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.
The T-shirt also known as a tee was named after its shape, which resembles the letter T. A t-shirt is normally associated with short sleeves, a round neckline and no collar. T-shirts are generally made of a light, inexpensive fabric, that is easy to clean.
The T-shirt developed from undergarments used in the 19th century, and in the mid-20th century transitioned from undergarment to everydat casual clothing.
Original Watermen t-shirt
Our men’s t-shirts, and women’s t-shirts are geared towards an audience of the rough and wild, masters of their sport, and the extremist, where age and sex do not matter. Our motto has always been; “Earn Your Salt” in honor of those who have given their lives to living in the water.
Original Watermen equips incredible athletes, and we want every athlete to be as comfortable as possible, from their t-shirt style, to their fabric. That said, not all fabric is created equal
T-shirt fabric
What the men or women’s t- shirt is made of makes all the difference in the world. You might have a great logo but it’s the fabric that determines the true shape, the durability, the softness, and wearabilty of the tee. The fabric decides whether you look like a sweating pig, or a wet mop. The fabric decides, if after one wash it shrinks to fit your hamster or becomes lopsided and stretched out of shape. The fabric decides if the t-shirt neck falls so low, that it might fit the incredible hulk.
Ring Spun t-shirt fabric
The cotton t-shirt has evolved from the heavy, scratchy, shapeless fabric to the butter soft touch of Ring Spun material. Fabric that has been Ring Spun goes through an elaborate spinning process. As each thread spins it straightens and softens the fiber. This spinning process produces a fiber that can be woven tighter. The higher the thread count the softer the material, so when you compare t-shirt thread counts, traditional cotton t-shirts weigh in at 18, where a ring spun t-shirt weighs in at the 30 range. The end process results in an excellent quality breathable knit men’s t-shirt or women’s t-shirt that has a great high-end feel. This fabric is more lightweight, more durable, smoother, it shrinks less and tends to last longer than your average 100% cotton t-shirts. Quality t-shirts like these are used in high end businesses, and that is why we sell them. The Essentials, the Yellowfin and Fish Bone t-shirts are fantastic examples of 100% super soft Ring Spun t-shirts.
Tri-blend t-shirt fabric
The other process of a quality men’s t-shirt, or women’s t-shirt blends three different materials together to produce one great one. Tri-blends include a blend of 25% rayon, 25% polyester, and 50% cotton. Blending the three fabrics creates an incredibly soft, better stretching material that hangs perfectly, and looks and feels the same wash after wash. Compare the original 100% cotton t-shirt to a cheap set of bed sheets, and the Tri-blend t-shirt to very expensive 1800 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets.
Cotton, polyester, and rayon tri-blends are the best of all worlds. In the perfect blend, the cotton allows the t-shirt to breathe and prevents heat from being trapped between the fabric and your skin. The polyester helps create a strong resilient t-shirt that is wrinkle resistant and moisture wicking. Rayon adds an amazingly soft drape causing the
t-shirt to look better on more body types than any other fabric. Tri-blends are so sought after that it’s no wonder that the Singlefin t-shirt, the Earn Your Salt t-shirt and the Patch t-shirt are in such high demand. Ring Spun and Tri-Blend processes offer up the perfect men’s t-shirt or women’s t-shirt for anyone, even if you aren’t an athlete.
Who doesn’t love dogs. At Original Watermen, we salute all rescue dogs, but one in particular, Moby. Moby is our mascot, and he is a big beautiful platinum Golden Retriever. Moby accompanies lifeguard teams on trips to the beach, surfing adventures, kayaking and even goes whitewater rafting. He is a true Waterman.
