Female pros sporting new bottoms in competition

While watching the women’s Target Maui Pro a few weeks ago, we noticed several of the ladies, including Malia Manuel and Coco Ho, competing in shorts that did not appear to be traditional boardshorts. 

With cute prints, they looked as fashionable as they were functional.  We spoke with a few brands to learn more about what the women are competing in now.

Surfer Malia Manuel was wearing O’Neill’s 365 Activewear Endure Shorts, according to O’Neill Women’s Marketing and PR department. The 365 Activewear category was created by O’Neill in 2011, and they’ve since expanded the line to include hybrid fabric activewear made to function in and out of the water.

O’Neill Women’s 365 Activewear Endure Shorts retail for $48, and the brand says they’ve seen continuous growth in the category since its launch.

Jenna Sufficool, O’Neill Women’s Swim/Activewear designer, involves the athletes in the design process, incorporating their feedback on the versatility and functionality of the shorts.

“There was a lack of longer inseam shorts in the market, something that wasn’t a boardshort, and our 365 active short is filling that space,” said Sufficool.  “It’s a relatively new style for us, but sales show it growing in popularity with our consumer.”

The style seems to be growing in popularity with female athletes, as well. Malia Manuel just started competing in the 365 Activewear shorts this year and says they give her confidence in the ocean.

“I love competing in the 365 active wear shorts,” Manuel says. “I love the way they are a little thicker material and stay on you when you’re moving around so much in the ocean. I like the fit slightly better than boardshorts because of the function of the material and how comfortable they are.”

Volcom’s surfer Coco Ho sported Volcom’s new Bikini Boardies while she competed in Maui. Volcom released the Bikini Boardie with the Spring ’15 swim collection as an alternative to a boardshort, and they retail for $42.  Volcom’s shorts have a 2” inseam like a boardshort, but are made out of swim fabric “improving flexibility and comfort because the fabric has the stretch and lightweight quality of a swimsuit,” according to Volcom’s Swim division.

Similarly to Manuel, Coco Ho also recently started opting for these new shorts in competition over traditional boardshorts or bikini bottoms.

“I’ve love my Bikini Boardies compared to traditional boardies because of the flexibility and freeness,” said Ho.  “Competing without having to fix my bottoms, avoiding any hindrance, is super important to me during competition, plus they’re still really feminine and cute.”