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Avoid chafing with ‘rash free’ Boardshorts and Trunks

Avoid chafing with ‘rash free’ Boardshorts and Trunks

No Chafe. Rash Free Boardshorts & Trunks

The chafing must stop. It has to! BUT, do ‘rash free’ boardshorts and trunks exist? Has someone addressed this issue and designed a pair of shorts that are meant to be worn all day, and reduce or eliminate the chafe and rash?

The average swimsuit is comfortable for a swim or two, but after repeated use, the chafing can be unbearable. Especially in salt water. Add any running to your routine, and you have yourself a disaster. Ask any lifeguard or aquatic sports enthusiast who spends day after day in the water. The rash and chafing can be so irritating, you become desperate for a solution.

We can’t tell you all the secrets, but we can tell you about our Watermen boardshorts and trunks with built in liners. When you take a high quality pair of trunks or boardshorts and add a high quality liner, the outcome is very comfortable. Not to mention, these shorts have been tested and redesigned over decades to perfect every aspect, from seams to pocket placement. If you cant tell, we obviously have some passion behind creating the best possible pair of shorts. We love doing this!

Rash Free Boardshorts and Trunks for Lifeguards and Aquatic Sports

For daily use and especially aquatic sports, the shorts must provide flexibility, and avoid friction at all costs. At Watermen, this is our specialty. Over the decades, we have worked with lifeguards, medics, and watermen of all types to create trunks and boardshorts that are virtually rash-free. For an occupation like lifeguarding, the quality is unparalleled. After running up and down the beach all day, in and out of the water, the average pair of swim trunks or board shorts will have you doubled over in pain or taking wide steps to avoid any more chafing. Thankfully, this can be avoided.

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We combine premium quality shorts with liners of the highest quality fabric to produce the perfect pair of shorts. The ‘Cool-Plus’ liner in our Rincon Stretch short provides superior comfort and support.

 

It is all about a high quality, no chafe liner:

The Watermen rash free boardshorts and trunks have a moisture wicking, antimicrobial liner which is designed to reduce any friction or chafing and provide extra support and comfort. Both the trunks and liner are made from ‘top of the line’ rapid drying, lightweight materials.  

Have you ever wanted a pair of shorts you can swim in, sleep in, run in, and workout in? Well, we have for decades! The whole idea that started this brand in the first place, was to build a pair of trunks capable of 50 hour work weeks, wet or dry, always comfortable – and most importantly, no chafe.

 

A Winter Wetsuit Alone May Not Cut It

A Winter Wetsuit Alone May Not Cut It

Jeff Clark, Mavericks

Whether they surf or SUP, lobster dive or scuba, swim or sail, most seasoned watermen know what it’s like to be in and around the water even when it’s a tad unbearable during winter. We know what it’s like to be out in a variety of water temps and conditions, even if some have the luxury of living in a sub-tropical or tropical location.

A wetsuit is an obvious piece of gear to wear into cold water. In California we split the year into two: spring suits and trunks; and in the winter 3-, 4-, and 5-mil suits. Yet sometimes, that’s just not enough. In addition to your full winter wetsuit, you might need a little extra “armor”.

Here’s some extra tips to add even more warmth when your wetsuit isn’t cutting it and you just can’t stay out of the water.

+Don the booties. A lot of us are not huge fans of extra accessories weighing us down in the lineup but we can attest to booties adding a significant amount of warmth to the whole body.

When you compare the tradeoff of extra warmth to extra weight/drag, warmth wins based on how it improves attitude, energy levels and physical range of motion. Those on the North Pacific and North Atlantic coasts don’t think twice, particularly when the offshore winds howl around. Some may even don the hoods and booties for 6 months of the year!

+Extra neoprene. The more you wear – the better. This means choosing a wetsuit with enough thickness for the water temp, but also being knowledgeable when it comes to the seams and construction of the wetsuit itself. Glued seams and zipper-less wetsuits tend to be the warmest.

All that extra neoprene can be bulky and rigid. And unless you’re paying top dollar for your wetsuit, you’ll likely get some chaffing on your thighs and neck, and knees and arm pits (at the body’s main joints). In addition to our performance rash guards for your neck and arms, our boardshort & wetsuit liners are great to wear under a wetsuit.

