Even though summer doesn’t officially kick off until after Memorial Day weekend, which is well over a month away, we think it’s never too early to start planning out all the beachside and poolside fun to be had this season. It’s also never too early to start planning out your beach outfits, specifically your swimwear.

This summer, liven up your beach attire by wearing a pair of bold boardshorts!  Boardshorts are kind of like Hawaiian shirts, they give you the liberty to be as loud and out there as possible. Here are some of our favorite boardshorts that are brimming with fun personality:

L-R-G Burgers Boardshort: The juicy print on these might just induce some hungry stares at the beach…and we think that’s just awesome.

O’Neill Party Pack Boardshort: Whether you love to shoot pool or keg stands and red party cups, these shorts are ready for any party you can throw at them!

Quiksilver Cypher Receiver 21”: Send out the right frequencies with the modern graphic on these sick shorts.

L-R-G High Bingus Boardshort: The iconic tropical flower, the hibiscus, gets a cool artistic touch with these colorful boardshorts. It’s definitely a step up above the typical floral boardshort.

For more cool summer clothing, check out the Zappos Rideshop!

L-R : Oakley S/S Pressure 2.8 Rashguard, Quiksilver All Time S/S Snug Fit Rashguard 

Hang ten, barney,betty, gnarly, shred ,sleeper set… the surfer vernacular is really a language all its own.  While surfing has been romanticized by such surf movies as Blue Crush and Point Break, it is a sport that requires a lot of passion and patience.

Whether you’re a barney (newbie), or have been surfing since you were a grom (young surfer), it’s all about the right gear, the right waves, and the right attitude. It’s important to never underestimate the power of the ocean. Find surf spots that suit your experience level.

Here are a few famous surf spots worth checking out this summer:

San Onofre State Beach, San Clemente, CA - a good spot for beginners with low, slow-breaking peaks at Dog Patch.  For more experienced surfers, Trestles (made up of Upper, Middle and Lower sections) is considered on of the best surf spots in the U.S.

Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, HI-this world-famous shoreline is often regarded as the birthplace of modern surfing. Great for beginners with plenty of surf schools offering lessons to both kids and adults.

Huntington Beach, CA- hailed as “Surf City”, Huntington Beach is most crowded on either side of the pier, with the larger swells on the north side.

Haleiwa, HI- regarded as a surf mecca by experienced and novice surfers alike, this world-famous surf town is home to some of the best surf in the world.

Santa Cruz, CA- this low-key surf town with a thriving arts scene is home to plenty of good surf spots for different levels. Cowell’s  is a good place for begginers with its long gentle waves, perfect for longboards.

Before you hit the waves, check out the great selection of surf clothing, shoes and gear in the Zappos Rideshop.

SPY Optic has recently collaborated with professional rally racer Ken Block to create eight limited edition styles. Each Ken Block SPY model features custom logo detailing and a special edition Ken Block drawstring sunglasses case.

The sick laser- etched black drip design on the SPY Ken Block colorway Kubrik is the same design seen on Ken’s #43 rally car. If you’re more into sleek and simple, check out the Ken Block colorway of the SPY Kash. It’s got a pop of bright green and the SPY+ Ken Block logo.

Make sure to sign up to be alerted on new SPY styles on the SPY page. The rest of the SPY + Ken Block styles are coming real soon!

There's a perpetual youthfulness and effortless cool that comes with the SoCal surfer girl look that we just simply can't get enough of. This laid-back beachy look can be seen on a slew of beach beauties everywhere, from Laguna Beach to Cocoa Beach. The aura around the surfer girl style is relaxed and simple; think wavy wash-and-wear hair, minimal makeup and a sunny year-round tan.

When going for the breezy surfer girl look, there are a few staple pieces that will surely be on heavy rotation in your wardrobe:  

1.      Summer dresses: A lightweight summer dress is definitely a beach essential. Picking a striped dress, like the Roxy Sequoia Halter Dress, is reminiscent of the classic ‘70s surfer girl.

2.      Lightweight tank tops and camis: Look for tank tops and camis with stripes or tropical florals for a summery look. The Volcom Cassie Cami Top is an excellent example of how versatile this look is. Wear it alone or layered under a light hoodie.

3.      Unstructured bags: Hobos and totes in lightweight fabrics are perfect for carrying to the beach. The adorable Roxy Dock Canvas Tote has a hint of nautical style and is just the right size to carry your daytime essentials.

4.      Comfy flip flop sandals: When you’re treading sand most of the day, a pair of comfy sandals like the Sanuk Yoga Rain Dance (complete with a real yoga mat footbed!) is a must.

For more surfer girl style, check out the Zappos Rideshop.

The Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta De Lobos Big Wave Invitational will commence this Spring with the world's top big wave riders competing for a $20,000 prize purse during a contest window spanning April 1- May 31, 2011.  The first stop on the 2011 Big Wave World Tour, the Quiksilver Ceremonial is one of Chile's most anticipated big wave events, with this year's swell expected to reach gigantic conditions with a potential for 30 ft. waves and perfect tubes behind Punta de Lobos' famous "morros."

"This being the third year of the Ceremonial as part of the Big Wave World Tour, expectations for some special waves are high on everyone's list," said Gary Linden, Big Wave World Tour Director and Contest Director. "We have all seen the potential, and with the early season swell patterns so strong, it is now just waiting for the elements to align."

Quiksilver is committed to providing tools for uncovering, expressing and expanding your personal style.  Their aim is to foster the sense of individual expression and excitement - the stoke that is the essence of boardriding.  They're also here to spread the word because the only thing better than finding stoke is sharing it.

Want to tap into a world of ride? Click LIKE below to join the Zappos Rideshop on Facebook!

Streetwear and lifestyle clothing giant L-R-G collaborated with soul musician Aloe Blacc to remake the music video to his hit song "I Need A Dollar". The awesome video was directed by Jeff Woodings and shot right here in Zappos' backyard of Las Vegas. If you look closely, you'll see that part of the video was filmed in the hip and trendy Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip!

Check out Aloe Blacc's remade music video below, and of course, check out the entire L-R-G line on Zappos!

Aloe Blacc - I Need a Dollar from LRG on Vimeo.

When I found out I was going to be a father, I immediately began thinking of all the things I would get to do with my son: throw around a football, ride bikes together, teach him to skateboard, and – if I’m being totally honest – shop for clothes.

Fashion is something that, at an early age, didn’t come easy for me. I was born in the '70s when style was more about the hair (maybe?) than the clothes. Memories of outrageously gross corduroy pants and random colored polyester shirts with different patterns on them come to mind. You see, my dad is Scottish. Not like somewhere-in-my-roots-five-generations-ago kind of Scottish. I’m talking about the fresh off the boat, Mike Meyers in So I Married An Axe Murderer, Scottish.  He moved from Dundee, Scotland in 1972 to take a job in California’s Silicon Valley. Not long after, he married my mom who had been living in San Francisco’s Haight District. Am I painting an awesome picture of randomness yet?

Anyway, when you couple my mom’s hippy, beatnik style with my dad’s frugality, it was a perfect recipe for random, which meant my brother and our wardrobes took the biggest hit. We wore everything under the sun, but always the off-brand. If it was going to be a fashion staple for the Burgess boys, it was most likely available at Kmart.

I didn’t really become aware of fashion (or the fact that my clothes didn’t match) until the 7^th grade. In retrospect, 7^th grade – in the '80s — was pivotal in shaping my interest in fashion and my personal style. This was also the year I became aware of girls. At the time, Vans and Sperry Top-Siders were hot. It was all about folding your pants tight at the bottom and rolling them up. Bangs were in – for guys. The skater look was just barely making its appearance. And being a skater myself, I embraced it to the fullest. (My wife is laughing at me right now, because currently, I still wear mostly Vans and Sperrys.)

Those were the '80s. Now it’s 2011 and I’m a father.  My son is 19 months old, and I have ambitions that he will dress with much more style and confidence than I did.  Oliver will have the “it” shoes, whatever they are. Although I can’t lie, I’m hoping the '80s influence remains! I’m not saying that clothes or style are the only components of confidence, but it doesn’t hurt. My wife is really short, so this kid needs all the help he can get!  And to my dad… next time we’re in town, I think a shopping trip is in order!

-Eric Burgess

Fashion Dad

Eric Burgess is a new dad who resides in Seattle, WA. A former buyer of men's and women's apparel and footwear, he's now a digital media strategist and grad student at the University of Washington. He enjoys fashion, digital photography and blogging. Connect with him on his personal blog Fashion Dad or on Twitter.

In collaboration with pro skater Chico Brenes for Chocolate Skateboards, DVS Shoe Co. releases the Chicolate sneaker. This fresh new collaboration sneaker is a heftier version of the classic DVS Gavin CT. It features a Chocolate Skateboards logo on the tongue, foxing and lace tips, as well as a cartoon drawing of Chico himself on the cushioned footbed.

Chico Brenes is a member of the Chocolate Skateboards team, a skateboard company founded in 1994 as a part of the Girl Skateboards family. Chico was born and raised in Nicaragua and moved to the Bay Area when he was nine years old. He soon fell in love with skateboarding, spending his teen years skating the streets of San Francisco.

Since then, he’s been sponsored by World Industries and Chocolate Skateboards. His long career as a professional skateboarder has led him back to his home country of Nicaragua where he opened the country’s first skate shop back in 2009.

Check out these fresh Chicolate sneakers as well as the entire DVS collection on the Zappos Rideshop!