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Watermen Team Members chase the largest swell to hit California in years.

Watermen Team Members chase the largest swell to hit California in years.

A week into 2023 and a series of north pacific storms provided the largest swell to hit California in years. With the proximity of the storm, most big waves and outer reefs were too wild, so the mission was simple; get north of Los Angeles to some fickle point breaks and other areas that rarely see any size of swell, let alone a predicted 15 foot swell.

3:30am

After departing the Watermen headquarters in the dark and driving a few hours north, we arrived to watch the sunrise at a classic rock boulder point that has the potential for large ruler edge lines and punchy scraping barrels. The Large raw swell was slightly overwhelming the point, but still manageable, with large double ups and long racing walls breaking up and down the large boulder field. Waves would taper off down the point, only to merge with another line of swell and double in size as they pushed further into the small cove. Within a few minutes of paddling out, we were trading off waves amidst a small crowd, pulling into shallow sections and flying down the line on large bowled up sets. 

6:30am

Watermen Brand, California bomb cyclone, largest swell to hit California in years

Dawn patrol at a fickle, boulder-ridden righthand point break

9:30am

As the tide peaked a couple hours after sunrise, the swell backed off slightly, creating longer, more organized lines from the top of the point into the bay and the crowds came by the dozens. Feeling very content with our uncrowded dawn session we caught one more wave in and headed south to food and lesser known points that could possibly be in rare form. 

surf check, watermen brand, fickle point break, largest swell california

High tide and mid-morning late comers push us to the next wave

10:30am

Just like clockwork, we arrived on site at another ‘fickle’ right point that was breaking in multiple spots along the point, with big walls racing off the rocks into a large sandy bay. Huge mounds of water were coming in consistently, with the opportunity to connect one of these waves 100’s of meters down the shoreline, through a variety of steep sections, and big swinging walls of water. Each of us took turns sitting deep out the back for a taste of the larger bombs, before sitting inside the rocks and swinging into large steep green wedges. With arms tired, and legs muscles burning from pumping through endless sections, the barrels became less make-able, and a light breeze began to ripple the surface texture.  After a couple hours at this ‘un-mentioned’ point, we packed up and hit the road in search of one last miracle. With a few hours of light left, we had enough time to check Rincon and nearby spots. As the tide bottomed out and hundreds of surfers poured off the highway into coastal parking lots, hoping to take advantage of the unique conditions.

large surf, bomb cyclone, January 2023

A lesser known point converts the large swell into long bending lines

Racing down the line on a freight train right

2:30pm

After an hour of poking around, the search came to a halt at a lesser noted right point break, with the strength and direction of the swell offering unusually long lines over mussel covered boulders and patchy sand. One last change into the wetsuits and we were running down the coast highway to our third session of the short winter day with salt in our eyes, and smiles wider than our sunburnt mouths could handle. Although the Largest swell to hit California in years did not necessarily translate to the largest waves we surfed this year, it did offer an incredible opportunity to score some fickle and lesser-surfed points with considerable size.

5:00pm

Watermen Brand, California bomb cyclone, largest swell to hit California in years

Sales team member Ryan admires long lines of swell bending around a point at sunset. 

In this post, Watermen team member is wearing the Yellowtail Shirt, Yellowtail Hat, & Canvas Watermen Jacket

For more accounts of this swell, check out Surfline’s latest story, here

Watermen Brand

www.watermenbrand.com

 

Boardshorts and Boxers

Boardshorts and Boxers

Original Watermen, liners, watermen boardshorts, original watermen gear, lifeguard baordshorts, stay salty, earn your saltBoardshorts and Boxers

At Original Watermen, we know commando is a popular choice among guys while doing water activities. We also understand the downsides that come with it after spending a day Earning Your Salt.  As a result, we’ve developed top-notch men’s boardshorts as well as boardshort liners that supply ample support and flexibility at the same time, protect from rashes and odors, and even defend against the risk of exposure.

 

The Fly

Have you worn board shorts where the Velcro fly bunches up or sticks and pulls on the most painful places?  Original Watermen’s special gusseted Lycra fly prevents rashes and puckers. The gusset reduces the stress from tight fitting clothing, while the Lycra provides the comfort, great fit and superior movement. This combination has created the #1 selling lifeguard board shorts on the market.

To Mesh or Not to Mesh

In the beginning, mesh was used as a lightweight, sand-free barrier to protect a guy’s private places from direct contact with the rough, harsh, stiff fabric of the actual board shorts. Lifeguards found the mesh itself even rubbed on body parts causing chaffing, rashes and raw spots, and became very uncomfortable as the day wore on. On the other hand, lifeguards liked the support and stability that the mesh provided.

