Ever wonder what happens when a tennis ball strikes cheap sunglasses on someone’s face? Eek.

Because we plan on playing outside as much as possible this summer (and keeping our vision intact!), we’re smitten with POC’s all-new line of shades, especially the bold WAS frame pictured ($299.95).

The brand is known for merging high safety standards with impeccable style, and the sunglasses are no exception. From high-tech lenses to hand-processed frames, every detail is about performance and safety.

Bottom line? These shades have it made! —Christine Laroche

Austrian Ski Shop, 5706 Monkland Ave., 514-483-3666, www.austrianskishop.com

For a hardcore downtown girl, Laval seems almost as far away as Maui. But we’ll take the half-hour commute to surf over a day-long flight to Hawaii anytime.

Montreal is now home to Maeva Surf the first indoor surfing site in Canada. Using Flowrider technology, a pump propels 8-inches of water over a trampoline like fabric, allowing riders to “flowboard” ($30 / 30 minutes), a technique mixing surfing and snowboarding.

Aloha abs!

Maeva Surf, 2005 Daniel-Johnson, Laval, 450 934-6238, www.maevasurf.com

Whether you’re in it for pure sport or sheer pleasure (read: fit foreign boys), football fever is everywhere.

We’re showing our true colors in a limited-edition shirt from Umbro’s World Champions Collection (from $40). Artists from past winning nations have created seven funky designs that scream Ole, Ole, Ole. Ninteen-fifty champion Uruguay features a hand-drawn dripping effect, while Italy’s image by Tanino Liberatore looks like a '70s rock god.  And Bob Eine’s red lion, crown and castle crest on England’s jersey?

To that we say, Goaaall!

At Three Monkeys, Les Cours Mont-Royal, 1455 Peel St., Montreal, 514-284-1333, www.threemonkeys.ca

Girls just wanna have fun, but when their gym kit makes them look like Little Miss Sunshine, you can bet they won't be turning cartwheels.

There's no sitting on the sidelines with Lilikiks, a Vancouver-based girls activewear line that has just launched its online store.

With on-trend colours, super-soft fabrics, and high-end technical detailing, styles like these will take them from tennis to track and back again.

She shoots, she scores!

Shop by sport or by style at their new e-store.

www.lilikiks.com

Our annual bikini-countdown power walks are always easier in new togs.

We discovered a jackpot of stylish Swedish workout wear at Peak Performance, a new boutique tucked into the basement of Promenade Greene. Strut up the mountain in turquoise Yogini capris ($100) and a sleek wind jacket with detachable hood (from $120). Or bike along the Lachine Canal in pretty pink Carbon shorts and a drawstring-hemmed tank (from $80). 

You’ll be fit as a (fashion) fiddle in no time.

At Promenade Greene, 1334 Greene Ave., Westmount, 514- 935-1522, www.peakperformance.com

If your little ski-wee is already threatening to board out of bounds, you need to know about this.

The new line of kids' body armour from Sweden's PoCito includes these hot orange spine protectors, as well as helmets, gloves and goggles suitable for budding Ross Rebagliati's ages 4 to 10.

Just be glad they aren't "budding" anything else—yet!

Available at Advanced Kinetic Systems, 6-1212 Alpha Lake Rd., Fuction Junction, Whistler B.C., 604-905-1223, www.akswhistler.com

Or order online ($20 shipping to Canada) at Peak Ski Shop.

A night on the town is divine, but when temperatures drop, our nesting instincts kick in hard.

Despite lazy evenings on the couch, we’re keeping our style factor in check thanks to a few basics from Montreal’s Mission Fitness. From comfy yoga pants and long-sleeved t-shirts to stylish jackets and capris, these pretty pieces (from $25) make our curves look long and lean. And the sunny palette of colours (turquoise, cranberry, sea green) helps keep winter blues at bay.

At this rate, we might even attempt a few crunches in front of the TV.

Available at Mimi et Leelou, 2188B Mount-Royal St. E., 514-690-1133.

Learning how to surf used to mean booking a week’s worth of lessons in Costa Rica, but now we can ride the waves right downtown (well, almost).

Montreal’s 2Imagine earned a page in surf history books when it opened the world’s first river surfing school.  Two-day workshops take place in the currents beside Habitat ’67 and include basic body-boarding, knee-boarding and stand-up techniques. Before you know it, you’ll be hanging a perfect ten, baby!

Group lessons, $100/day, private lessons $75/hour (helmet and environmentally-friendly surf board included), www.2imagine.net

No time for a vacation? A weekend mini-break to Lake Placid , New York can be just as divine.

sleep
The charming Mirror Lake Inn has picturesque views across the lake. Every afternoon, guests at this Dirty Dancing-style resort are treated to tea and fresh chocolate chip cookies. Get a maple sugar body scrub at the spa or take a peddle-boat ride off their private beach. Rooms start at $300/night. 77 Mirror Lake Drive Lake Placid, New York, www.mirrorlakeinn.com

drink
It’s been a hectic day of relaxing and you’re parched. Enjoy a refreshing Ubu Ale at the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery . If you ask very nicely, the brewer himself will take you on a private tour. 14 Mirror Lake Drive Lake Placid, New York, 518-523-3813, www.ubuale.com

fish
If you’re in need of excitement, call up Gary Marchuk of Bear Cub Adventure tours. His personalized fishing trips will have you convening with nature in no time. He’ll even bait your hook. 518-523-4339, www.mountain-air.com/canoeing

eat
Indulge in a gourmet meal at Kanu Restaurant in the White Face Lodge Resort & Spa. Organic dishes such as Caramelized Diver Sea Scallops ($32) are prepared in an open-kitchen and served under 28-foot ceilings. 7 Whiteface Inn Lane, Lake Placid, New York, 800-903-4045, www.thewhitefacelodge.com