Lifeguard Dogs (Rescue Dogs)
Coast Guards and lifeguard agencies alike are using hundreds of specially trained rescue dogs as part of their team. The most popular breeds are Newfoundlands, Golden Retrievers and Labradors. These breeds are being trained to act as lifeguards and are patrolling beaches, lakes and rivers around the world to help save people from drowning. These breeds are chosen because they are innately strong in the water. Rescue dogs are used frequently in Italy, Scandinavian countries and Europe, but there are less than 50 throughout the United States. These dogs are not meant to replace human lifeguards, but to complement them. Rescue dogs are trained work beside their human lifeguard as they both patrol the water.
Why Dogs?
Agencies are using lifeguard dogs because they increase the speed at which victims are retrieved. These magnificently trained dogs can easily jump from helicopters and speeding boats to reach swimmers in trouble, in instances where humans aren’t able. The lifeguard dogs remain solid, steady, and capable, no matter what their job might throw at them.Their work is becoming invaluableto the Coast Guards and lifeguard agencies everywhere.
The Rescue
Lifeguard dogs are always outfitted with a harness and a Marine Rescue Patrol Can or a Rescue Tube. When the lifeguard dog sees someone in trouble, they rush into the water towing the rescue tube or rescue can with them. Once they reach the victim, the victim grabs hold of the rescue gear, and the dog paddles back to safety, with the distressed swimmer in tow. In quieter waters the lifeguard dogs are being trained to tow a life raft to the distressed swimmer. The victim will sit or lay on the raft and get towed back to shore. These dogs are strong enough to pull three people linked together back to shore. If the dog approaches a face down victim or the swimmer is unconscious, the dog has been trained to grab the person’s upper arm in their mouth and roll the victim onto his back thus keeping his face out of the water. The lifeguard dog will then drag the victim to safety with its teeth, tugging him ashore by his arm, shirt or bathing suit.
Believe it or Not
These lifeguard dogs are also used for search and rescue. Their powerful sense of smell helps locate the bodies of drowned victims. Mud bottoms, or dark cloudy waters leave dive teams with limited underwater visibility, and they need help narrowing down the location of the drowned victim. Lifeguard rescue dogs are bought in to ride with lifeguards and search teams. The dog rides around the drowning site in a small boat sniffing the water’s surface for oil and skin particles that have risen to the surface of the water. The dog indicates by scratching the bottom of the boat, barking or some other signal that he has found the victim. A dive team is then sent in to retrieve the body. The search and rescue teams may search for hours with no luck, but with the help of the lifeguard dog it may only take minutes.
Rescue Dog Traits
To qualify to be a dog lifeguard, the dog must weigh at least 30 kilograms (66 pounds), and have a natural love of swimming. Retrievers are ideal because they enjoy fetching anything from the water, and bringing it back to the shore. Plus, they have calm and easygoing personalities and do not panic easily.
Training
Training for these canine lifeguards begins as a puppy, and continues until they are at least two to three years old. Each dog works in tandem with a human lifeguard who also acts as the animal’s trainer. During training the lifeguard dogs are taught to recognize the signs of a drowning person, how to approach and maneuver a drowning or distressed victim. They also learn to choose the best landing points (when jumping from a helicopter or boat), and how to decipher the safest currents or routes.
Rescue dogs are extraordinary animals, that do amazing feats, saving thousands of lives each year. We are proud to supply the Coast Guard, and lifeguard rescue dogs around the world with the lifeguard equipment needed to carry out these rescues.
For 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.
Watermen…true Watermen… the term is sought after, respected, yet the TRUE definition has remained a mystery. The earliest use of the term started in the 12th century and was used to describe the water ferry drivers who fared passengers across dangerous waters in some of the most volatile weather conditions imagined. It has since become a word of controversy. Seeking to put an end to the squabbles using the historic past verbiage and the present-day usage, the most suitable definition would be that a true Watermen is a lifestyle of someone who is noted for their knowledge of the water, having a sound understanding of the dangerous currents, winds and extreme tides on the water. They are described as “a sturdy, rough breed” with their own jargon, where miles are paddled and bodies are hardened by water. Present day Watermen not only know the physical facets of water, wind, tides and how to use them to their advantage, but how to use their bodies and equipment in, on, and below water pushing themselves and their equipment to the limits.
