Look at the different people hitting the beach. What do you see? You see those on vacation, tourists and those who may be at the beach for the first time. You have the locals who look like they have beach written all over them. They have the right beach attire, shoes, shorts, and even sun bleached hair. You have the professionals, those who work at the beach including lifeguards who dress for the job, and have a supply of rescue equipment. Then you have the true watermen. These are the people who live to be in, on, or above the water. They surf, kayak, scuba dive, kite surf, swim, paddle board, etc. The beach is full of different people from all different walks of life. Each different group of beachgoers, need quality beach essentials.
1) The Local
The locals’ beach essentials are unique. Simple and easy is their motto. Locals hit the beach with the absolute bare minimum. Locals ramble around in t-shirts be it men or women, with fantastic designs including cool hats. Add a swimsuit, boardshorts and a towel and they are good to go.
2) Local Young
The young and spry carry everything with one arm, a surf board or a boogie board and fins, and a towel. Custom X makes the best body board on the market and a great set of fins. Custom X fins have a short blade are super comfortable, float and are often the #1 choice of lifeguards. The young also know enough to wear rashguards or surf shirts to protect their upper bodies from getting rashes and provide an extra layer of warmth, for those long hours in the water. Their t-shirts are light weight, soft, comfy and breathable as well.
Young guys and girls alike can both wear boardshorts, which can be worn as a pair of shorts or a swimsuit. The boardshort pocket is very important. Pockets with oversized Velcro closures with locking loops keep keys, money, and board wax safe while in and out of the water. Boardshorts with no drag grommeted cargo pockets are a must. LA County Lifeguards Association declared boardshorts without grommeted pockets unsafe because the pockets fill with water and drag you down. Boardshorts need to be quick drying, breathable and if you are lucky made with Diamond Dobby material.
3) Local Parents
Local parents pack-it-lite, instead of wagons full of stuff they use the one arm is enough philosophy. Local parents carry a blanket-in-a-bag, a small cooler full of snacks, sandwiches and water. No umbrellas, instead kids are dressed in rashguards, boardshorts, and plastered with sunscreen, while still at the car. They use great sunscreen like SolRx that stays on for the entire duration of the day. Local parent purchase kids swimsuits, rashguards or swim shirts that have built in UPF protection. Throw a hat on their heads and they are sun protected. Since local parents are in the know, they carry a sting ray kit, for protection against sting ray stings, the number one coastal emergency.
4) Local Oldies
The seasoned beachgoer, the cream of the crop, those who have spent most of their life at the beach, have going to the beach down to a science. These seasoned beacher’s have had many years of experience at the beach, testing and comparing different brands of essentials. Their essentials must be durable, top-quality, and extremely practical.
They dress at their car, putting on their boardshorts, or wetsuit by wrapping a towel around themselves. Men and women often wear compression shorts or go commando under their wetsuit. Compression shorts help keep the heat in and prevent irritating rashes. A lot of compression shorts aren’t made for use in the water. That said, look for compression shorts with 100% recycled Econyl Nylon, which is anti-microbial and odor eliminating. Compression shorts made for water also have a safety draw cord waist, and quality compression shorts come with a rash free guarantee, are hydrophobic and water repellent.
Since the seasoned beachgoer goes to the beach year around, on those colder days they too wear rashguards, often under their wetsuits. Note: Rashguards come in long and short sleeves.
Many of the seasoned beachgoers figures have changed over the years, and they prefer swim trunks to boardshorts and one piece swimsuit verses the two-piece swimsuit. Most seasoned beachgoers now wear Retro trunks, retro trunks have liners, elastic waists and pockets. Make sure the Retro trunk you choose uses the super soft Cool Plus liner, and not the old-style mesh. The pockets need to have sand and water drainage.
People of all ages and from all walks of life are lifeguards. Lifeguards are needed at pools, lakes, rivers, summer camps and at the beach. Reasons for becoming a lifeguard vary from person to person. Some want to be a guard because it’s great pay in great locations or they consider Lifeguarding a career builder, or others like the prestige. Many believe lifeguarding looks great on college applications. Whatever your reason, there are things you need to know. There’s a lot more to being a lifeguard than soaking up the sun. Lifeguarding requires you be fit, to know how to swim and do it well, you must be able to take command in emergencies situations and provide life-saving first aid and resuscitation. Life saving is not for the meek and mild. That said, read on before committing to taking your lifeguard test.
Training
Physical strength and endurance are required to rescue a struggling victim in the water. Beach Lifeguards compete for their job by completing one or two competitive Open Water swim-run tests. To start training you need the right gear, apparel and lifeguarding equipment, which should always come from a lifeguard store. You must master your swim strokes and train in cold choppy water. Note: Learning to body surf will give you a favorable advantage, helping you beating your opponents to the beach. To get ready for the runs practice sprinting and running long distances. As well, arm and leg strength is important, so lift weights to tone up.
