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Why You Shouldn’t Swim or Surf After it Rains?

Why You Shouldn’t Swim or Surf After it Rains?

Ever hear the original watermen, earn your salt, stay salty, water safty, rain run off, clean oceanwarning ‘don’t swim or surf after it’s rained’?

Runoff Rain Water

This is because of the surface runoff in rainwater, created by urbanization. This runoff is a major source of flooding and water pollution in urban communities worldwide. Surface street run off waters are dumping serious amounts of bacteria, human and animal waste overflow and hundreds of pounds of plastic waste into the surf. Sewage pipes are allowed to overflow and discharge into rivers and the sea during storms. Yet, many people are torn between big waves, and polluted waters.

Many public officials try and make light of this issue. Recently a spokesperson for Los Angeles County stated that the debris we see after a storm does not pose a threat to the public. These same people are convinced that during these storms, dangerous sharks are sucked out of the water and tossed about, thus driving them away from the shores.

After it rains everyone should avoid entering any water especially near stream mouths, river mouths and channels. The fast-moving water not only contains overflowing sewer water but becomes inundated with a lot of abundant amounts of trash washing off the streets, including dead animals, stream fish weakened by exposure to salt water, and rubbish. After the rain these flooded murky waters attract small fish that come to feed. These small bait fish will eventually attract hungry sharks browsing to feed, that have come back towards the shallow waters. And when that happens, the low visibility, due to murky water make it more difficult for sharks to determine whether your fish or human and is known to increase the risk of people getting bitten by sharks.

Health Hazards

Ocean water contaminated with sewage, storm run-off and oil carry bacteria, parasites, and viruses, which can cause a variety of diseases. The murky waters contain high levels of bacteria that could make swimmers sick. Research is being conducted throughout the world on the dangers of rain water runoffs and the dangers of surfing or swimming during or after a rain.

Studies have found that when surfers and swimmers come in contact with sewage-polluted water they contract a wide variety of illnesses. Gastroenteritis or GI, is spread by the ingestion of bacteria pathogens in fecal-contaminated water. Symptoms are cramps vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, nausea, headache, and fever. Other disorders causes by the polluted water include hepatitis, respiratory illness, and ear, nose, and throat problems, giardiasis, amoebic dysentery, skin rashes, and pink eye, and ear infections.

Swallowing or inhaling the polluted water through your nose or mouth or being in the water with an open sore after a rain will almost definitely cause an infection. Streptococcus bacteria also known as Strep can cause serious infections and even kill you.

As well oil carries with it bacteria, parasites, and viruses, which can cause a variety of diseases. This “toxic cocktail” of pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and other pollutants can definitely affect your body as well.

That said, it is best to avoid polluted waters for 12 to 72 hours following heavy storms. After 3 days water levels typically return to what’s considered safe.

If you are still willing to sacrifice your health after reading this, consider moving away from runoff areas, and stay out of murky or discolored water. If you see lots of leaves and plastic bottles floating around, then get out of the water. Storm water can look clean and still have a very high concentration of disease carrying pathogens and bacteria.

It is up to you to keep yourself and family safe. Remember you will not normally see signs posted, warning the public of dangerous water. In Orange County the Department of Health has been quoted as saying, “We just assume all surfers know that the water is polluted after it rains.

original watermen, earn your salt, stay salty, water safty, rain run off, clean ocean

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.

Why You Shouldn’t Swim or Surf After it Rains?

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.

original watermen, stay salty, earn your salt, baja surf trip, surfshirts, sun screen, sting ray kit

Why Going Outside is Important?

Why Going Outside is Important?

out doors, outdoor gear, stay salty, earn your salt, watermen clothing, original watermenFor those in cooler climates the summer is their chance to go outside without having to bundle up in a few layers. Even so, we meet people from time to time (from both cold and warm climates) that seclude themselves indoors for a majority of their free time. We get it.. After a long week of work dealing with tourists or deadlines, or other stresses and possibly a lack of sleep (especially in the recent heat!) the easy thing to do is to melt into the count to indefinitely watch Netflix. But if you can resist that temptation and find some rejuvenation outdoors, you’ll be better off for it!