We at Original Watermen saw (and felt!) the need and demand for a different type of board shorts mesh. Instead of the porthole type netting, they used state-of-the-art material to reinvent the mesh liner in an unparalleled way. That Cool-Plus-Comfort liner is a solid netting that improves the circulation of air flow and wicks away moisture, ensuring that the areas covered by the mesh don’t stay damp. Our Cool-Plus-Comfort mesh liner also provides a smoother, evened out line under your board shorts so when there’s a change in conditions, you’re the only one to know. Last but not least, our mesh liners, with moisture wicking and anti- bacterial fabric can be worn in comfort day after day. The U.S. Coast Guards enjoy the Original Watermen G Trunks because these men’s board shorts are packed with top-of-the-line features, including Ultra-lock seam construction, high strength thread, and, of course, the Cool-Plus-Comfort mesh liner.

So, if you’re one who likes mesh in your board shorts, you’ll never go back to the porthole mesh liners once you try Original Watermen’s super soft and comfy, fast-drying, stretchy Cool-Plus-Comfort mesh liners.

The Cure for Boxers

If mesh is not for you, but you’re over wearing that heavy, non-drying underwear underneath your board shorts, Original Watermen has the solution to that problem too. We have designed standalone boardshort liners (not connected to the boardshorts) that are essentially men’s compression shorts made for aquatic and even amphibious environments. These unrivaled compressions shorts for men provide extra support, protection, warmth as well as the privacy desired without being constantly damp and weighed down by wearing wet boxers. That’s right, with quick-drying features backed by a rash free guarantee, these compression shorts for men are ideal for transitioning to and from water and dry land.

These compression shorts can be worn underneath a pair of boardshorts but the fabric’s quality is good enough they can be worn alone, like if you’re a triathlete or open water swimmer. Plus, the prints are so stylish we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to don them solo. But their performance and functionality is truly what sets them apart… Because when the set comes rolling in or your muscles start cramping and pinching, the style points won’t get you through. These performance compressions shorts will literally cradle you through the chaos with their ultra-soft, breathable fabric. Last but not least, the day-after odors can be as uncomfortable as a rash. That’s why these men’s compressions shorts have a zero-odor factor, made with antimicrobial fabric.  Remember it’s all about comfort.  

Original Watermen, liners, watermen liners, watermen compression shorts, original watermen gear, lifeguard baordshorts, stay salty, earn your salt

Insanely Comfortable

Original Watermen’s men’s board shorts and boardshort liners are made of the lightest, softest and most versatile materials engineered. Forget the old school heavy and abrasive material that rubs you raw by the end of the day. Original Watermen uses 100% sanded polyester microfiber and spandex combinations that create a soft nest for your junk, keeping you dry, cool and rash-free on even the hottest and most humid days.

Watermen walk the line between bravery and fear

Watermen walk the line between bravery and fear

At Original Watermen, our selection of tees, boardshorts, swimsuits, accessories and apparel is tested and proven to be just as resilient as the watermen who wear them. We recognize that it takes much more than the average person testing the waters to earn the name waterman. A lifetime spent in and around the water isn’t enough. Watermen are more than comfortable in the ocean; they focus on the lifestyle of the trade, breathing and living all things water.

Watermen inspire – they face their fears, they challenge themselves constantly, never resting on their laurels. It’s not about showing up at the beach with you board and “maybe” going for it. Finding excitement in a new challenge, watermen walk the line between bravery and fear, gaining experiences whether good or bad, to learn from and continue on. Watermen can be healed by nowhere else but the ocean.  Think about how many of the world’s most popular – and excitingly risky – surf breaks never would have been discovered if the brave individuals who discovered them would have thought they were too dangerous? If Waikiki surfers never would have stood on their long boards, using outrigger paddles to paddle their way to new, distant reef breaks? A new sport all together wouldn’t have been born. Watermen see a new challenge in the water and go for it –inventing new sports along the way. Imagine how many action sports in general the world would be missing out on, if some brave, thrill seeking watermen didn’t continue striving to evolve their equipment? Think of the underwater depths that would be left undiscovered if daring divers didn’t thrive to go deeper?

For reasons such as these, true watermen are a rare breed to come by. But if and when you do see one, you will know, recognizing the pride that comes with a lifetime spent earning their salt.

To shop for all things watermen, visit our Web site at www.originalwatermen.com. Our watermen-inspired tees, boardshorts, trunks, jackets, suits and other apparel pay tribute to those who are more than the average swimmer or diver or surfer. People often ask us – what IS Original Watermen? What is Earn Your Salt?  Original Watermen strives to represent those who have that passion to push themselves to the limit each and every time they touch the water.

Shop the Original Watermen Lifeguard Swimsuits for Men and Women, boardshorts, swimwear, lifeguard shorts, and uniforms from our lifeguard store.