True Watermen and Waterwomen are the elite class of beachgoers. They live all over the world, travel to remote and desolate places. They do unthinkable, unpredictable and unimaginable feats with water. Some compete, some just enjoy but they all think, live, and dream to be in, on, beneath, or above water.
Watermen need equipment that is high quality, dependable and able to withstand the knocks, bumps and bruises of radical use.
At the height of the Cold War, a German scientist named Max Kramer was curious how dolphins could move at such fantastic speeds. Kramer covered a torpedo with simulated dolphin skin made of a rubber membrane, and under laid it with a viscous fluid. He demonstrated that a dolphin skinned torpedo could modify the flow of water, enabling it to reach new top speeds.
How Watermen Shorts (compression shorts) were born?
We as a company, saw the need to develop the first of its kind amphibious high-performance new skin for true Watermen. So, we designed low drag compression shorts for the water that mimics the streamlined, hydrodynamic bodies of fish and mammals. These low-drag new skin shorts shave time off your races, while providing support and extra warmth to your southern region.
Watermen Shorts – Uses
Watermen Shorts answer the demands of nearly every facet of an all water-based, active lifestyle, great for competitions and athletes from all walks of life. Compression shorts made for water are fantastic for triathlons, ironmen, swim competitions, skiing, white water races, windsurfers, divers, kitesurfers, SUPs, or free divers, but they are widely worn under boardshorts and wetsuits are rash free support.
Watermen Shorts – Benefits
Compression shorts keep muscles warm to prevent muscle strain
Compression shorts help after your event to relieve pain from muscle stiffness and soreness
Compression shorts decrease the heart rate and the lactic build up in athletes.
Compression shorts reduce the time taken for muscles to repair themselves and help stabilize joints
Watermen Shorts – Built for Water
Not only do the compression shorts provide ultimate water efficiency, they are built to last. Compression shorts are made from a blend of super silky Nylon, Lycra and Spandex to keep them soft and lightweight, where as cotton would weigh you down. They are super fast drying and wick away sweat from the body preventing chafing and rashes. Compression shorts can be worn in the summer and winter. The material has a UPF 50+ which protects you and the material from the sun damage. No need for an uncomfortable pocket cup because their front is doubled lined and non-revealing. With material that so close to your body, we make sure compression shorts are made with antimicrobial and odor eliminating fabric. Watermen’s shorts are made to stand alone with their high fashion flashy patterns and can be worn as a jammer for workouts or as a support layer.
True watermen continue to tackle the challenge, the battle of the big, the better, the stronger, the faster and the more powerful. Driving these men and women is the adrenaline rush, the win and the finish. Stay Salty.
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.
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.
The origin of the t-shirt
Who doesn’t love dogs. At Original Watermen, we salute all rescue dogs, but one in particular, Moby. Moby is our mascot, and he is a big beautiful platinum Golden Retriever. Moby accompanies lifeguard teams on trips to the beach, surfing adventures, kayaking and even goes whitewater rafting. He is a true Waterman.
For 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!
Watermen…true Watermen… the term is sought after, respected, yet the TRUE definition has remained a mystery. The earliest use of the term started in the 12th century and was used to describe the water ferry drivers who fared passengers across dangerous waters in some of the most volatile weather conditions imagined. It has since become a word of controversy. Seeking to put an end to the squabbles using the historic past verbiage and the present-day usage, the most suitable definition would be that a true Watermen is a lifestyle of someone who is noted for their knowledge of the water, having a sound understanding of the dangerous currents, winds and extreme tides on the water. They are described as “a sturdy, rough breed” with their own jargon, where miles are paddled and bodies are hardened by water. Present day Watermen not only know the physical facets of water, wind, tides and how to use them to their advantage, but how to use their bodies and equipment in, on, and below water pushing themselves and their equipment to the limits.