+Layers, layers, layers. We’ve covered this plenty before with some other basic tips to keep warm in winter, but it’s so important it’s worth emphasizing again.

Using layers to keep your core temperature higher will significantly increase your blood flow and temperature. And that will significantly increase how long you can stay out in your favorite element. Using our amphibious compression shorts under your wetsuit will do just that. Further, they’re extremely comfortable with their ultra-soft material, and they’re the perfect base layer – guaranteed rash free.

All in all, being out in the cold is bound to happen if you are a serious water- enthusiast and athlete, but being cold and shivering doesn’t have to be the result. Using these tips and tricks might not make you ready to tackle the polar ice caps, but we’re pretty sure your next cold session will be a little toastier.

Here’s more tips and tricks on our blog if you want to learn more from our experience of surviving in, recovering from and even enjoying the bitter cold waters of winter—

The watermen crew takes on Chicama…

The watermen crew takes on Chicama…


SEPTEMBER 26,2018

WATERMEN CREW: CHICAMA PERU SURF TRIP

Let’s state the obvious here, this is one wave you’ll dream about forever and our crew is stoking to surf it. Chicama is best known for having the longest wave in the world, then you can mosey over to Pico Alto for one of the biggest waves in the world, not a bad place huh? Don’t even get us started on the food there, ceviche for days… Maybe not the “American Dream” but sure as heck the “Watermen Dream”.

We’ll land in Lima take a jumper flight to Trujillo, and by that time the froth sets in. Once we are in Trujillo we hitch a ride to Chicama, the trip usually takes around 45 minutes, give or take how hungry we are. Start the days off with some eggs and bacon, hop on the zodiac and surf until your thighs are too sore to move.

Why do we do this to our bodies? Why do we travel to the ends of the earth all for a wave? Honestly, I couldn’t tell you, but here at Watermen we are hooked on that feeling. That feeling of adventure and being in the ocean, and what better way to travel than with your favorite crew? Maybe we could do without Ryan, since he is notorious for snaking waves.

Next month’s newsletter will have some pictures from our trip. I imagine a few stories of mishap and casualties, more than anything tales of one of the best waves around the world. But for now, we will leave you at the edge of your seat wanting more…

– The Watermen Crew

Want to Be a Lifeguard? What it Takes to Get Through Lifeguard Training

Want to Be a Lifeguard? What it Takes to Get Through Lifeguard Training

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Lifeguard Training

Lifeguard jobs require you to be strong, fit and able to swim. No matter what kind of lifeguard you decide to be (beach or pool), you need to start a training program.  You have to be able to swim and swim well. Not only is your life at risk but also the victims you are privileged to save.

Lifeguard Apparel

Training programs start with the right clothing. Choosing the right lifeguard apparel can increase or decrease your speed. Both Men’s lifeguard boardshorts, or women’s lifeguard swimsuits can fall off in the waves, restrict arm movement, cause rashes, and become transparent over time. Baggy lifeguard apparel without draining pockets create drag and slow you down. That is why proper lifeguard apparel is dire.

Women’s Lifeguard Swimsuits

Our lifeguard store carries a variety of one piece and two-piece lifeguard swimsuits made for competitive women. They are made from top quality materials; and they fit right and stay on through the roughest conditions. The X-Back Elite a one-piece lifeguard swimsuit and the Surf Bikini a two-piece lifeguard swimsuit are both durable, outrageously comfortable, and are double lined with cute thin straps.

Men’s Lifeguard Boardshorts and Trunks

For those men who prefer board shorts our lifeguard boardshorts come with a rash free guarantee, have self-draining pockets and are made with ultra-soft nonabrasive material. The hottest trend for male lifeguards this year is the more efficient Watermen Short or boardshort liner worn under their lifeguard boardshorts. These boardshort liners, also known as compression shorts are made for the water, workouts and competitions. Watermen compression shorts help stabilize the joints and keep muscles warm, preventing muscle strain. Research shows that the compression shorts help decrease the heart rate and the lactic build up in athletes, therefore reducing the time it takes for muscles to repair themselves.

