The "Chase" is a capture-the-flag tournament in which four-man teams wear "Glazers," sunglasses with ink-filled squirt guns attached to them. One team wins when it captures all three of the other team's flags or hits all of its opponents with a "Glazer."

In addition to squirt-gun contests, the local bars and nightclubs offer an interesting variety of events. The Summers on the Beach nightclub makes videos of wet T-shirt contests. Last year, the video featured five Penthouse models. In addition, many bars offer bikini and belly-flop contests.

For people who need sunblock with an SPF of 25 or more to protect their bodies from blistering, many bars offer "red lobster" contests. And West recommends the banana-eating contest to anyone planning a trip to Ft. Lauderdale. "They line up all these great looking girls and see who can eat a banana the best," he says.

In addition, on many "package" vacations, hotels and clubs will throw in "freebies" to promote business. "Many of our packages offer free tips and gratuities, a welcoming party and free drinks at various clubs," says Jennifer E. Brummage '90, manager of Harvard Student Agencies' (HSA) Let's Go Travel Service. Crimson Travel also offers incentives in many of its package tours, including a free beach party and boat ride.

Despite all of the excitement they experienced last year, neither Stovell nor West plans to return this spring. "This year I'm going to Martinique Island for the World Windsurfing Championship," Stovell says. "I've got to practice for the Summer Olympics."

And his decision may be part of a national trend. Travel agents and residents of Ft. Lauderdale say they have seen a steady decline in the number of college-age vacationers in Ft. Lauderdale.

According to Risbergs of the Riviera, the number of spring-breakers in Ft. Lauderdale has decined from 350,000 in 1985 to 200,000 in 1987. "People are moving away from Ft. Lauderdale because of stories of overcrowding," says Brummage of HSA Travel. "The most popular spot is South Padre Island in Texas."

Though some explain the move away from Florida as a response to congestion, other factors may be at work. "Down here it's not against the law to go topless on the beach," says Bill E. Fittipodi, beverage manager for the Sheraton Hotel on South Padre Island. "One of the events at the hotel is the tan-line contest. A well-known battle cry during the contest is `skin to win.'"

Although fewer students head to South Padre--police say they expect 100,000 on the island this year--than Ft. Lauderdale, the island is not without its rowdiness. "One time last year, I walked outside, and some kids started chucking Corona bottles down from the balcony at me," says Fittipodi. "The saying down here is 'shit happens.'"

But Fittipodi says he likes the excitement of spring break.

"In the winter, we get all the `snowbirds', these old [people] who come' down here in their R.V.s [campers] and drive real low. Spring break is a nice change of pace," he says.

The island also offers a wide range of activities, hotel owners say. This spring, Eddie Money and Triumph will perform on the island. Last year, the island hosted Stevie Ray Vaughn and The Fabulous Thunderbirds In addition to the female-oriented wet T-shirt and bikini contests, the island also holds "best buns" contests for men.

No matter where you go, anyone who ventures out for a good time on spring break can take comfort from the words of Scott E. Mortman '88: "A good time during spring break is a fine way of completing a true liberal education."