`1970s Summers at the Beach

Ah, the 1970s and summers of youth are synonymous with school breaks, summer camp, and beach treks. Let's take a leap back in time and maybe embrace the newer versions of 70s beach wear -

Inspired by daring string bikinis, halter tops, and Olympic swimmer one-pieces suits, women had LOTS of choices at the beach. Men either dared to wear micro banana hammock swimsuits or classic surfer board shorts.

It was all about the tan and less about the water. It was seeing and being seen. Hormones were at an all-time high and spring break became the young adult coming-of-age event.

When it was once just Florida that saw spring breakers, they expanded out in the 70s to beach locations all over the south. In this decade, the wet t-shirt contest became the new staple, as were Hawaiian Tropic and Coppertone beauty contests.

Sports Illustrated, supermodels like Cheryl Tiegs and Christie Brinkley, celebrities like Farrah Fawcett with her beach-bleached hair, became the new faces of a liberated decade.

Along with skateboarding and rollerskating, surfing saw a new influx of the wave obsessed. The Beach Boys helped launch the vibe, along with the 60s Frankie Avalon flicks, but being outdoors in the sun and baring your skin helped inspire youths to give surfing a try.