Note: Keeping your muscles warm before and after workouts or competitions is very important. Jumping in water with cold muscles can create all kinds of muscular problems. Remember cold muscles equal slower swim times and cramped muscles.

Male lifeguards, especially in winter often wear rashguards to help keep the upper body warm.

Physical Lifeguard Training

Swim Strokes

The two most commonly used strokes in competitions are the freestyle and breast stroke. You may choose any style stoke you feel most comfortable with, but the freestyle stroke known as the front crawl is the most common and is the fastest. Beginners who are uncomfortable in the water need to practice this stroke. The freestyle stroke burns around 500-700 calories an hour with moderate to high intensity.

Using the breaststroke in practice will build strength in your shoulders, legs, hamstrings, triceps, inner thighs, and builds strong chest muscles. This breaststroke is performed while you are on your chest, and you swim without moving your trunk. This breaststroke burns approximately 720 calories in an hour.

 Developing Your Own Technique

Your personal technique can improve your time, and increases your endurance.  Simple improvements can be made just by changing the position of your hands and feet. Your swim stroke should be pulled straight back as you roll on your side, and take a breath, and your elbow should come straight up by your ear as it reenters the water. You want to extend and glide as much as you can with each stroke. Make sure you stretch your body out and roll slightly as you reach forward. Using a pair of lifeguard fins will teach you to use your upper leg and glut muscles, creating a more powerful kick rather than using just your knee and foot. Swim fins also help by increasing the flexibility of your ankles.  You should also use swimmer’s snorkel, so that you can focus on body rotation and arm strokes with ease.

Do not hold your breath under water while swimming. Instead practice bilateral breathing. You can do this by exhaling when your face enters the water, and blowing out through your mouth.

Note: It is important that the air is blown out slowly, exhaling too fast might obstruct the next inhalation, causing hyperventilation.

Warm-ups

Always remember to do warm up exercises and stretch your joints, and muscles before you enter the water. Three sets of 8 full body squats will warm up hips, legs and back. Rotating the arms forward and backwards in both small and large circles will loosen up the shoulders and bring blood to the arms. Even doing a light jog will help increase oxygen to your muscles. And as always have plenty of fluids handy to keep your body well hydrated.

Weights

The use of weights will help make you stronger. Swimmers improve their performance and endurance by building muscle in their upper body. Remember powerful shoulders and arms propel you through the water. You do not need to use weights daily; remember your body requires rest days to allow the muscles to recover. It is important to develop your own weight strength program and aim to increase repetitions. At home or at the gym you can use standing dumbbells, resistance machines or exercise bands to build muscular strength and endurance.

Diet

A swimmer’s diet needs to combine protein and carbohydrates to ensure there is good muscular growth and endurance.

Pre-workout Meal

A great pre-workout meal is wheat toast with fruit, banana with a little cinnamon has been linked to stabilizing blood sugar, and improving brain function. If bananas aren’t your thing, try yogurt with a ½ a cup of trail mix, or even a yogurt and fruit smoothie

After Workout – Recovery Meal

When you are in recovery mode try grilled chicken with steamed veggies. If you must pan cook the veggies opt for olive oil instead of butter. Another option for those seafood lovers is salmon with sweet potato.

Whatever you choose to eat, just remember this is what will fuel you through to your optimal condition for what comes next, lifeguard certification and testing, which we will discuss in detail, in the next post.

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How to Stay Warm in Cold Water – rescues, swimming, spearfishing, sailing, kayaking and more!

How to Stay Warm in Cold Water – rescues, swimming, spearfishing, sailing, kayaking and more!

cold water, warm water gear, stay salty, earn your salt, original watermen

How can they do it with no wetsuit? How can people will themselves to take off their clothes and get into frigid water? Are they crazy?

Cold water, cold weather and cold bodies, nothing stops the true watermen. Lifeguards and Coast Guards must perform dangerous cold-water – sometimes even icy – winter rescues and participate in winter try-outs and practice rescues all year long. As well, tri-athletes, competitors and adventurous individuals frequently brave the frigid waters.

Sometimes a wetsuit won’t work or doesn’t make sense depending on the activity or sport involved. According to a longtime friend, watermen and professional California State lifeguard, a wetsuit just doesn’t make sense, “if you want to get to the water in 5 to 10 seconds”. In some sports and competitions, a wetsuit isn’t worn unless absolutely necessary because it slows you down and restricts range of motion, both inside and outside the water.