Being outside is important to mental and physical health because natural light reduces stress and can actually boost your mood nearly immediately; and in addition to more exercise there are physical benefits from the sun including reduced inflammation, improved immune system and easier to sleep. It has even been said that going outdoors will make you more creative as well as a sharper thinker.

The benefits of being outside are vast, so we delve into some of the bigger ones below as well as some extra ideas and tips.

Mental Benefits and Physical Benefits

Beyond exercise

The physical benefits besides getting more exercise are much more prevalent than someone might think. Getting the right amount of vitamin D from the sun can be tough when working all day inside an office, so literally going on a walk during lunch and break times will physically benefit you.

Being outside can also reduce inflammation in many people. A study was conducted that those living around forests and other natural areas suffered much less inflammation than their city dwelling counterparts. The University of Wisconsin found that that living in areas with less than a 10 percent tree cover were found to have more instances of depression and anxiety than those who lived with more trees around. The interesting part of this is that race, income, or education played no part in this at all as the results were consistent throughout all factors.

How does being outside reduce stress?

Natural light reduces stress and boosts your mood. Restoring mental energy by doing something active simply like taking a long walk can rejuvenate a person by when they return to the office after lunch. Additionally, exercises for breathing deeply and centering your mind can help produce endorphins which have a myriad of health benefits.

 

Of course, physical activity also does this and has been proven to increase productivity and moods. Triggering the release of these endorphins can be done daily and it can certainly help your career and your daily life. It will help stimulate effective work relationships and even has been shown to help increase productive collaboration in the office.

Some Fun Ideas and Safety Tips

One of the most relaxing things that can be done outside is going to the beach. If you’re not near the ocean like us, many lakes, rivers and lagoons have beaches, too!! A beach is always full of different activities to suit your personal liking, and even something as simple as walking along the shore can be the workout you need for the day. Paddle boarding, body surfing and swimming are all great ways to have a blast outside while also exercising. Get some fins for body surfing the waves or swimming to a buoy with more leg power.

As the season winds down and shifts to fall, you should consider one of our high quality rashguards as they help keep in body heat as well as protect skin from getting irritated. Not to mention, these rash guards can also help with the few bumps and bruises along the way that come with body surfing.

Taking a short walk and just sitting in nature is a great way to unwind from a stressful day or week. Hydration also affects your mood so don’t forget to bring a water bottle. And we always advise wearing one of our snapback hats and some shades to shield your eyes and stay comfortable.

Keep Switching It Up

The spice of life truly is variety and even some of your favorite activities can start to seem mundane if done the same way for a while. The easiest way to keep yourself prepared for a random outing and adventure is to keep at least some basic athletic, water sports apparel and gear in your vehicle. This could include quick-drying hiking gear of some kind or even some stylish and comfortable retro shorts and sandals, and perhaps a volleyball, frisbee or some other kind of sports gear.

There are groups of people online who want to stay active and try new things, and encourage others to do the same. Join one of these groups to try something that you would have never before thought of attempting.

Start making going outside a part of your daily or weekly life and it will easily become a habit in just a matter of weeks. Be proactive about trying to live a more active lifestyle! That’s the start of something amazing for both your body and mind.

Retro Boardshorts, out doors, outdoor gear, stay salty, earn your salt, watermen clothing, original watermen

5 Surf Goals for 2017

5 Surf Goals for 2017

Travel-

5 Surf Goals for 2017- Travel

5 Surf Goals for 2017- Travel

2017 is the year of travel. Mexico and Central America are high on my surf travel destinations list. They boast a plethora of world-class locations. Most even have the comforts of warm water, waves year round, and are relatively inexpensive. If you are living in Southern California a great way to find cheap airfare is to fly out of the Tijuana airport located just across the boarder. The airlines in Tijuana fly to most destinations in Mexico and Central America. This year I plan to make at least three surf missions to foreign countries in search of waves and adventure. I also want to make it a goal to pack light and only bring the bare necessities; passport, couple surfboards, swim fins, mask and snorkel, sandals, sunscreen, camera, just a few board shorts, tee-shirts and board short liners. The entire package should easily fit in a large backpack; so whether you’re bus hopping around Peru and Ecuador, hitch hiking on Mexican farm roads or taking taxis from the airport. Packing light and just having a board bag and backpack makes getting around much easier.

