I would like to go learn how to surf with the surf club next weekend but I'm very bummed right now.

I was trying to find things that I could use to bind in the water, and I'm coming up with nothing. I checked Hudson's....what they suggested does not work for me.

I went to a surf shop today and tried on the neoprene vests to see if they would keep me flat. 1) The Small/XS cut off my circulation, arm-wise, and 2) They don't flatten me at all (or I couldn't get the XS past the top of my growths). It's supposed to be tight the guy said, but it doesn't serve its purpose in terms of flattening my chest.

Are there any other water-safe binding methods? I'm going to be really bummed if not, I've wanted to learn to surf since forever and I don't want to have to pass up on this opportunity....

Also as a sidenote I'd like to mention today in that surf shop was the first time I was ever depressed enough to even consider top surgery. When I saw myself in the mirror with that wet suit on I looked totally HOT. And then I saw my lumps....and it's totally not the way I want to look...... And I bummed out majorly at the sight of them.....I don't like them. I can't even consider the idea of going as a girl to this surf meet, in girl swimwear and stuff, because that would just destroy me. Because I'm not a girl....

I know how you feel can you not wear your normal binder under-neath. When I go swimming which is RARELY oftern then I go in with my binder and a t-shirt on. Otherwise I am not going in! Chris did find a site for swimming binders but its from Europe and costs something like 50 Euros and I HIGHLY doubt it would be with you in time for the meet.

Sorry I couldn't be much more of a help to you!

I got a binder from these guys in black http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120124488486&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002(order a size smaller than they say, from experience!) and wore it under a black rash guard like this: http://www.amazon.com/XCEL-Short-Sleeve-Lycra-Rashguard/dp/B0009NXZSW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1221072988&sr=8-4 and swim trunks.  Should work pretty well unless you are very large chested.

Note: tuck in the rash guard before you hit the water otherwise it floats up and you can see the binder underneath.  My rash guard and trunks are black, so I got the black binder; if you go white I'd get the binder to match.

Hope that helps!!

Oh, and if you're gonna pack you might want to wear a jock underneath with the packy.  I thought the mesh inner trunks were snug but found my packy wanting to move around a bit.  I wasn't in the water long so it didn't matter in my case.  Next time though...

Jay

P.S. just noticed you want to surf in a wet suit (should read the whole post rather than focusing on swim suit!)  Not sure my suggestion would help with that; I've never worn a wet suit.

Jay isn't that the normal binder though? The same from underworks? Cant we wear our normal binders?  I have a rash guard and it is a larger size and it would still show my lumps with a binder underneath plus it would be a HELL of alot more tighter to move in.

Isn't that link Nate to the same sort of binder you already own?

I'm small, so I think I can get away with wearing just a rash guard. I haven't tried it yet. But if i can't pass in the water, I won't be swimming in public until I can.

I hate the rain. I hate the pool. I try to avoid white shirts. Water is my enemy, because the second I'm wet my perky girl boobs show through.

The site I was on said binders are bad for water, that it makes them deteriorate over time. I like my binders too much (and spent too much money) to do that to them!

Jay, is the binder you gave me a link to water approved? Because I have a pool at home too, I heard chlorine was the worst for binders.

I was going to buy a rash guard for sure, assuming the neoprene vest didn't work out (and it didn't).

Also I don't have a packy to put in my trunks I wouldn't be able to order one in time... plus the jock strap. Is there something else I can use to pack? Is salt water bad for packys (in case I invest in one for future surf meets)?

This is very helpful, I just want to double check to make sure these items will all be ok in the water, I'm tight on cash now that I'm on my own and every penny spent has to be spent wisely.

And to the other Jay, I don't think we're supposed to wear our normal binders...... I don't think they had salt water in mind when they made those.

It's the same style as the binder I own yes, but if its different material (Water suitable) I'd buy it.

Quote from: Jay on September 10, 2008, 03:13:04 PM
Jay isn't that the normal binder though? The same from underworks? Cant we wear our normal binders?  I have a rash guard and it is a larger size and it would still show my lumps with a binder underneath plus it would be a HELL of alot more tighter to move in.

Isn't that link Nate to the same sort of binder you already own?

It's a single layer as opposed to the double compression shirt from underworks.  But yeah, it's a regular binder.  It seemed to work for me.  I'm a B/C but heavier than you skinny young guys.