So how do Watermen enter the bitter cold water to swim, sail, kayak, ride, spearfish, dive or do a multitude of other sports without hesitation, you ask; well here is how.

Keeping warm in cold water comes down to wearing the right protective layers such as compression shorts and a long-sleeved rashguard. It really helps to acclimate to the water temp, but that’s not always applicable/possible. Lifeguards going out on an emergency rescue don’t have time to squeeze into a wetsuit. Although watermen in a sailboat, kayak or SUP aren’t inside the water, the Watermen compression shorts will block the bitter wind and splashes to prevent stiffening muscles and even cramps.

Cover Your Upper Body

Watermen yearn for warmth without losing mobility or speed. Covering your body is the key to cold water performance (& survival!). Cover your upper torso with a rashguard. A rashguard holds a little heat close to your body and blocks constant bouts of cold water. It keeps the muscles warm to prevent cramps and muscle weariness, and helps with muscle support. They also help prevent abrasions caused from boards, life vests or wetsuits. Original Watermen rashguards allow a full range of motion for paddling or swimming, while guaranteeing rash free protection because they’re built with breathable, soft, 4-way stretchy AquaFast Extra Life Lycra and low-profile flat-locked seams. They come in short or long sleeves.

Another way to stay warm is by wearing surf shirts, which are similar rashguards but looser fitting.  Our rashguards and surf shirts are hydrophobic, quick drying and water repellant. Layer the rashguard or surf shirt with a wetsuit, dry suit or a survival suit.

 We also make these for your little ones. Rashguards and surf shirts will keep your child from suffering blue lips after swimming. Not only will it keep your kids warm, but also provide sun protection UPF 50+. The surf shirts are made with special looser fitting fabric giving kids a t-shirt like feel. No more rashes from boogie boards or sand. Note: surf shirts are made with chlorine-block material making them great for swimming pools.

cold water, warm water gear, stay salty, earn your salt, original watermen, compression shorts, watermen linersCover the Lower Half                      

Watermen never forget the lower half of their body, and Watermen compression shorts are their go-to. Wear these amphibious men’s compression shorts on their own or use them as boardshort liners since they slide easily under almost anything.

Not all compression shorts are made the same. Our compression shorts are made to be used in the water as well as on land, and they are perfect for people with active lifestyles. These low-drag compression shorts streamline your body, shaving time off your rescues and races. The tight-fit compression offers more benefits in addition to extra support and warmth. Compression shorts boost athletic performance by improving blood flow which helps reduce muscle fatigue and promote faster muscle recovery.

Are there compression shorts for children? Our “junior”-sized compression shorts range from small to large, so your child no longer has to worry about sand gathering in their cotton underwear leaving them wet and cold, and/or causing rashes.

*Bonus*: if you are a year-round lifeguard or want to get serious in a year-round water sport, you may want to consider neoprene socks (& hoods). Exposure to cold water often results in a throbbing feeling, but having neoprene on your feet allows you to slowly adjust to the temperature without any painful annoyance. Even professional racers use neoprene socks, though it is suggested to take them off once your body has adjusted to the current water temperature.

ACCLIMATE when Possible

If you’re exercising or competing inside the water, it’s really helpful to acclimate your body to the water temps before you go 100%. When you first dive in keep your body moving with swift/quick movements and it will get used to the cold. Give yourself minimum of 10-15 minutes to fully warm-up before hitting full throttle. Unless you’ve practiced cold water entries, it’s best not to dive, jump or run into the water until your body has warmed up and adjusted.

Rashguards, cold water, warm water gear, stay salty, earn your salt, original watermenSo, stay warm in cold water with Watermen gear! At Original Watermen, we back our products as being the best for creating a feeling of a warm water environment in the most frigid water, and making the highest quality apparel even for the harshest of winter months.

What to Pack for Surfing in Baja?