 

Surf More-

5 Surf Goals for 2017-Surf More

5 Surf Goals for 2017-Surf More

This goes without saying, but as the years go by I’m still astounded by how many times I hear those infamous words, “well you should have been here yesterday”. This means I plan to get up earlier before work in search of waves and paddle out even if the conditions don’t look optimal. Because I can’t even begin to count how many fun surf sessions I have had when I went out doubting the conditions and ended up having much more fun than I expected.

 

 

Shape my own Surfboard-

5 Surf Goals for 2017- Shape Your Own Surfboard

5 Surf Goals for 2017- Shape Your Own Surfboard

I have long admired the art of surfboard shaping and 2017 is the year that I want to experience it for myself. I don’t plan on getting it right on the first try but with my shaper friends help I know I make a pretty fun mushy wave board. Shaping is relatively easy and only requires a minimal amount of tools and allows for a lot of creativity to flow into the project.

Glassing and fin placement on the other hand is probably best left to the professionals. So this is the year where I want to make one weird shaped fun small wave board that will stand apart from the run of the mill shapes you see up and down the beach. There is just something so special about riding a board you created and designed and allowing the creativity to continue to flow in the approach to surfing on a wave.

 

 

Follow a Swell up and Down the Coast-

This has always been a goal of mine, but I never really seem to get it right. I know it will require a lot of driving and multiple sessions in a day, but surfing is a sport like none other where you can surf many spots and follow the very same swell as it moves up or down the coast. As far as surfing many sessions in a single day I have found that board short liners eliminate rashes if you’re fortunate to be trunking it or for the rest of us it allows for easy wetsuit changes. I was inspired by the East coast surfers that case hurricane swells from Florida all the way up into Canada riding the same pulse of waves and always trying to be in the right spot at the right time. 

 

Eat Healthy and Stay Fit!

5 Surf Goals for 2017- Eat Healthy

5 Surf Goals for 2017- Eat Healthy

I know this is a goal for most people at the start of a new year, but rarely does it ever come to fruition year round. We get lazy and start making excuses. Not me. I want to be ready to go at a moments notice when the surf picks up and those big purple blobs show up in the forecast.

This year I am not going to sit out any sessions or have to paddle in early because I wasn’t physically and mentally prepared. I know it will be easy to fall out of surfing shape in those long flat spells but when the surf finally does pick up again I want to be one hundred percent ready to go.

Tips For Keeping Warm This Winter

Tips For Keeping Warm This Winter

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Frozen toes and ice cream headaches can’t stop you from reaping the benefits of cold water swells. I know it’s tough to not dream about surfing tropical waves while you’re out braving the elements, but there actually are a few things you can do to make your body feel a little more tropical without jumping on a plane. Here are a few tips for keeping warm this winter:

 

 

Layer Up

Give your waterman an extra layer of warmth with the watermen shorts, an Original Watermen boardshort liner.  These shorts will keep you nice and toasty underneath your wetsuit. It also offers you an easy transition from wetsuit to clothes and back. The extra layer will work to trap your body warmth from escaping. If you want an extra up top, try our surf rash guard under your wettie, as well. It’s the same concept as wearing board short liners, you’re giving your body another way to trap your hard earned heat. It’s also a good plan of attack to change in a warm place, don’t let your body catch the chill.

watermen shorts, layer up, boardshort liners, Original Watermen

 

Eat

Food equals fuel and fuel gives you heat. Make sure to have food in your belly before you go brave the cold. Don’t go gordito though, give yourself plenty of time to digest (couple hours) before you start mad dogging for waves. We recently wrote a blog on what should include the perfect pre-surf meal.

 

Keep Moving

Whatever you do, don’t toss anchor once you’re out in the lineup. Keep yourself moving and the blood flowing. Stay active and your body will never get the chance to settle into the cold. There’s nothing worse than surfing with cold little piggies because once they are cold they aren’t going anywhere, not even to the market. Keep the blood flowing and the body moving. This technique may also get you into a few extra peaks.

 

Winter is here. Instead of dreaming of warmer days embrace the cold and be prepared with these simple tips. There’s something gratifying about overcoming the elements to Earn Your Salt.

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