I wore it and the rash guard was loose enough to hide the moobs; plus that's why I got one with a design on it (mine was a bit different than that one but had some waves and a logo across the chest).

Jay

Posted on: September 10, 2008, 04:15:11 PM

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Quote from: trapthavok on September 10, 2008, 03:40:41 PM
The site I was on said binders are bad for water, that it makes them deteriorate over time. I like my binders too much (and spent too much money) to do that to them!

Jay, is the binder you gave me a link to water approved? Because I have a pool at home too, I heard chlorine was the worst for binders.

I was going to buy a rash guard for sure, assuming the neoprene vest didn't work out (and it didn't).

Also I don't have a packy to put in my trunks I wouldn't be able to order one in time... plus the jock strap. Is there something else I can use to pack? Is salt water bad for packys (in case I invest in one for future surf meets)?

This is very helpful, I just want to double check to make sure these items will all be ok in the water, I'm tight on cash now that I'm on my own and every penny spent has to be spent wisely.

And to the other Jay, I don't think we're supposed to wear our normal binders...... I don't think they had salt water in mind when they made those.

It's the same style as the binder I own yes, but if its different material (Water suitable) I'd buy it.

I have no idea if it's chlorine approved.  You could email the seller. I was on vacation, it was hot and I wanted to swim.  If I were to take a surf class or something I'd think about buying several and just rinse them out immediately after wearing to try to preserve them.  But I did purposely buy my black one just to swim in. 

Jay

I love swimming and swam every day for many years. I can tell you elastic/ spandex anything won't like chlorine or salt water too much. I destroyed a few before I decided to just wrap a length of neoprene around my chest and it worked. I sewed some velcro on and tried it out. The only problem I had was when I dove in head first it tended to be pushed down so I learned to pull it up before I surfaced. I sewed some straps on to prevent it from moving and also is cheap, simple and doesn't kill your good binder if you have one.

You can usually get a length of neoprene for a few bucks from a surf or dive shop. Get something about 1.5x your chest and trim to fit. Don't cut it overly short. Wear a shirt of your choice and if anyone asks just tell them it is a back brace. I swam daily with it over my shirt at the local Y and nobody figured it out, not once. Most people would ask if I broke my ribs. The thickness determines compression and warmth, so smaller guys might use a 3mm and the bigger guys use say a 7mm. I used a 5mm and that was fine. Increasing the size can also keep you warmer and can be worn under wet or dry suit. I know divers who do this as an extra layer in particularly cold water. For all you boys who are new this year to binding welcome to a benefit of binding, it will keep you warm in the winter.

In terms of packing I suggest condoms but I don't know if latex is salt water friendly in which case find the polyurethane ones. Woman's condoms are almost always polyurethane. Fill a plain latex condom with hair gel without alcohol and tie it shut. Then put it in another condom and then cover that with a polyurethane condom. Then toss it in your jock and pin it shut. You can also use your briefs but then you want to sew the outside hole on your briefs shut and pin the top. Make sure there is no air inside; you don't want to have a floating cock.

->-bleeped-<-boy

Meh. As far as packing goes, I don't want to use condoms. I'm going to invest in a real packer before swimming. Those things are water proof, as far as I know. I'll probably get a couple so I have a separate one for swimming.

Quote from: Elwood on September 10, 2008, 05:50:00 PM
Meh. As far as packing goes, I don't want to use condoms. I'm going to invest in a real packer before swimming. Those things are water proof, as far as I know. I'll probably get a couple so I have a separate one for swimming.

LOL I have a freakin' drawerful of cocks!  If I ever start swimming regularly I'll probably use the one I killed...still functional I suppose but I replaced it.  If the chlorine kills it its no loss.

Jay

Quote from: sneakersjay on September 10, 2008, 05:55:12 PM

Quote from: Elwood on September 10, 2008, 05:50:00 PMMeh. As far as packing goes, I don't want to use condoms. I'm going to invest in a real packer before swimming. Those things are water proof, as far as I know. I'll probably get a couple so I have a separate one for swimming.

LOL I have a freakin' drawerful of cocks!  If I ever start swimming regularly I'll probably use the one I killed...still functional I suppose but I replaced it.  If the chlorine kills it its no loss.

Jay

Meh. I don't have any yet. I'm being indecisive, and I'm worried that they'll all be too big.

