Technology: Be the local big wave hero!

Quiksilver finally releases a vest for the rest of us!

When the buoys start bobbing up and down well out at sea and purple blobs appear on screens and the grizzled men at Starbucks speak in hushed towns about the upcoming “swell event” whilst gripping maple pecan lattes what happens to your heart?

Does it leap within your chest and do you think, “Yes! Time to break out the big dawg and surf ______ (fill in the blank with your biggest local wave)!” or does it grow cold and do you feel, “I’m going to be sick and go watch Blade Runner 2024 at _________ (fill in the blank with your local movie theater).” instead?

Well don’t worry if you are the later because Quiksilver has given you a spine and that spine is named The Highline Airlift powered by Aqualung. That’s right! An inflatable vest for the rest of us!

Before you are allowed to look you must click “I agree” after the following bit of text:

The Quiksilver Highline Airlift vest is designed for use by experienced adult surfers. Using it successfully requires strong swimming skills, ocean knowledge, collaboration with other surfers and lifeguards, and like the rest of your equipment — it must be cared for and used correctly. Proper use of the vest requires adherence to manufacturer’s instructions.

The Airlift vest is a safety tool, not a performance enhancer. Do not take greater risks while using this vest.

But we all know that risk is the game when cushioned by air. There’s no way anything can go wrong. Right? Tom Carroll uses one Pete Mel uses one Jamie Mitchell uses one and you use one, local hero.

Just think how fantastic you will feel on the beach in front of 6-8 foot Bolsa Chica or Grandview or El Porto or Emma Wood or Avila Beach waxing your gun, peering out to sea with a steely look in your eye. Poseidon’s rage bubbling like thunderclaps but let him rage. Let all the gods rage and you leash up and paddle as the tourists whisper, “That is the bravest man I have ever seen.”

The waves are almost touching the bottom of Huntington’s pier or, like, maybe six or seven feet from touching the bottom of Huntington’s pier but you are fearless. You are unbent. You are strong. And you paddle and you surf and all of the people eating at Ruby’s whisper, “Is that a god surfing out there?”

And if they could hear your voice shouting above the roaring din they would hear, “Nope. It’s just me in my Quiksilver Highline Airlift vest. Booya suckers!

Buy here and get ready. Winter is coming.

P.S. I am going to use my vest surfing 4-6 foot Swamis and also in the lazy river at Legoland’s California Adventure.

P.P.S If you haven’t seen Blade Runner 2024 yet… I won’t spoil it for you but maybe bring something else to do while it is playing. A book or something.