Why are lifeguard rashguards so important? Lifeguards, junior lifeguards, surfers, standup paddle boarders, boogie boarders and all other water adventurers that spend time in the ocean, rivers, lakes or pools, need to be protected from the elements (sun, sand, wind and cold). They spend long hours, day after day battling the elements that wreak havoc on their bodies without the proper protection. Sunburns, rashes, skin cancer, chafing, abrasions, and a variety of other problems can be controlled by the simple use of a rash guard or surf shirt.
Rash Guards originated in Australia and besides being associated with water sports they are now being used in other sports such as baseball, American football, water polo etc. These athletes are using rash guards and surf shirts for protection against cuts, burns and the spread of diseases. Variations of the rash guard can be seen around the world.
Lifeguards by far spend the most time exposed to the various elements described above, so rash guards are basically part of their everyday work attire. Original Watermen, a company owned and operated by lifeguards, has created a lifeguard rash guard for men and women, as well as the everyday water lover. Our rash guard has been tested and proven year after year, by the men and women protecting the lives of others. That said; take note of the five most important qualities each rash guard must adhere to.
Material
The material should be made from a 70 / 20% extra life nylon Lycra. This advanced high performance material has a unique silk touch feel. The Aqua Plus is a 4-way stretch moisture wicking fabric which keeps you dry and comfortable. Aqua Plus fabrics provide an enhanced performance feature of water repellency, the water beads up and roll off the surface giving you the ultimate in quick-dry comfort. Lifeguard rash guards made with this material are lightweight and are extra soft for utmost comfort. Surf shirts are made of the same material and becoming popular because they are roomer then the tighter fitting rash guard. Fungal infection is often an issue, it can form from cheap, lower quality foam boards. The infection is recognizable by a rash that gets worse and worse and requires medical attention. Original Watermen rash guards and surf shirts offer a protective solution from such an infection. Our rash guards are constructed with an anti-microbial extra life nylon Lycra, which keeps the material free from contaminates.
UV Protection
Skin can be especially sensitive to the sun and sunscreens. Lifeguard rash guards, and all rash guards alike should provide SPF protection. Our rash guards and surf shirts carry a UPF rating of 50+, which blocks out over 98% of the sun’s harmful rays. Many children, and parents, find it is much easier to put on a rash guard or a surf shirt in place of sunscreen. Rash guards and surf shirts are also great because you don’t have to worry about applying and then re-applying the sunscreen. And for those of you who have skin allergies or are sensitivities to the chemicals in sunscreens a rash guard will solve your problem, offering plenty of UV protection.
The Rash
Sand and board wax rubs against both lifeguard and surfer’s torso while paddling out, causing abrasions and rashes. Without a rash guard or surf shirt, you end up with a pretty offensive rash on your stomach. Using a rash guard will prevent sand from getting between your skin and your board. Rash guards are tight fitting, like a second skin to prevent it from riding up and leaving the skin exposed between the bottom of the shirt and the top of the board shorts. As well the Flatlock seams keep you comfortable and rash free under the arms. Note: All our rash guards come with the no rash guarantee.
The Fit
The lifeguard rash guard fits snug around the body using a new compression technology which keeps the muscles fresh and engaged with a streamline Second Skin fit. Even the female lifeguard’s rash guard fits as it should while they run to a rescue. The tight fit also provides extra warmth in and out of the water. The rash guard fits easily under the wetsuits without bunching up. The looser fitting surf shirt is relatively new to the consumer market. They fit more like a t-shirt and can be worn anywhere. The rash guard or surf shirt name generally applies to water sports, but people are using surf shirts for several groups of activities: swimming, boating, golfing, tennis, gardening, water parks, beach trips, pool play, water skiing, surfing, snow skiing, sledding, sailing, in mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, hiking, and even as athleisure wear.
Construction
Our rash guards and surf shirts are made of a supreme hydrophobic material that is water repellent and fails to mix with water-sand. They are color fast to withstand daily doses of chorine while holding their shape. They are ultra-lightweight with exceptional breathability, so the moisture is whisked away. Other important components of a rash guard include flatlock stitching (mentioned above), and six panel construction. Flatlock stitching allows the seam allowances to lay flat to the garment instead of hanging loose from it. It is made by adjusting the overlock or the thread over edge stitch. The Flatlock stitching increases the strength of the garment for your intense exercise or recreational activities. The six-panel construction versus the conventional 4 panel t-shirt construction protects the wearer against rashes caused by abrasion. The low profile flat locked seam construction also provides Seamless paddle zones and the six panel construction delivers exceptional flexibility and long-lasting durability. Together they provide a full motion range for paddling or swimming. The sheik classic looks gives you the style you need to look great anywhere.