Apparel
The correct apparel can help you complete your trainings and certifications in style and comfort. The Original Waterman lifeguard store was started by lifeguards for lifeguards. Having run the gauntlet themselves they know what you need to be the best.
Compression Shorts
In our lifeguard store we offer compression shorts for lifeguard men and women, and have sizes for those in the junior lifeguard program too. Compression shorts can be worn as jammers for your workouts or underneath as support layers. Compression shorts keep you warmer, give you support and prevent rashes. Compression shorts are streamlined for ultimate water efficiency, shaving time off rescues and your race events. The compression shorts in our lifeguard store also have a double lined front that makes them non-revealing. Because of constant use and the closeness to the body, purchase compression shorts which are made from antimicrobial fabric, it helps eliminate body odor.
Board Shorts
While training for your competitive runs don’t wear those heavy workout shorts instead try wearing lightweight board shorts. In our lifeguard store we sell board shorts with special ultra-durable four-way Flex material. This special material prevents drag on the legs when wet. They also have a soft Lycra fly that prevents rashes. Their brushed waistband won’t stretch out and provides a comfortable streamline fit. Our lifeguard board shorts have an oversized pocket sealed with a Velcro locking Loop closure. The pocket holds most phones so you can listen to music during training sessions.
Rash guards and Surf Shirts
Rash guards are tight fitting, similar to a second skin, providing extra warmth in and out of the water. In our lifeguard store we off lifeguard rash guards that fit snug around the body, using a new compression technology which keeps the muscles fresh and engaged. The tight-fitting Rash guard also provides extra support for female lifeguards while running or swimming to a rescue.
Rash guards fit easily under a wetsuit without bunching up and prevent chafing. To stay rash free and comfortable under the arms look for rash guards with Flatlock seams.
Rash guards provide SPF protection. Ours carry a UPF rating of 50+.
One of the best features is the Aqua Plus fabric. It helps with water repellency causing the water to bead up and roll off the surface giving you the ultimate in quick-dry comfort.
In our lifeguard store, we also have the looser fitting surf shirt is perfect for figures needing a bit more room.
Women Lifeguard Swimming Suits
The first choice you must make is whether you prefer a one piece or two-piece lifeguard swimsuit. With either option the straps must stay snug through the surf and not slip onto your shoulders hindering the full use of your arms. The worst-case scenario would be to have your suit ripped off in big surf. Lifeguard swimsuits should be made of state-of-the-art material. The fabric should be moisture wicking, chlorine proof, durable and able to stand up under extreme conditions. Original Watermen’s women’s lifeguard swimsuits were voted number one for “best fit” back design for staying on through the surf.
Our upper leg muscles allow us to swim, surf, train and be watermen. The upper leg muscles are crucial element in body movement. If those engines bog out on you, your session is toast. Be proactive in muscle care. Provide your leg muscles with true support by wearing men’s compression shorts while you are Earning Your Salt.
As watermen, we are constantly reaping the benefits of the fountain of youth (the ocean). It keeps us young and lively, but this does not mean that is not important to take other measures to make sure you stay in the water and firing on all cylinders. It is so important to prevent thigh muscle strain. Do what you can to retain muscle temperature. Original Watermen’s compression shorts offer a host of benefits to keep you training harder and in the water longer.
The Watermen compression shorts for men give your muscles added warmth, making them a perfect addition to your training gear. Our compression shorts are tight-fitting shorts that work to hold muscles in place and improve performance and recovery. Keeping your muscles warm prevents muscle strain. The compression improves blood flow allowing oxygenation to keep the stoke alive in your upper leg muscles.
Not only are you looking out for your health, you will also be looking like the baldest fish in the sea, gym, house, beach, well— just where ever you end up sporting them. Original Watermen’s compression shorts are offered in a plethora of colors in patterns, double-lined and made out of silky-soft Lycra. This material is ultra-breathable and is the perfect amount of gradient compression.
Do not be too sore to score the next swell. Capitalize on all the benefits that compression shorts offer your upper leg muscles. You can thank us after you catch your next leg-burner session and were the first guy in the water and the last one out. Check out our other article: “How Compression Shorts Have Affected Men’s Sports Performance”
It’s fall and we couldn’t be more excited. The tourists are the gone, the waves are good, and the weather is perfect. It’s pretty easy to pick out your gear for hot summer days but what type of swimwear should you being wearing now that the days are a little bit cooler? Here’s what we think:
Boardshort Liner
If you don’t have at least one pair of board short liners then you are not prepared to earn your salt. Boardshort liners are the perfect addition to any Fall day. Watermen Shorts work great under your wetsuit. The dynamic possibilities of the Watermen Shorts are endless. Board short liners make wrestling with your towel to change out from a surf a thing of the past. They are also perfect for practicing yoga, stretching, training, diving, and other types of activities. They are our go to for all of our Watermen activities and we know they will soon be yours. The Watermen Shorts are double-lined, which give you the coverage you need in your critical zones. This extra lining adds to the shorts ability to be worn under board shorts or by themselves. Optimize your Watermen gear and add these to your regiment.
