Apr 22, 2012 | Shopping-Clothing
At Original Watermen, we strive to represent and acknowledge all people who live for singular excellence in any and all challenges they face. With our waterman-inspired boardshorts, trunks, tees, hats, hoodies, jackets and other apparel, we pay tribute to all the brave souls who stare down fear and facing it head on, without hesitation.
There is so much more to earning the name waterman than being an average surfer, diver or swimmer. Earning your salt is something a true waterman knows a thing or two about. People often ask us, what does Earn Your Salt mean? Well…Earning your salt begins with a passion that comes from somewhere deep within the self. Whether it’s a huge swell at your local spot or venturing to uncharted waters in search of a new break, a waterman welcomes the unknown. Someone has to get out there first, and any waterman hopes it’s them.
Even one of the most iconic spots on our own coast was once thought to be an unthinkable break. Named after man’s best friend, a white-haired German shepherd named modalert online Maverick, practically a waterman himself, always paddling out with his owner, took it upon himself to join fellow surfers trying a new spot. Though these surfers deemed the outside, larger break too dangerous, other watermen continued eyeing the break – leaving it to legendary waterman Jeff Clark to be a pioneer in taking on this potentially deadly wave…alone. An average day at Maverick’s at 25-feet can intimidate any seasoned surfer, but spending a lifetime in the water leaves you up for the challenge. Watermen face any oncoming fear head – and board – on. Toping out at 80-feet, how many would dare take on the task? Only true watermen know and strive for the connection between bravery and fear, but take on the challenge anyway, rising to the occasion.
For all things a waterman would need to engage in this passion, visit www.originalwatermen.com. Our large selection of waterman-based tees, boardshorts, swimsuits, accessories and apparel is sure to be just as resilient the watermen who wear them.
Apr 12, 2012 | Shopping-Clothing
The guy arrived maybe half an hour early. I opened the door and he announced that he was from the purified water company, the waterman come modalert online to service our filtered water system. He was a young guy—early 20s or so—and looked every bit the surfer: tanned, fit, dark hair bleached by the sun, and board shorts. He carried a toolbox and a metal invoice case. “I hope I’m not too early for you,” he said.
I shrugged it off happily. The appointment window was 4 hours and I had begrudgingly assuming I’d have to wait until the last minute for someone to show up. “No, I’m actually a little shocked,” I said. “It’s sort of a cliché that the guy shows up as late as possible.”
“I’m trying to get done early,” the waterman said, sounding a little excited as he walked in the door.
I tossed off the first thing that came to mind after sizing him up. “Looking to catch the big swell coming in today?” I asked.
He looked at me with surprise. “How did you know?”
“Lucky guess.” I was looking forward to the same swell. I didn’t want to have to sit it out in my house waiting all day for the purified waterman to show up.
“So I guess you surf,” he said, sounding like a kindred spirit of a different waterman variety. Even his voice sounded a little salty for a kid.
“Yeah,” I said in pretty much the same tone though perhaps aged a bit more by the twenty years I had on him.
“Where about? I thought you might have looked a little familiar.”
“Harbor… Warm water… Carlsbad… all over really. Some buddies and I go to Mexico quite a bit.”
“Awesome.”
We ended up talking about surfing the whole time he was there. It was obvious he had the sea in his blood even though he said was a transplant from Iowa. He was crazy about the water from childhood. He had all the makings of a waterman—and it seemed a bit funny that water was his job.
“Oh, this job,” he said. “I guess I’m the all-around waterman. It was a toss-up between this or servicing swimming pools. I picked this because I think I’d have a hard time not jumping into the water all the time.”
I laughed. We talked a minute or two more and he was done.
“Well, thanks for being a valued customer… They want me to say that.”
“Well, I guess I’ll see you down at the beach a bit later.”
“Oh, yeah.”
