SPLASH
3/19/2008 10:16:14 AM by Wave Editorial Staff
Your source for must-have essentials for water aficionados looking for the best products and events under the sun.
DUNE BUGGY
Some classics only get better with time, and the 2008 Dodge Challenger is no exception. With 425 horsepower, 420 lbs-ft of torque, and its sleek iconic lines, it’ll have you screaming and running over sand dunes just like in the Dukes of Hazard. Starts at $40,095 at Dodge.com.
SALTPROOF SHADES
Maui Jim’s Wailea Sunglasses are ultra-lightweight rimless lenses that aren’t affected by saltwater, so you can stay close to your favorite place on Earth. Perfect for round, oval, pear and diamond-shaped faces, the glasses are also available with your prescription. Start your swim toward style for $259 at MauiJim.com.
OUTDOOR TV
If you want hi-def no matter where you go, check out the new SunBriteTV 4600HD, an all-weather outdoor 46-inch flatscreen that will hold up against any weather your travels take you through. The corrosion-resistant, powder-coated aluminum exterior protects the internal TV components from rain, dirt, insects and other outdoor elements, and it’ll keep its cool in temperatures as high as 122º F and as low as 32º F. Try saying that about anything, or anyone. Get one for $4,695 at SunBriteTV.com.
WATER PATROL
Florida may be known for its crystal-blue swimming pools in almost every home, but amid all the fun one shouldn’t forget safety. Devices like the AquaGuard Inground Pool Alarm System detect a child, pet or object with a minimum weight of 18 lbs falling into a pool or spa. When the alarm is set off, a siren sounds at the main unit by the pool and in the wireless remote inside the house. Start swimming safer for $495 at AquaGuard-Pool-Alarm.com.
SAND SHOE
The Zamberlan 144 Crest XCR is an ideal shoe for a morning beach run, adventure travel or every day use. Its A.M.S. sole ensures underfoot comfort, stability and traction and a Goretex XCR membrane for waterproofness and breathability. Get a pair for $119 at ZamberlanStore.com.
POOLSIDE REFRESHMENTS
You don’t have to be a bartender to have perfectly mixed drinks poolside. Digital Beverages’ My Fountain dispenses drinks at the touch of button, from your favorite beer or wine to a fruit drink or vitamin-enhanced water. If you feel like trying something new, the machine also lets you program different drinks and combinations of flavors, and it’ll block access to alcoholic drinks with a password in case there are any underage children in the house. At just about the size of a coffee machine, it takes all the work out of a really good cocktail. Start drinking in style at DigitalBeverages.com.
EARTH RIDE
Even small things can change the world, and the Smart Car is no exception. It’s environmentally safe every step of the way, from production, when steps like using only water-soluble paints for cars are taken, to the road, where the car’s extremely low exhaust emissions classify it at as an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV). Find out more at SmartUSA.com.
WEIGHT WATCHER
Proof that you can have a heart-rate monitor loaded with techie features without the clutter, the Suunto T3 Watch is like having a personal trainer without the pressure. It shows your heart rate, real-time calories burned and has a pedometer to boot. Available for $149.99-$169.99 at Suunto.com.
PRIME PATIO
If you’re looking for patio furniture that doesn’t look like patio furniture but will still hold up to the outdoors and complement your new pool, try Sharron Lewis’ line of outdoor furniture, which includes the Istanbul Chair that also comes with a sofa. Get the chair for $1,250 and the sofa for $2,450 at Sharron Lewis Design Central, 305.373.7330.
DOGGY RAMP
Your furry four-legged friend might love the water as much as you, but make sure he can get out when he needs to with the Skamper-Ramp. It angles down from a pool or boat into the water placing it at eye level to your pet, so it can be seen day or night. It’s white because that’s the one color all living creatures see — most are color-blind to certain colors. Recently, the company released the Super Skamper-Ramp, which is suitable for all size animals and everyday/frequent use. The original Skamper-Ramp for small animals (under 40 lbs./critters in water-escape situations) is also available. Get a regular size for $35.95 and a Super Skamper-Ramp for $98.95 at Skamper-Ramp.com.