High temperatures this summer have driven thousands of Bermudians outdoors and retailers specialising in outdoor gear are reporting record sales of many items. In sharp contrast popular clothing retailers say summer sales are flat.

Self-tanning swimsuits, top-of-the-line sporting sandals, squirting noodles, inflatable mattresses and ice coolers on wheels have been some of the best summer sellers.

This is the first summer that Darin Mayeaux, manager of Sports R Us, has been selling a solar-tan-through swimsuit and he said sales had been going very well.

"You use the suit to get a really nice tan,'' he said, "it cuts down on the embarrassing tan lines by allowing 45 percent of the sun's rays to actually penetrate the suit's fibres.

Mr. Mayeaux said that the suit had been in existence for quite a few years but that he chose to stock it this year because of the modern styles that had been produced.

Ranging upward in price from $85 the swimsuits are available for both men and women.

All the rage in the US, Mr. Mayeaux reported that the Rider line of sandals had also been a big seller at his store this summer.

"It is a cushioned sandal with a high-tech look that comes in several fun colours which match the iMac computers,'' he said. "We have found that customers that buy a pair tend to come back for another pair in a different colour,'' he continued.

A lace-up aqua sock with cushioned heel provides better support for the foot according to Mayeaux and he said that at $20 sales of this item were booming.

Vice president at Masters Ltd. Mark Stearns said his shop had already sold out of huge ice coolers and drinks pitchers which came mounted on wheels.

"Very popular was the Rubbermaid 42 quart cooler and a five gallon pitcher which both were on wheels,'' he said. "We are sold out of both.'' Mr. Stearns said that oil burning lawn torches were also grabbed up quickly and reported that he had no more of them in stock either.

But the hottest summer item had been the soak-a-saurus, a variation on the floating noodle which took the Island by storm last year.

The soak-a-saurus, a noodle outfitted with a mini dinosaur head, can not only keep children afloat but also serves as a squirting beach toy to keep them amused and entertained.

Retailers' sunny smiles Retailing for about $13, the popular item is in short supply at Gorhams where manager Rod Ferguson noted that it was being grabbed up by adults and children alike.

Another sell-out item at the hardware stores was a large 7ft umbrella with sides.

"The beach hut did very well,'' said Mr. Ferguson, "I think people liked that it not only blocked out the sun and wind but also provided a good amount of privacy.'' Gorhams, Masters and Sports R Us all reported healthy sales of camping gear with shoppers this year showing particular interest in inflatable mattresses.

"I think the interest has probably just been word of mouth,'' said Mr.

Ferguson, "People who camped last year probably saw a few people with the inflatable mattresses and realised it was more comfortable than sleeping on the ground so this year they've bought ones for themselves.'' Darin Mayeaux, manager at Sports R Us also reported that a new beach towel called Snap-To-It is gaining ground. Snap-To-It features a terry cloth beach towel backed with nylon together with a pillow. The items come in a mesh carrying case and fall into a comfortable seat when thrown on the ground.

Mr. Mayeaux pointed out that the nylon backing on the towel allowed sand to fall freely from it and guarded against wetness, thereby providing a cleaner item to be carried away from the beach.

But while the outdoor retailers happily reported their best selling products, popular clothing retailers sang a different tune.

All the Hamilton department stores have had pre-Cup Match sales but none that we spoke with were able to report increases over last year.

Pierre Dutoya, general manager of the Hornburg Calypso group of companies, although describing business during the pre-Cup match sales as "excellent'', admitted that his business had been adversely affected by low air visitor arrivals.

"Our sales have been excellent but in May we experienced a fall as air arrivals dropped 11 percent,'' he said.

Alfred Spearing, vice president and general merchandise manager of H. & A. E.

Smiths Ltd., described the summer sales as "flat''.

"We started our sale before everyone else on July 12,'' he said, "and sales were up over last year, but last year it rained hard for two hours at the start of our sale,'' he continued. "Our sales are not as strong as they were two years ago, and that is reflective of our general economy. Local spending is up overseas, there are low visitor arrivals and the new duty arrangement the Government introduced is actually hindering us.'' "Our duty on natural fibres has effectively increased 400 percent,'' he said, "and Smith's has a reputation for selling quality cotton, silks and wools.

Mr. Spearing admitted that sales at the Front Street department store were not on target.

"I cannot say it any better than to say our sales are flat,'' he said, "that best describes it.''