15 years in and we still get excited to launch our annual Lifeguard Swimwear and Apparel catalog. This year we have a couple new products and we are excited to see our new gear in action. From heroic rescues to amazing days under the sun at water parks, our gear gets to live the life! Now, take a flip through our catalog, and if you have any questions, reach out to our sales team! Maybe you would like to see your logo on a new pair of shorts or swimsuit. Or, you are ready to screen print some new shirts with your company or agency logo… Either way, give us a ring and we can provide you all the details you need for customization.
The Men’s Rincon stretch shorts. Amazing new board shorts with the latest fabric and features. Available now in four colors and completely customizable with screen printing and embroidery, or logo work. Not found anywhere else.
Women’s Original Rescue Bikini Top and Bottom: You get the best of both worlds when it comes to coverage and support. The “Original” is a more priced focused version of the “top-selling” Rescue Bikini. Same modern design that has evolved over the years, tested and preferred by thousands of lifeguards and women worldwide.
Watermen Customer Service
Here at Watermen, we take pride in our recurring business and customers. Our customer support is available Monday through Friday from 9-4pm PST. If you are a new or repeat customer, give us a ring if you would like to go through the 2023 with a sales representative. You can discuss all of our Lifeguard Swimwear and Apparel in depth. We are more than happy to provide a quote for any bulk or wholesale inquiries.
Our new Rincon Stretch is made from our premium blend of 91% Polyester / 9% Elastane to provide maximum flexibility and mobility. In addition to a flexible fabric, an elastic waist provides comfort for all sizes. Enhanced drawcord allows them to be secure for swimming, diving, etc. Two front side mesh drainage pockets with side radio pocket provide extreme utility. Furthermore, smooth bound seams that eliminate chaffing and a Cool-Plus® antimicrobial liner. Mid length Inseam at 8.5” is appropriate for all age levels and applications. Lastly, this short is recommended for lifeguards, water parks, and aquatic sports. Watermen Men’s Boardshorts & trunks are made with lifesaving professionals in mind.
For our returning customers, the Rincon is a modern option that improves upon the Pro and Pro-Stretch Boardshort that we have sold for years. Everything we love about these two boardshorts was used to create the Rincon Stretch model, except we chose a lighter and higher quality blend of polyester fabric. A perfect length pair of shorts, with maximum flexibility and a comfortable liner that is preferred by lifeguards, water park employees, and lifesaving agencies alike. Best of all, our shorts can be ordered with your logo! For custom inquiries, reach out to our sales team here.
Custom Men’s Boardshorts & Trunks
Watermen Brand premium quality shorts are made by watermen for watermen. All we ever wanted was the best lifeguard suits you could dream of. In the 80’s we began sewing shorts that were able to go 15 hours a day and last longer. Since then, we have custom built our range of men’s and women’s swimwear and apparel and have been developing them, hand in hand with thousands of watermen and lifesaving professionals. They are so flexible and comfortable, because they are relied on by thousands doing their daily job. Cheers to all the lifesaving professionals out there!
First, let’s acknowledge the difference between swimwear needed for the beach and swimwear needed for pools. Pools are often treated with chlorine and other chemicals to maintain a hygienic environment. Unfortunately, chlorine causes most swimwear to fade and break down quickly. However, a few fabrics resist chlorine and these chemicals pretty well. Overall, the best fabrics for swimwear and swimsuits used at pools, waterparks, or other chlorinated environments are often found as a blend of two or three fabrics. Before we discuss which fabric is best, we can definitely say it is not nylon. Nylon has positive qualities when not being used in chlorine, BUT the reaction it has with chlorine causes most nylon based fabrics to break down quickly. If you want a chlorine resistant bathing suit or shorts, it is best to avoid nylon based swimwear.
So, which fabrics are the best for repeated use in chlorine?