QuoteMeh. I don't have any yet. I'm being indecisive, and I'm worried that they'll all be too big.

The 3.5" small soft packy shouldn't be too big and it squishes nicely. 

Jay

Quote from: sneakersjay on September 10, 2008, 06:12:06 PM

QuoteMeh. I don't have any yet. I'm being indecisive, and I'm worried that they'll all be too big.

The 3.5" small soft packy shouldn't be too big and it squishes nicely. 

Jay

Hmm. Thanks. I'll take a look.

Nate: if you've got the cash, this might work out for you.  It's a swimsuit by underworks made especially for FTM's...  It binds up top, has a pouch for a packy down below. Check http://www.ftm.underworks.com/ for the 'Concealer Compression Swimsuit.'  It actually looks like something suitable for surfing, too.

Quote from: Eryk on September 11, 2008, 09:07:08 AM
Nate: if you've got the cash, this might work out for you.  It's a swimsuit by underworks made especially for FTM's...  It binds up top, has a pouch for a packy down below. Check http://www.ftm.underworks.com/ for the 'Concealer Compression Swimsuit.'  It actually looks like something suitable for surfing, too.

WTF 75 BUCKS. Did I mention I live on my own and make 280 a month?! (First payday hasn't come yet....)

It's cool looking too but they force you to buy the bottom half too I want to wear swim trunks, I shouldn't have to pay for their shorts. Maybe I can ask them to buy separately, but it def won't be here in time for surf clinic 1.

Jay do you know how much abuse your packy can take? As in, how many times did you swim with it, and is it still intact?

Tboy, I can't sew

QuoteJay do you know how much abuse your packy can take? As in, how many times did you swim with it, and is it still intact?

No idea, really.  I only used mine for swimming that one time.  That said, I do wear it daily and wash it daily and, er, play with it daily and it's in good shape.  I'm talking about the cheapy $12 one. Seems fairly indestructible.  Well, unless you poke it with hot things and make holes in it, that is...even still that one is still functional.

Jay

Think I saw a compression swimsuit on Underworks recently.  Don't remember how much it cost though.


nevermind saw someone mentioned it already

They sell the swimsuit pieces separately so I can just buy the top if I want!!!

Top price: $45.

I thought you guys might want to know that if anyone else was interested.

The packy is $12 like you said Jay. The shirt might come before the packy though, the site says 4 - 6 weeks? for delivery whereas underworks emailed me a reply, and their address was listed in it...they're close by! (Same state and all!) So maybe it can get here by Saturday..... I had emailed the president of the surf club for different reasons (school related) then mentioned I might not be able to surf for medical reasons, even though I really want to..she's pushing me to surf lol.

If I add everything up, maybe

$20 for trunks
$14 or less (HOPEFULLY less) for sandals, cause I can't wear my sneakers to the beach LOL (You'd think I'd have a decent pair of sandals considering I'm 45 minutes from the beach)
$45 for my compression shirt
$5 or less for a beach towel
$10 sunscreen...
$12 for the packy
$12 for shipping [packy and shirt combined]

$118

god what am I going to do with my glasses....
UGH why didn't I think all this through

They sell special goggles that have lenses which act as glasses (to your prescription and everything) but that was pricey...
And then there's wearing contacts and hoping they don't fall out (which are pricey and don't take a short amount of time to order....

Quote from: Eryk on September 11, 2008, 09:07:08 AM
Nate: if you've got the cash, this might work out for you.  It's a swimsuit by underworks made especially for FTM's...  It binds up top, has a pouch for a packy down below. Check http://www.ftm.underworks.com/ for the 'Concealer Compression Swimsuit.'  It actually looks like something suitable for surfing, too.

Yes this. I want one!!!

Quote from: trapthavok on September 11, 2008, 03:41:54 PM

god what am I going to do with my glasses....
UGH why didn't I think all this through

They sell special goggles that have lenses which act as glasses (to your prescription and everything) but that was pricey...
And then there's wearing contacts and hoping they don't fall out (which are pricey and don't take a short amount of time to order....

When I needed my glasses to see, I used to buy surgical tubing that just fit over the ends of the earpieces, cut it short enough that it strapped the glasses to my head, and wear them that way. Never lost a pair, even in wild water wipeouts.

Dennis