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
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.
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.
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
Sales team member Ryan admires long lines of swell bending around a point at sunset.
How can they do it with no wetsuit? How can people will themselves to take off their clothes and get into frigid water? Are they crazy?
Cold water, cold weather and cold bodies, nothing stops the true watermen. Lifeguards and Coast Guards must perform dangerous cold-water – sometimes even icy – winter rescues and participate in winter try-outs and practice rescues all year long. As well, tri-athletes, competitors and adventurous individuals frequently brave the frigid waters.
Sometimes a wetsuit won’t work or doesn’t make sense depending on the activity or sport involved. According to a longtime friend, watermen and professional California State lifeguard, a wetsuit just doesn’t make sense, “if you want to get to the water in 5 to 10 seconds”. In some sports and competitions, a wetsuit isn’t worn unless absolutely necessary because it slows you down and restricts range of motion, both inside and outside the water.
So how do Watermen enter the bitter cold water to swim, sail, kayak, ride, spearfish, dive or do a multitude of other sports without hesitation, you ask; well here is how.
Keeping warm in cold water comes down to wearing the right protective layers such as compression shorts and a long-sleeved rashguard. It really helps to acclimate to the water temp, but that’s not always applicable/possible. Lifeguards going out on an emergency rescue don’t have time to squeeze into a wetsuit. Although watermen in a sailboat, kayak or SUP aren’t inside the water, the Watermen compression shorts will block the bitter wind and splashes to prevent stiffening muscles and even cramps.
Cover Your Upper Body
Watermen yearn for warmth without losing mobility or speed. Covering your body is the key to cold water performance (& survival!). Cover your upper torso with a rashguard. A rashguard holds a little heat close to your body and blocks constant bouts of cold water. It keeps the muscles warm to prevent cramps and muscle weariness, and helps with muscle support. They also help prevent abrasions caused from boards, life vests or wetsuits. Original Watermen rashguards allow a full range of motion for paddling or swimming, while guaranteeing rash free protection because they’re built with breathable, soft, 4-way stretchy AquaFast Extra Life Lycra and low-profile flat-locked seams. They come in short or long sleeves.
Another way to stay warm is by wearing surf shirts, which are similar rashguards but looser fitting. Our rashguards and surf shirts are hydrophobic, quick drying and water repellant. Layer the rashguard or surf shirt with a wetsuit, dry suit or a survival suit.
We also make these for your little ones. Rashguards and surf shirts will keep your child from suffering blue lips after swimming. Not only will it keep your kids warm, but also provide sun protection UPF 50+. The surf shirts are made with special looser fitting fabric giving kids a t-shirt like feel. No more rashes from boogie boards or sand. Note: surf shirts are made with chlorine-block material making them great for swimming pools.
Cover the Lower Half
Watermen never forget the lower half of their body, and Watermen compression shorts are their go-to. Wear these amphibious men’s compression shorts on their own or use them as boardshort liners since they slide easily under almost anything.
Not all compression shorts are made the same. Our compression shorts are made to be used in the water as well as on land, and they are perfect for people with active lifestyles. These low-drag compression shorts streamline your body, shaving time off your rescues and races. The tight-fit compression offers more benefits in addition to extra support and warmth. Compression shorts boost athletic performance by improving blood flow which helps reduce muscle fatigue and promote faster muscle recovery.
Are there compression shorts for children? Our “junior”-sized compression shorts range from small to large, so your child no longer has to worry about sand gathering in their cotton underwear leaving them wet and cold, and/or causing rashes.
*Bonus*: if you are a year-round lifeguard or want to get serious in a year-round water sport, you may want to consider neoprene socks (& hoods). Exposure to cold water often results in a throbbing feeling, but having neoprene on your feet allows you to slowly adjust to the temperature without any painful annoyance. Even professional racers use neoprene socks, though it is suggested to take them off once your body has adjusted to the current water temperature.
ACCLIMATE when Possible
If you’re exercising or competing inside the water, it’s really helpful to acclimate your body to the water temps before you go 100%. When you first dive in keep your body moving with swift/quick movements and it will get used to the cold. Give yourself minimum of 10-15 minutes to fully warm-up before hitting full throttle. Unless you’ve practiced cold water entries, it’s best not to dive, jump or run into the water until your body has warmed up and adjusted.
So, stay warm in cold water with Watermen gear! At Original Watermen, we back our products as being the best for creating a feeling of a warm water environment in the most frigid water, and making the highest quality apparel even for the harshest of winter months.