Rash guards protect you from many things, from chafing to jelly fish stings, but one of the best features about the lifeguard rash guards is they go from wet to wonderful in minutes, and allow you to work or surf in comfort. No rash guard or surf shirt apparel will suffice, so take some time to view our selection in the Original Watermen lifeguard store before you buy.
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.
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.
Surf trips are the Holy Grail for a surfer. Most of us live at a subpar local break and we if don’t, the idea of breaking the everyday monotony and seeking adventure is enough to dedicate our lives to surf tripping. We work to take surf trips; it’s a means of happiness. The adventures spell our success. Whether you score the waves of your lifetime or just get to enjoy a new place and culture, one thing you can do to set yourself up for a good trip is to be prepared. Here are the things we include in our surf pack so that all we are thinking about is searching for perfect wave set-ups and not searching for anything we forgot back home.
Surf Trip Wear
Surf rash guard is a must for your trips. If you are traveling to find waves, then you are probably going to spend most of your daylight time in the ocean. That’s a lot of sun and wear and tear on your skin. Keep it simple and stay protected in Original Watermen’s rash guard. The benefits are endless and here is a post to keep even more informed on rash guard benefits.
Original Watermen’s board shorts are our premiere super stretch short that will keep up with you wave to wave on your next surf trip. These bad boys are the prefect surf trip short because they are fast drying, allowing for the perfect transition from barrel to post surf beers at the surf camp. We know what surf trips are like you pack a quiver of shorts to only find yourself in your surf trunks the entire time, these are shorts for you. They are the most durable shorts and were made for with the avid surfer in mind.
The Essentials
The essentials are a few things that go a long way. These items are simply over looked until you don’t have one of them and realize how much it can affect a surf trip. First off, a fin key, this cute little key is a life savior and during the hustle and bustle of getting your boards packed and taking your fins out you may forget this little guy, so do yourself a favor and throw an extra fin key in your bag. Leash string, there is some sort of law of surfing that states that you will only break your leash string at a break when the waves are off its head-firing and you can’t possibly surf without a leash AND no one has an extra string. So at least, if you pack an extra leash string your chances of actually breaking one are slim to none. But now you have your crew covered in case one of your mates break their string. Sunscreen, because sunburns are a major surf trip bummer. Wax, for obvious reasons. Ding repair kit is a crucial item to keep in your surf trip pack, you are in a new place so the unexpected can happen, be ready for quick fixes. Throw these essentials in your bag and don’t despair being under prepared.
So there you have it, get to packing! And have a good trip, bon voyage, buen viaje, gute reise, viagem boa, buon viaggio; no matter how you say it, make sure to embrace the journey, seek the adventure, and always Earn Your Salt!
As watermen we are the protectors of the ocean. The ocean is our natural habitat, playground, and sanctuary; if we don’t do our best to keep it around for generations to come than who will? One of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems, coral reefs, is in danger of dying off and there may be a simple solution we can all do to keep it around for our grandkids and their grandkids. The solution is to wear rash guards and limit the amount of sunscreen you apply.
The Threat
Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean’s floor but are home to millions of fish, invertebrates, and algae. Not only are they one of the most important marine ecosystems they also support commercial and recreational fisheries and local tourism. Studies show that the chemicals in conventional sunscreen are harming the coral reefs. Reefs are also important barriers for coastal areas during storm surge. The harmful chemical found in sunscreen is known as Oxybenzone, a UV filtering compound, that is killing coral and is found in high concentrations around reefs that tourist frequently visit. Oxybenzone is a primary cause to endangering reefs and threatening reefs resiliency to climate change.
What You Can Do
Limit the amount of sunscreen you use by wearing a short or long sleeve rash guard. Original Watermen’s rash guards are SPF 50+ and fit like a second-skin. The special blend of 78/22% Xtra-Life Nylon Lycra in Original Watermen’s rash guard guarantees protection, comfort, and top-performance. Not only do rash guards keep you in the water longer and get you out there in a more timely fashion, it also is a stride in the right direction in protecting the marine environment. We know that you can’t exactly wear a full body and face rash guard and is still absolutely necessary to wear sunscreen on some areas of your body, just make sure the sunscreens you are using are reef-friendly. You can check if sunscreens are reef-friendly by checking the labels and seeing if they contain natural elements like zinc-oxide or titanium oxide instead of the harmful ingredient, Oxybenzone.
