My Dad

[Cjhanish]

My dad recently turned 45 and for his birthday he got a few gag gifts including a speedo, which is so fitting because he was notorious for resisting the board short revolution back in the day. My dad is very reserved now and was kind of embarrassed, but I saw this as an opportunity to talk to my dad about speedos and stuff. Later after the party was over and he was clearing his gifts away I asked him if he would actually wear the speedo. He asked me why after hesitating for a moment. I was kind of nervous, normally my father and I would not be discussing these types of things. I responded by saying I kind of like the look of the speedo and if he wouldn't wear them that I might, since we're about the same size. He said that he was considering wearing them under regular trunks since his was missing the liner. I told him I had the same problem and had tried wearing underwear underneath, but that it was kinda bulky and held a lot of water and that a quick dry speedo would prob be a better choice. Overall a great convo, especially for a father and son who aren't particularly close.

[dakota]

Welcome aboard, Cj. So tell us: Do you think he'll wear it? And what about you? Maybe you two could wear them at the same time, and have a little Father-Son bonding.

--Dakota

[Cjhanish]

Haha after you mentioned that, it got me thinking. It would be kind of neat to share my love for speedos with my father, so I suggested the family go swimming together this past afternoon. I didn't mention the speedo to my dad before leaving because I didn't want to seem overly excited about it or overly pushy, but thank god he did end up wearing it! We both wore them under some board shorts since it would seem out of place just to wear the speedo where we live, but it was kinda cool being seen in the communal showers with just me in my speedo and my dad in his! I tried to bring it up, saying "hey you're actually wearing them" be he just kind of brushed it off like it was no big deal... o well look forward to the next family swimming outing

[LucidEye]

Sounds like your Dad's right, it's no big deal. Unless or until speedos make a real return, it's good to know they're at least being kept out there as a liner for boardies & trunks. From there, guys like you can elect to ditch the boardies for swimming laps, then putting the boardies back on after. Swimming laps in boardies could be arguably more ridiculous than strutting speedos poolside, depending on location. You give the impression that you're interested in taking the speedo beyond the communal shower. Just about anywhere, swimming laps is license to do that. Bring goggles next time, and carry a spare in case your Dad follows suit (pun intended). And keep us posted if you do!

[Cjhanish]

Thanks Lucideye! great advice... but I ended up being a little sneakier to shed my board shorts. I just came back from a little vacation with my family. It was just me and my dad and my mom and we have a little cabin in the middle of no where on a private lake (private as in only those who live on it have access, not that we own the lake) and of course my dad decided to gather and pack his things in the car the night before and I decided to take matters in my own hands. At first I just wanted to take a peak and see if my dad would take his speedo with him to wear as a liner as before, but then I thought I would take his board shorts out of his suit case just to see if that would be the motivation he needed to wear his speedo. To be fair I did the same and left my shorts at home, just so I would be forced to wear my speedo or have to drive 2 hours to buy a new one. Well the time came and I almost chickened out of wearing mine until I saw my dad strutting along the sand in his! It was actually the most gratifying sight and it gave me the courage to put mine on and head out. It was def a great vacation. This time however I did not make a comment on the speedo, but was secretly hoping my dad would.... but he didn't

[LucidEye]

Still sounds like a great vacation. Perhaps your Dad had thoughts on the speedos, after all they tend to be controversial, but was too reserved and inhibited, especially with his own son. I encourage you to consider whether this was one of those moments where "things were better left unsaid". If so, you can still cherish the father-son bonding that it was, and carry that for a long time, if not forever. Hopefully your Mom snapped some pics of you two, not for us here on the board, but for you.

Here's another thought. Consider there may be a reason someone gave your Dad a speedo as a gag gift anyway. "The soul attracts that which it secretly harbours" -James Allen. Maybe he was the last hold out still wearing speedos among friends, even after speedos were passe'. Maybe he ultimately retired the suit at some point, caving to peer pressure. Now with a new lease on the speedo, perhaps he didn't want to bring the controversy of yesteryear into the unspoken speedo connection with you. Could there be something intrinsic about your affinity for speedos? You are of the same blood.

[Bike Dude]

CJHanish: Great account of your Dad and his Speedo. What color is it?

LucidEye:

I love that suit on you! Just had to tell you!

My dad never wore anything resembling a Speedo. There is a certain element of a man coming to terms with being a sexy guy, even if he doesn't look like an American Eagle model when he wears a Speedo. I feel very sexy and very masculine when I wear a Speedo. I don't think that my dad was ever there. I may be the boxers guy in terms of underwear, but I love to see a guy in a Speedo. I have several myself. I'm going to Arizona for Labor Day Weekend and plan to wear a Speedo in my friend's poo every time I swiml. Can't wait!

[Pseudotritonruber]

Its so weird, I wonder why anyone made the move to shorts for swimming. I am 30, and when I was a kid I took swimming classes in the US and in Colombia. In the US you were expected to wear shorts, and then head over to the lockerroom and get naked, in COlombia, you were expected to wear speedos and head over to the lockerroom and change in private cubicles. Should I be confused????

Actually in Colombia everyone wore speedos, shorts were seen as obtrusive to the swimming experience.

[MadAboutUW]

The only confused people - Men!

I mean, it is that every man has his choice. but...damn, if they like a speedo I do hope they wear them.

Gees, I mean, men are men.... and yes, they do shot a bit (or more) in front, but the fact is we are MADE to be a bit flashy in skimpier suits.

The point being, Just wear what you like. And if you like to show off... well, more power to ya'.

Whether or not you feel like I do...not u p to the huge package... I still love speedos at the beach (0r lakeshore as it is here) we should be comfortable in our own skin.

NEVER had a day at the beach with my dad, but I would have been happy to see him in whatever he liked.