It's Aqua-Dyke! Butch Swim Shorts and More

After a year, my Butch at the Beach post is still one of my most popular, but I wanted to write a couple follow-up posts to answer some great questions I've gotten from readers.  Here are a few you've been asking:

• I'm a bigger butch and most of the shorts only go up to a 38" or 40" waist.  And it doesn't help that board shorts run small so they won't fall off while you're surfing.  It takes some looking, but you can find bigger shorts.  These basic blue ones from Chaps by Ralph Lauren come in a 3x, 4x, and 5x.  The red Hurleys (pictured left, top) come in a 42, and the navy blue Alki'i ones (pictured left, bottom) go up to a 4x (in addition to being a rare bargain at under $20).  These Hurley Puerto Rico boardshorts go up to a 42" waist (and the white ones go up to 44"), as do these good-looking Fishworks Clipperton blue plaid shorts.  These Aftco "Player" boardshorts and these Aftco "Wahoo" boardshorts also go up to a 44" waist. 
  

• Do I need to wear anything under my shorts?  Nah, not really.  Personally, I like wearing a swimsuit, some tight shorts, or even plain black underwear, if my shorts are baggy.  It just feels more "secure" or something.  Maybe I'm an especially modest butch...
  

• I look stupid in shorts that go past my knees, and it seems like boardshorts are all really long.  If you're not very tall and are on the slim side as well, I recommend boys' boardshorts (like these Quiksilver shorts, which go all the way down to a 22" waist!).  If you're not tiny-waisted, but dislike super-long shorts (I fall into this category), I recommend Quiksilver shorts, because they tend to be an inch or two shorter than brands like Hurley and Billabong.  Personally, I swim in the Quiksilver men's Rocky boardshorts (pictured right, top).  Parke & Ronen is kind of a high end brand that has stylish but not-too-long boardshorts.  I especially like these striped ones (right, middle), which happen to be 40% off right now.  A couple other good bets include Onia (right, bottom) and Bjorn Borg boardshorts.
  

• The place I swim won't let us wear T-shirts in the pool.  Talk to the people who run the pool.  Usually the problem has to do with the material most T-shirts are made of.  A basic rash guard (like the O'Neill one pictured below, which I really like) is made of nylon and spandex and doesn't contain any cotton.
  

• My shirt keeps sliding up when I swim, even if I tuck it into my shorts.  This, too, is a place where rash guards can help, since most of these have a little loop to let them attach to your boardshorts! 
  

What other swimming-related questions have come up for you this summer?  (I'll probably be writing another swimwear post soon and will answer as many as I can.)  What tips and tricks would you give to other butches about swimwear and beachwear?