Retro Short
The retro short is the perfect fall time short. They are an easy go to in any wardrobe because of their wearability and style. If you are the type of watermen that is in and out of the ocean all day, then these are the retro trunks for you. Throw these shorts on as soon as you peel out of your wetsuit and comfort level will elevate to a quick 100%. Your comfort needs are met with the silky, soft fabric of these retro shorts.
Stretchy board shorts work to maximize fluid body movement. These board shorts are perfect for the fall time because they can be perfectly paired with our board short liners. With the added layer your outboard motor is sure to be kept warm all day long.
Fall time is most watermen’s favorite time of the year from crisp, sunny days to glassy waves. The water is a little chillier but it’s a fair trade from empty lineups and pumpkin spice lattes, just kidding we’ll stick with coffee. So grab your board short liners and your favorite pair of trunks and make this Fall your best season of the year.
Vintage swim trunks style have come full circle. Up until the 90s, short swim trunks were the preferred style and we are thrilled to see the trend make it back. The baggy, long swim trunks are out and the shorter, slim style are in. Here are some reasons why you should jump aboard the trend:
Above the knee swim trunks have a boatload of advantages, especially for watermen. You never need to stress about your board shorts catching on your knees and holding you back from pushing over the ledge of the next set wave. Less length means a lighter trunk and that will optimize any salty day. Original Watermen Retro shorts features a 5” inseam, making them the ideal retro length.
If comfort is the most important aspect you look for in a swim trunk, then look no further. There’s no question that the retro swim trunks are stylish, but Original Watermen’s retro trunk does not compromise comfort for style. These shorts are the crisp bottom to top turn, off the lip combination- style & comfort all in one. They are constructed with wicking, “cool plus” liners on the inside that allow for a rapid dry time and reflects your water and land amphibious, dual life. In addition, the retro swim trunks offer 2 side-seam pockets.
Shorter swim trunks are not only functional but stylish. Walking around in a shorter, slimmer cut trunks are sure to make all the whines drool. There’s always been an aesthetic appeal to wearing a trunk cut to a better form to your body, it’s not as flattering to be seen in baggy trunks. You want to swim in your trunks, but not literally swim IN your trunks.
The trend is here to stay. The 90s tried to hook watermen on the long short look, but it just isn’t functional or appealing. So do yourself a favor and stock up on your Original Watermen retro swim trunks. It is a timeless style that is sure have you staying salty.
We understand that shopping for boardshorts is a struggle, there are so many factors to consider when deciding. Is it going to fit? Is the cut right? Is this a good style for my body type? Will these boardshorts last me all summer? It’s hard to pick out the perfect suit even in person. Original Watermen has compiled a list of tips so that buying your next men’s (or women’s) board shorts online will be a breeze.
Decide what you are looking for before you start searching. Just as the saying goes, there are a lot of fish in the sea, there are also a lot of boardshorts to choose from online. Going into the board short selection process without an idea of what you want can be overly intimidating. Whether you are looking for a men’s or women’s pair of boardshorts, you have lots of options to consider. For men’s, you should know what length, type of stretch and waist closure you want in your suit. For example, do you prefer a standard length to the knee, or are you into the shorter-cut retro boardshorts style that’s making a comeback. Swimsuits for women are even more varied. Most women are primarily concerned with the fit of their swimwear. Know your body and what type of swim suit fits your body type.
Don’t shop just based on price. The quality of boardshorts differs dramatically. Shopping for an inexpensive pair will cost you more in the end because you will end up needing to replace it throughout the year. Buying a cheap pair of boardshorts is like surfing without wax, fishing without a lure, or spearfishing without a mask. Determine your cost-per-wear when deciding on how much to pay for a quality suit. Original Watermen’s top-of-the-line Watermen Super Stretch board short retails at $55. If you wore these 80 times this summer your cost-per-wear would be $0.69 per day. The cost-per-wear formula shows you the benefit of buying quality boardshorts and getting the most wear and durability for the price.
Just buy and try it.It’s hard to pull the trigger when shopping online, we know. There’s a lot to consider but if you have done your research and know what you want, there is nothing to worry about. If you are unsure about the sizing, contact us and we will be able to answer your questions. We are here for you and ensuring you get the most out of any – and every – session.
Now, that you have some tips on buying your next pair of boardshorts online, get to shopping! Know what you want: shop for quality, and don’t look back. The sooner you get equipped, the sooner you can get out and Earn Your Salt!
3) Local Parents 
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