Spangler's Archive

January 19th, 2012 | By | 3,028 Comments

Functional Trunks -Autonomous

It’s a new year, so you need new gear to stay active and hit those exercise goals. Face it, you spend 90% more trunk time on the turf than in the surf, so why not wear a trunk designed to excel in any sport? Autonomous solved this age old issue by partnering up with Olympic athletes and local surfers to develop more versatile gear.

We caught Autonomous founder and Manhattan Beach Volleyball champ Aaron Wachtfogel, on his daily cross-training regimen around the South Bay to get the latest on his fast growing brand.

Swell: Hey Aaron, everyone wants to know, What’s the secret to the flexi-perfection behind those comfy trunks?
Aaron: Its called autoFlex fabric, a breathable, flexible material that’s built to last and even dries fast. Auto-flex also allows some water to pass through, preventing the dreaded ballooning you get in traditional trunks.

Swell: Tell us about the heavy hitting (PUN Intended) Olympians we’ve seen in Autonomous.
Aaron:That’s right, Gold Medalists Todd Rogers and Phil Dahausser won a recent tournament wearing the Autonomous Original and AVP Champion Matt Olson won gold in our Lion tee and So Solid trucker

Swell: Before we let you get back to the grind, is there anything else happening this Spring?
Aaron: Thanks, we’re always helping support the prostate cancer foundation, and just so stoked to see our spring line getting waves in the surf, victories on the court, hikes on the trail, and sweat in the gym.

In case you haven’t heard of them Autonomous was born on the in Hermosa Beach Ca, where volleyball, surf, and style runs the town. They’ve become a favorite brand of SWELL over the last year for their versatile active-wear that our customers love. See the whole line here

Thank you for visiting the Swell blog. Visit us on www.facebook.com/swell for more exclusive fan offers, giveaways and more.
January 13th, 2012 | By | 2,109 Comments

Top Tweets of the Week: Happy Friday the 13th

Enjoy another dose of surf speak being flung around this week in twitter-land. This Friday the 13th list celebrates the odd-balls of the industry, and those who encourage getting weird on the job.


Uh oh… It’s Friday the 13th! Stay away from black cats, evil knock-offs and be sure to wear your lucky Sanuks… http://t.co/F0nIZPA1
@SanukFootwear
Sanuk Footwear

Our friends Sanuk recommend to fend off phonies with some fresh footwear. Take it from Rae at Sanuk, she’s got “sole”


Going on another swimsuit issue shoot Wednesday so I’m gonna have to look at more of this for a week. http://t.co/DcWEOFXF
@Jimmicane
Jimmy Wilson

Fan of fashion or not, the guys at Surfing Mag have an eye for aesthetics. Follow @Jimmicane for an opinionated trek around the globe. Thanks for Sharing Jimmy


it used to be a bad thing to have crabs! Allow me to introduce the newest crab to the planet…The Hoff Crab! http://t.co/efmxgBao
@DavidHasselhoff
David Hasselhoff

It’s Hofficial, Mitch Bucannon has Crabs! C.J. you better get checked


DO YOU HAVE AN INAPPROPRIATE STORY FROM A XMAS WORK PARTY? WE WANT TO HEAR IT. WIN VOLCOM PRIZE PACKS EVERY DAY!http://t.co/Cgq438ws
@VolcomOzNz
Volcom Oz & Nz

Sloppy hook-ups, dosing the baked goods, top-shelfing…please share your stories with us too. And maybe we’ll share our after party involving a very phallic beer bong.


Send your “lifes better” Instagram shots to billabong.com”>lbib@billabong.com to raise money for @ http://t.co/D9aRn1IM #lifesbetterinboardshorts
@billabong1973
Billabong

Sharing is caring. Send Billbong a photo of some beachy dream scene, and they’ll donate $1 in your honor.


I can assure you this guy is getting weird on this Friday the 13th. Not really sure what Hoyo is saying here about a Zoo, but nothing much makes sense when you party with the legend Matt Hoy. Is that Parko in the purple wig? So if you jump on the Hoyo party train, prepare to time-travel into the seventh ring of hard rocking shit-head ripper land. Trust me.

Happy Friday the the 13th. Follow @Swelldotcom

January 10th, 2012 | By | 1,978 Comments

Win It Wednesday: Captain Fin Company

This week’s Win it Wednesday is brought to you by Captain Fin Company. They packaged their finest fins and gear worth over $150 Bucks

The Dane Reynold fin is probably set to win “fin of the year”, and it even has signature Summer Teeth deign. Then you’ve got a captains hat, shirt, patches, and their latest surf movie. Be Cool Man features Dane, Andrew Doheny, and their whole team master shredders.

Get an extra 5 entries in the contest for every friend you refer to the contest. So sign up every Wednesday on the “win it” tab at facebook.com/swell before someone snags this gift basket worthy of the surf gods.

January 10th, 2012 | By | 2,157 Comments

Elastic Waistband Drawstring Boardshorts -Back in Style

Remember when the old boardshorts would trap sand in the liner, creating a 10lb FUPA? Thankfully brands like Billabong re-designed drawstring boardshorts with tech features like recycled polyester blended fabric for improved flex and quicker dry time.


They also detailed the Andy Davis collaboration boardshort with coconut buttons, drawcord cinch and a Bali inspired print. Perfect for a game of volleyball, mowing the lawn, or hot-doggin your local line-up.


WWMBD? Be the king of the beach in these elasto trunks, but dont forget to apply sun screen to your upper thigh. Toddland has become SWELL’s throwback specialists by perfecting retro paneling, and signature embroidery. These shorts eliminate ballooning in the water, and a must-have when its bronzing time.

The Striped Helmut shorts are the non-submersibles gaining popularity as a short to wear anywhere. From country clubs, to Kona country, this classic cinch waist walkshort looks good and feels great.

You’ve tried hybrid shorts, hi-performance pairs, then tech stretch…now get the tried-&-true style with modern features. For more elastic waist draw-string, scalloped boardshorts, like my personal favorite Moi Moi trunks (above) click here.