By taking small steps, paddles, strokes, and kicks we can preserve the coral reefs and the many benefits they provide for the next generation of watermen. Remember that the lotions your apply to your skin before entering the ocean may contain harmful chemicals and are ultimately affecting one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world.
Whether you are spending the majority of your time underwater or on the surface it is integral to keep your skin protected. Rash guards, uv shirts, or surf shirts have you covered. Rashguards protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays because of their special blend of fabrics. As waterman, we are always looking for ways to prolong our water time. Here are all the benefits of rash guards that keep us staying salty:
Sun Protection
Skin damage due to over exposure to the sun is a serious issue and can potentially result in permanent damage and in severe cases even death. According to skincancer.org, “1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of their lifetime”. That’s a much larger likelihood than having any type of interaction with a shark yet everyone seems to fear the man in the grey suit. UV shirts provide sun protection because of their specially blended fabric that contain a sun protection known as a UPF. Original Watermen’s rash guards offer a SPF/UPF of 50+. So next time, you’re out in the surf don’t burn, do big turns!
Rash Protection
Like the name states rashguards work as a protective layer for your skin to keep you from developing irritating rashes. There’s nothing worse than not being able to mad dog for a wave because your pits are plagued with rashes and forget fighting that 200-pound tuna with those rashes. Wear your rash guard before you put yourself in that state of despair.
No need for sunscreen reapplication
Surf, fish, and sail all day without the need to reapply sunscreen all over your body. Less time messing with sunscreen means more time in the water, the goal of every waterman. No longer do you need to spend the first couple minutes in the water trying to wash off the slippery sunscreen grease, rashguards are mess free.
Sun and rash protection as well as not having to reapply sunscreen make rash guards are top accessory pick for all watermen. It makes life easier and keeps you swimming, surfing, and on the top longer. Not only are you increasing your water time, you are also protecting your skin, the leatherback look really only works for the turtles. Take care of your skin while earning your salt!
Motion in the ocean and motion of the watermen are integral aspects for a successful expedition. In order to keep your motion up, you need an important addition to your watermen gear – a rash guard. Rashguards are made for warmth, comfort and skin protection. Whether you are surfing, swimming, fishing or a connoisseur of many water sports, rashguards are able to fill many purposes in your next watermen adventure. They come in many different fits and styles but the material that rashguards are made of is what’s most important.
Original Watermen’s rash guards are made out of a premium blend of 78/22% Xtra-Life NylonLycra. This top of the line fabric is watermen-approved because of it’s ability to be fast-drying, form-fitting and even provide UV shirt protection. The flat-locked seams in our rash guards’ design help prevent chafing and rashes. Our fabric is designed to stretch and fit your body like a second skin. The special blend of fabric allowing fast-drying gives you an amphibious approach to any of your watermen adventures. The fish might have it figured out with their scales, but Original Watermen’s rash guards come in at a close second to nature’s ultimate design.
Rash guards are also known as UV shirts because of the protection they provide our skin from the sun. Sun protection is one of the most important reasons to wear a rash guard. Encourage longevity of your skin and keep it protected. Rashguards provide sun protection because of their specially-blended fabric that contains a sun protectant known as a UPF. Original Watermen’s rash guards offer an SPF/UPF of 50+. This ensures that the only thing that’s potentially burning when you get back from your offshore adventure is the yellowfin on the grill that you hooked (but maybe try not to burn that either). Check out some more information about the benefits of our rash guards.
You remember the wave of the day you went backwards over the falls on just because you couldn’t take another hard dig with the rash in your arms pits??? Yeah, you remember, and so do all your buddies and fellow watermen that were out with you that day. Throw on a surf rash guard, jump in a time machine, paddle back into that wave and that memory turns into a barrel ride so legendary your grand-kids will be telling the story about it for years and years. A surf rash guard will keep you rash-free in the water longer, packing tubes all day.
You know that conquest feeling you get at the end of the day? You scored good waves, chased some fish, raced the sun, and pushed yourself deeper into the unknown. Here, at Original Watermen, we call that earning your salt. It’s a special urge watermen seek each morning and dream about at the end of each day. We truly believe that in order to perform at your best, much like soldiers preparing for battle, you need the right equipment. Don’t limit yourself with sunburns and rashes, be the best watermen you can be in Original Watermen’s rash guard.