1. Polyester:
Polyester is a durable synthetic fabric that has shown the most resilience to chlorine. It is typically combined with other fabrics to create a more durable and flexible blend, for a variety of applications. Polyester is hands down, the most common and the best fabric for swimwear used in chlorine. For more details on Polyester, we like these pages: Polyester Fabric & Polyester Details
2. Spandex / Elastane
Spandex and Elastane are the most preferred fabrics to blend with Polyester for use in chlorine. Elastane and Spandex are the same thing, but you might hear them referred to separately or in place of each other, but both names refer to the exact same fabric. By itself, spandex / elastane is not recommended for repeated use in chlorine, but does not decrease the integrity of Polyester when blended together. Fore more insight into the composition of spandex, check this page out: Spandex Fabric
Best fabric for chlorine resistant swimwear:
The simple answer is Polyester. Polyester by itself has excellent durability and withstands chlorine best. However, Polyester has varying qualities depending on the construction and the source. Simply put, a higher quality polyester lasts longer in chlorine. Not all Polyesters are equal. Check with your swimwear provider to find out which Polyester they use, and if they have a fabric that has undergone chlorine testing or has been rated for repeated chlorine use. Chances are, if they source a polyester fabric that is constructed of higher quality materials, they are paying a higher premium and the price of the swimwear will reflect this, and last much longer. Some swimwear and apparel manufacturers have proprietary sources of fabric that separate them from competition. Once again, not all Polyesters are equal, but simply put, Polyester is the best material for chlorine resistant swimsuits, swimwear, and apparel.
Polyester Blend for comfort and flexibility:
While it is true that Polyester is the best for chlorine, it may not be the most desirable for creating a flexible and comfortable swim suit or pair of shorts. As we mentioned above, Polyester is often blended with Spandex. Spandex(elastane) is known for its flexibility and stretch, so it is often blended with Polyester to create an equally durable and flexible fabric that is the best quality for use in chlorine.
The ratio of Polyester to Spandex is also important. Although Spandex is a chlorine resistant material, the Polyester is typically much stronger in chlorine, so a Polyester dominant blend is preferred. For example, anything with 85% or more Polyester is a good place to start. High quality blends of fabric design for repeated chlorine use will usually be around 90% polyester and 10% spandex.
Here at Watermen Brand, we have spent years sourcing the most chlorine resistant fabric for our swimwear and swim suits. Over the past two decades, our clients and customers have helped us with their feedback to create a line of swimwear that lasts multiple seasons under daily chlorine use. Our high quality polyester and spandex blend is rated for daily use in pools, water parks, and any other chlorinated environments. These two top selling shorts and rash guard are quality tested and produced with chlorine in mind:
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—
An Experienced Pool Lifeguard knows what kind of swimmer you are before you even hit the water!
Lifeguards recognize potential at-risk swimmers by the way the way they approach the water. Strong swimmers will approach the water full of confidence. Confident swimmers usually enter the water in one fluid motion; they will jump, dive or even run to enter the water.
At risk swimmers approach the water with wide eyes and slow movements. They tend to sit with their feet in the water, hang out on the steps, or hold onto the rails or the sides of the pool.
That said, the smaller the child the more important it is to watch them carefully. Small newly mobile toddlers have no fear of the water and can quickly disappear without a sound. It takes less than two minutes for a child to drown. Almost half of the children who drown are within 23 meters of a parent or another adult.
At Risk Swimmers
Besides being able to recognize at risk swimmers as they approach the pool, lifeguards need to be able to recognize potential victims in the water. Some pools provide “risk guards” who continually rove around the pool looking for high-risk and weaker swimmers.
At risk swimmers are placed in four categories:
Boppers = non-swimmers who jump up and down to keep their nose and mouth above the water.
Floppers = toddlers who could fall into shallow water and drown easily. Parents should stay within arm’s reach of their toddler.
Hangers = non-swimmers who hold onto the ledge of the pool to get around instead of swimming or touching the bottom. The guards must make sure the water depth will not be over the hanger’s head if he or she lets go of the wall.
Breath-holders = swimmers who attempt to talk underwater, hold their breath for long periods or swim a long distance underwater and get into trouble
Drowning victims cannot wave or yell for help, except in rare circumstances;
Lifeguards know as we try to yell our mouths sink below the surface of the water and cannot remain above the surface of the water long enough to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. Drowning people will not stop struggling to keep their head up to wave for help. A lifeguard knows they only 20 to 60 seconds from beginning to end, to respond before submersion occurs.
What Parents Need to Know
Lifeguards are not there to babysit your children. Lifeguards will explain the pool rules to the young swimmers, and it is the parents job to help enforce and make sure their children understand the rules, so lifeguards can do their jobs.
Kids will quarrel. If the parents are present, lifeguards will remind them that it is their job to take care of their kids’ issues, otherwise it can interfere with the lifeguard’s job and put other swimmers in danger.
Note: Since children can drown in less than two minutes, and in two inches of water, lifeguards suggest parents keep small children at arm’s reach.
