Designed by true ocean lifeguards for watermen, waterwomen and all lifeguards. Our best selling Lifeguard boardshorts have all the key features that offer superior fit and unmatched comfort in the life-saving industry. From perfectly placed pockets to our draw-chord through waistband design that ensures the best snug and secure fit, our boardshorts are genuinely thought as the most durable and most technical pair on the market. After making products for lifeguards over the past 30 years, you quickly learn what looks good and what actually works. Our mission to build the most lightweight, fast drying and long-lasting boardshorts has pushed our design team and their decades of experience to create the most functional and comfortable pair of lifeguard boardshorts.
1979. Carlsbad State Beach, CA. Watermen was born, as lifeguards crowded around the back of a ’72 VW Camper van. Two coworkers, Ken Miller and Jennifer Stevenson, shared their innovative swimwear designs, that would redefine lifeguards’ expectations of their gear. “We craft purpose-built, durable, performance swimwear and apparel for committed WATERMEN. We focus on the gear, so water heroes can focus on what’s important.” We exist to serve the committed, the lifeguards, rescue swimmers, and ocean-first individuals whose work begins where others turn back. For them, the sea isn’t a backdrop; it’s a proving ground. Every wave, every rescue, every shift tests resolve and reveals what’s real. Every stitch, fabric, and fit is made to endure salt, sand, and service. Because when the job is to protect, there’s no room for failure. Our ethos, Earn Your Salt, is more than a phrase. It’s a way of life. It’s about putting in the work, respecting the elements, and honoring those who came before us. We build to last, we serve with purpose, and we protect the places we play.