The Lifeguard store of Watermen

The Lifeguard store of Watermen

Original Watermen’s lifeguard store is stocked with all the lifeguard gear your agency may need to fully outfit your rescue swimmers, seal team units or beach or pool lifeguards. Our lifeguard apparel is made by lifeguards, for lifeguards, so we know what kind of top-performance equipment is needed for resisting the training, exercise, and strenuous activity lifeguards do on a daily basis. Whether use revolves around salt water, sun or chlorine, our gear is satisfaction guaranteed.

Our lifeguard store and lifeguard lounge outfits over 1,900 agencies across the globe, ranging from ocean lifeguards, city pools, water park guards to military Special Forces. Our swimwear is also proven to be quick drying, so lifeguards can comfortably go from the water to the tower and dry quickly with no problem. In our lifeguard store, you will also find Jr. Guard swimsuits and other lifeguard equipment. The store carries a complete line of Jr. Guard swimwear, from swimsuits, trunks and Jr. Lifeguard rashguards to backpacks and Da Fins surf rescue fins.

While some lifeguard stores haven’t upgraded their lifeguard uniform or apparel design in over a decade, Original Watermen is constantly improving on a new and better fit that are comfortable 15 hours a day. In the lifeguard store you will find the most up-to-date cutting edge fabrics and styles to comfortably fit your lifeguard unit. The Watermen Stretch short is made of a new four-way super stretch fabric, making it the most popular boardshort in the industry. For female guards, we have both one- and two-piece swimsuit designs. The Elasta Girl Super Stretch Short is made with the same high-tech four-way super stretch poly microfiber as in our men’s line, and can be used both as a regular short and a cover up. Within the lifeguard store, we can embroider most swimwear with your agencies name and logo – give us a call for more information.

The lifeguard store also carries a huge selection of water and ocean inspired tees and cold weather clothes. We are continually striving to improve and provide the best quality, fit, funtion and comfort in all of our lifeguard products. Our lifeguard store carries a new Watermen Pant that is worn by guards across the country, and can be used for training and working out in colder weather.

The lifeguard store at Original Watermen also carries a full range of equipment, including Da Fin rescue fins, the best lifeguard and big wave rescue sleds, lifeguard tubes and cans, backboards, packs and whistles and most lifeguard First Aid supplies. The Orginal Watermen lifeguard store has proven time and time again to have the highest quality standards concerning swimwear and equipment in the industry.

To view our entire lifeguard store or lifeguard lounge for all type of lifeguard equipment, visit our Web site at www.originalwatermen.com or give a call at 1-760-599-0990.

Original Watermen strives to have the most resilient lifeguard shorts in the industry

Original Watermen strives to have the most resilient lifeguard shorts in the industry

Since the late ‘70s, Original Watermen’s lifeguard shorts have been proven to be a favorite in the lifeguard industry. Starting with the company’s first lifeguard shorts being sold to local Carlsbad watermen, then to California State Parks and now outfitting over 1,900 organizations worldwide, this equipment has been put to the test.

Our popular line of Retro Lifeguard Shorts is our most streamlined cut. Lifeguards love the fit because of the super soft Cool plus Liner instead of a mesh liner, which prevents chaffing. And of course, they are popular because of their five inch inseam. For the more conservative, we also have longer lifeguard shorts and boardshorts that will keep your agency comfortable, quickly dry, and are stylish. The Watermen Pro Lifeguard Boardshort is preferred by more than 75,000 lifeguards around the world.

Not to leave our waterwomen out, our line of women’s lifeguard shorts are just as elite. Our just-as-popular Elasta Girl Super Stretch Short is 100% poly microfiber and is a four-way Super Stretch short. The new stretch short fabric is the next wave of technology for lifeguard shorts and boardshorts alike, upgrading trends from previous nylon and microfiber materials. We also make women’s lifeguard shorts that are specifically made based on what California guards asked for – shorts that are quick drying, unbinding, and that can be worn as a cover short as well.

With Original Watermen’s apparel, you can rest easy that living in your watermen lifeguard shorts will be the most comfortable ones out there. Sure, our lifeguard shorts have cargo pockets designed to accommodate MTS and XTS series Motorola radios, but throw a cell phone in there instead and you have a pair of shorts so comfortable you can run all your errands in them too – and head straight to the beach or pool.

At Original Watermen, we strive to have the most resilient lifeguard shorts in the industry. When the trunks you wear are your everyday uniform, you need to know that you’re not going to lose them to – or in – the water. Other brands of shorts can lose their color or shape, among other boardshort fatalities that will make your lifeguards extremely uncomfortable. But when you are in the industry of saving lives, you know what other lifeguards are looking for and what they need to be comfortable in their lifeguard shorts throughout their 15-hour days.

Visit our Lifeguard Storeat www.originalwatermen.com to check out the full line of lifeguard shorts, clothing, swimsuits etc. we offer for men, women and junior guards.

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