Surf style is not clothes or long hair or slang. It is something unexplainable yet somehow understood. A surfer lives his/her life like the waves themselves. Although they are battered by crosswinds and bent by reefs and sandbars, they always stay true to their source and direction. A surfer, no matter how heavy the responsibilities of life may become, will always make it to the beach. This experience goes far beyond the thrill of a good ride. Surfers have a laid-back attitude that allows them to get along with anyone and enjoy any part of life. They know how to ride the wave and stand on two feet no matter what is about to come their way. This attitude is affected in their style and demeanor.

Even when it is hard to make time for a session and life's pressure is weighing heavy, just remember that just a little nibble on the surfing experience will make you whole again. Even though you may not look like a surfer or talk like a surfer, your commitment and passion for wave riding give you all the style you need.

There are other sports that go in conjunction with this surfer attitude, such as skating and snowboarding, which fuel their own style and lifestyle. There is a solid foundation for fashion influenced by these sports so it is not faddish. There are many people, who have no exposure to surfing in particular, and they may rarely go to the beach, if ever, but they feel connected to it because it is on TV and it's on the Internet. The surfer and the skateboarder have become the salvation of two Southern California companies whose target customers are teenagers and young adults.

The surf and skateboarding culture has exploded in recent years thanks to television shows such as MTV's "Surf Girls" and "Boarding House: North Shore" on the WB network, and movies such as 2002's "Blue Crush." Boardsports have also been a staple for years on ESPN's popular "X-Games" competitions.

The clothes feature bright, colorful displays, often highlighted by surfboards or skateboards autographed by stars of each sport. Their Web sites feature articles and photos of competitions and lifestyle articles along with online stores. The market for a company that can keep pace with teens' trendy tastes is enormous. It is like buying an identity, but it is fun and healthy, unlike some other identities you can buy. The clothes are comfortable and exciting.