTouch Debate
Comment by notasoccermom
| July 29th, 2009
haha too funny
How much did you pay your son? j/k
notasoccermom´s last blog ..Small Town Entertainment
Comment by krn
| August 1st, 2009
Yes, I’m sure your body looks just like Mr. Armstrong’s and it was mighty nice of your son to point that out. I LOVE that he defended you! What a great kid. He’s a keeper.
Hint: Try on a ladies size large. Bet ya’ a fiver that it fits, only the leg openings might be a bit snug if you cycle hills a lot. Seriously, my full length blue wetsuit looks just like the men’s suits from the same maker. A male friend has borrowed both that one and my dive skin with no complaints. Mine are size 9 ladies and will stretch to fit a 5′10-5′11, 165-170 lb male. Once they are washed and set out in the sun to dry they fit me again, no prob. I’m 5′9′, 135 lb.
We are just back from a week on the beach. Aaaah, the beauty of the Pacific. Enjoy~
Comment by ilinap
| August 4th, 2009
Laughing my ass off over here.