The right boardshort liners underneath your wetsuit can make a huge difference in the colder months. Original Watermen Boardshort liners give your waterman an extra layer of warmth.One extra layer heating up your engine can take you the extra mile.
The Watermen shorts are boardshort liners that are breathable, eco-friendly soft lycra made from recycled fishing nets. These boardshort liners are made by Watermen for Watermen. As keepers of the ocean, we understand the impact we make and we do our best to mitigate those effects. The Watermen Short is eco-friendly and made from recycled fishing nets. You will have a clear conscience and clear of rashes, while rocking these bad boys. Original Watermen continues to set the bar high with quality craftsmanship when making their products. The Watermen Shorts are no exception, as they’re made with ultra-soft, breathable Lycra®. Combine this comfort and sustainability with the draw-cord waist and you won’t have any reason to ever take these boardshort liners off.
Don’t let your muscles catch a chill underneath your wetsuits. If you’re really getting after then you’re destined to get some water flushing through your suit. We want to encourage that charging attitude so instead of second guessing a knifing drop because of the cold water, go for it and know that board short liners are solid backup plan to getting some integral pieces warm.
Not only are the watermen shorts perfect for layering under your wetsuit, they also aid in the treacherous changing process. When it’s cold outside, you want to spend the least amount of time in the low temps, especially in your bare skin. If you are already prepped in your board short liners, the changing process will be done in record speed. You’ll be toasty and getting spit out of tubes before your mates can even get themselves zipped up.
These boardshort liners are optimal for layering and giving you core warmth in the colder months. They fit like a second-skin, so you get the added warmth without the weight. Stay light and fluid in the Watermen shorts.
Finding the right wetsuit is nothing short of a marathon. Wetsuits come in all different types of fits, thicknesses and feature all different types of technology. Some suits offer extra warmth, some are more flexible and others are fast-drying. It’s best to go into the shopping process with an idea of what exactly you are looking for in a suit. Our biggest tip to get you through this strenuous process is to make sure you are rocking yourboard short liner. It will make trying on wetsuits 100% easier.
With the amount of hours logged between all of us watermen, we have come to decision on our top 5 wetsuits this winter and here they are:
1) Patagonia Yulex
This is a wetsuit we can really get behind. The Yulex wetsuit is designed with a renewable rubber instead of the conventional neoprene used in most massed produced wetsuits. Using a renewable rubber source cuts down on Carbon Dioxide emissions. Patagonia is paving the way in eco-responsible business approaches. Show your love for earth and oceans by supporting a company that is putting their efforts into preserving our environment. Reduce your carbon footprint in Patagonia’s Yulex wetsuit. Patagonia offers this suit in a full range of thicknesses to have you covered in all water temperatures.
2) Body Glove
Body Glove’s premier suit, Red Cell, uses technology to take warmth to the next level. It harnesses infrared technology to make this suit one the warmest on the market. Not only is warm, it also is built with less seams to give you optimal movement and flexible. Body Glove is a trusted wetsuit company that has passed the test of time.
3) XCEL
Xcel wetsuits has always been synonymous with flexibility and lite weight neoprene. Xcel is a company that specializes in wetsuit manufacturing, so that as a consumer, you can be assured that all over their energy and concentration is in delivering a quality product. Their dry lock technology keeps the water out and the warmth in. And less times your suit endures the flush out the warmer your waterman will be.
4) Rip Curl
With Rip Curl’s quick dry features, you will never be lazy in bed while the surf is firing because you can’t get over the thought of putting on a cold, wet wetsuit. Rip Curl’s Flash Bomb is the world’s fastest drying wetsuit. So forget single sessions days, you’re back out there in the Flash Bomb.
5) O’neill
Founder Jack O’neill is accredited with inventing the wetsuit. Now, if that isn’t enough legendary information then we don’t know what is. O’Neill’s Pyscho Tech suit offers flexibility and lightweight rubber so that you almost feel like you are surfing in nothing at all. Their suits are uniquely designed to retain heat in all the right places.
Now that you have a list of our 5 favorite suits, you can decide which was tickles your fancy and get to the sweat fest of trying them on at your local surf shop.
So, stay warm in cold water with Watermen gear! At Original Watermen, we back our products as being the best for creating a feeling of a warm water environment in the most frigid water, and making the highest quality apparel even for the harshest of winter months.