For instance, in Florida a mother was on her cell phone, on the pool deck while 3 of her kids drown just feet away from her. Because of occurrences like this, lifeguards often warn parents that reading books, chatting with others, and texting instead of supervising your kids can be dangerous, and increase chances of drowning.
Lifeguards always warn against running, sliding, and jumping as all cause high risks around the pool, so stop these actions before accidents happen.
Information like this is published with hopes of saving lives. But when knowing isn’t enough, lifeguards encourage swim lessons as well as supply pools, waterparks, lakes, rivers and ocean guards with lifesaving lifeguard equipment as well as bright men’s and women’slifeguard apparel for easy distinction against the crowds.
Lifeguard uniform requirements are basically the same throughout the world, men’s lifeguard board shorts, women’s lifeguard swimsuits and t-shirts printed with the words Lifeguard or guard. Board short lengths are designated by each lifeguard agency. Long board shorts can hinder leg movement and interfere with rescues. Lifeguard apparel should always be made from rash free material, lifeguard board shorts should have oversized closure pockets with a locking loop and drain holes that allow the water to get out instead of weigh you down. Men’s lifeguard boardshorts should not drag or stick to your legs when wet. Women’s lifeguard swimsuits must stay up on the shoulders and their bottoms should stay on through different size surf. Neither should fade from the sun or pool chemicals.
Easily Identifiable
Clearly distinguishable and visible lifeguard uniforms are a must. Lifeguard uniform conformity, stops confusion and can help save lives. When agencies fail to require matching uniforms and let the lifeguard choose what to wear, then lifeguard visibility and identification becomes almost impossible especially when a high volume of people are present. Large facilities can have hundreds of patrons in the water at the same time. This means teams of lifeguards, working together must be able to spot their partners quickly in and out of the water. Lifeguard uniforms tie the agencies together and instill respect for the guards.
Colors
Lifeguard uniform colors in the past have consisted of mostly red or navy with white labeling. Today agencies stick with traditional colors and others pick out uniform colors that match the theme of their park or their particular branding.
Beaches and water parks that don’t have identical lifeguard uniforms have been sued when patrons were unable to find a guard when needed.
Lifeguard Equipment Requirements
Rescue Cans should be the best in the industry; beware of imitations! The Marine Rescue Patrol Can was developed by L.A. County Chief Lifeguard Bob Burnside over 30 years ago. Marine Rescue Patrol Cans are made with the thickest wall construction on the market and have a heavy nylon shoulder rescue strap attached to a nylon line.
The lifeguard rescue can or sometimes called rescue tube is the most used piece of rescue equipment in the world. It is used by lifeguards at most pools, waterparks, oceans, lakes and rivers. Well made rescue tubes are made from Ensolite foam with heavy vinyl covering. Rescue tubes made with tapered ends provide comfort and help to reduce drag. Rescue tubes can support both the victim and rescuers weight during the rescue. They are the preferred choice of the American Red Cross and are used by lifeguard training agencies around the world.
Lifeguard rescue fins help with long distance rescues or battling strong rip currents. Lifeguard rescue fins are designed to propel you through the water with minimal effort.
Lifeguard rescue fins like Da Fins are used for jetty rescues and rock hopping, due to their smaller size. All lifeguard fins must float so that they will wash into shore if lost in the water.
Lifeguard rescue fin the Duck feet fins are also highly acclaimed and are the #1 choice by Navy.
Lifeguard backboards are used by lifeguards to secure and transport physically injured victims. A popular choice by agencies is the Watermen Pediatric Spineboard. The polyethylene shell of this spineboard is heavy duty and x-ray translucent, so moving the injured victim from board to bed for x-rays is not necessary.
Sun Protection
Though not required lifeguards should use sun protection. Solrx a great sunscreen that stays on all day and will not run into your eyes.
Lifeguard rashguards provide an extra layer of SPF 50 protection from the sun and also provides warmth.
Skin cancer of the ears is becoming a growing dilemma. Broad brimmed hats like the La Palapa Hat a straw hat, works great and was originated in the 1960’s by California beach lifeguards. The wide rim covers and protects the ears.
Tonga hats are also a wide brimmed hat that is the most popular hat used by lifeguard agencies in California.
An Experienced Pool Lifeguard knows what kind of swimmer you are before you even hit the water!
Lifeguard Uniform Requirements