What to Pack for Surfing in Baja?

original watermen, stay salty, earn your salt, baja surf trip, surfshirts, sun screen.Baja California Mexico is a surfers paradise but also a brutally harsh environment for humans to survive in. Adventures in Baja, away from the main towns, are not for the air conditioning hotel going types. Dirt is everywhere, cacti are everywhere, and there is no fresh water to speak of. No wonder it hasn’t been developed. Traveling in this dusty land requires street smarts, survival instinct, and experience. You will most likely need two of everything because Baja giveth and Baja taketh away. Expect to get lost, and expect to get stuck, but most of all, expect an epic adventure. The following is a list of some of the essentials I like to bring with me when exploring the remote reaches of this barren land.

1)      Full size spare tire– Although there are llanteras, or tire shops in English, it is a necessity to have a full sized spare when searching for that remote point break. I have guys get stuck fifty miles from the main paved road and I have had to tell them, “Sorry. Best of luck as there is nothing I can do. I will tell the next campo owner.” Note: It could be days until the word travels down the road and a tire guy comes to help you.

Repair kits help and so do compressors, but they are both useless if you shred a tire.

2)      Water– It is hot and it is dry. It’s a desert, so this should go without saying, but bring twice the water you think you will need for your trip, including enough water for cooking and cleaning.

3)      Food– While a lot of old Baja lizards don’t bring ice or coolers on their multi week or month adventures, it is possible to bring refrigerated goods. Let them enjoy their warm beer and rice dinners. The new technology in coolers allows you to keep block ice for well over a week at a time. Just keep the cooler out of the sun by hanging your boardshorts on it. There are few things better than a cold beer after an all-day surf session.

Food should be easy to prepare and able to survive a bumpy truck ride. Sealed packages of non-refrigerated chorizo and a few eggs make a great easy breakfast. Bring a lot of tortillas and anything else that doesn’t require a tremendous amount of water to cook. But if you forget tortillas I suggest getting them fresh there! If you are camping near a local fish camp, you can usually buy fish off the locals for super cheap, and even pay them to take you fishing when the surf gets flat. I have seen guys paddle out to shrimp boats offshore and buy a kilo bag (2 pounds) of shrimp for 20 U.S. dollars.

Bring a lot of food, but don’t go overboard. Plan your meals. Water and food are some of the heaviest items and take up most of the space in your vehicle.

4)      Shovels– Even four-wheel drive vehicles get stuck. Plus, you will need this to bury your poop. It’s a smart idea to dig a hole deep enough, so the coyotes wont dig it up again. Go the bathroom as far away from where others are camping as you safely can. It is sad when you drive all that way and see toilet paper scattered everywhere in the bushes behind camp.

5)      Lighting- Solar lights are the way to go. There is no shortage of sun in Baja. The company Luci makes a great light that compacts into almost nothing, but is quite bright as a canopy light. Make sure everyone in your camp has a good headlamp. It can be quite annoying to hold a flashlight while cooking.

6)      Shade- Having shade and battling the wind is a tough egg to crack. Pop up type tents are easily blown away, so bring lots of rope and stakes to hold them down. Be prepared for the wind to switch without warning. Baja is almost always windy.

Note: your shade structures also make a convenient place to hang a surf shirt or rashguard. The sun and sand are relentless and unless you are a scorpion or reptile you will shrivel up and go crazy if you can’t get out of the elements some way or another.

7)      Shoes- Bring a few pairs of sandals and some shoes or boots. Your feet will thank you. Make sure you put them out of reach of coyotes, they are known to go through your trash and take shoes in the night.

8)      Sun Protection–  Bring a good hat like a snapback and lots of sunscreen. I suggest bringing SOLRX. And bring an extra pair of sunglasses.

9)      Bug spray – For certain rare areas near fresh water. They are relentless.

10)  First aid- The basics, and know how to use them, and where the closest real hospitals are. Fin cuts are no joke down there. They are trip enders.

But far worse are stings from Sting Rays, which are relentless in Baja, so I suggest a portable sting ray kit as well.

11)  Insurance- Get good Mexican insurance for your vehicle, it is required and will get you out some serious trouble if you do crash or get pulled over. Note: You can easily purchase this insurance right before crossing the border.

I hope this list helps, as these are just a few items you should have in Baja, anytime of the year. Also, please know, that this list could go on and on, so remember to be prepared for everything and anything, including some of the most incredible morning sunrises over the ocean.

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