Watches, Wannabes and Waterman

Read with us, as Steve West explores and helps determine what a waterman really is and what some of his prerequisites might be. Do you think your a "Waterman"?

 

It’s a little known fact, the fast track way to achieve some vague semblance of waterman status, is to invest in a Rolex or Omega dive-timepiece. Indeed the number of waterman you might see on any given day in any metropolis far, far away from ocean shores, simply defies probability as to how these gentleman buyers find the time to work the hours required for the buy-in price and the time to hone their water skills and the number is growing daily.

Frankly, many look unsuited to their timepiece or certainly not what you may think represents the demographic of its namesake, but looks I guess can be deceiving. On the other hand, a Rolex goes hand in hand with luxury yacht ownership (indeed boating of any type) and monetary milestones, which can certainly preclude you from having to be able to swim. But in all seriousness, what’s it all about; men who can barely tread-water wearing beautiful time pieces that shout out, “I am Ocean-Man” or sentiments to that effect, or are they simply, James Bond wannabes.

One thing’s for sure, even the great Duke Kahanamoku would I am sure embraced the idea that swimming must first and foremost be a requirement for entry to waterman status, melded with a love of the ocean and for the creatures in it and that surfing per-se, is something you can choose or not choose to do on account of there being such an abundance of other water pursuits, skills and interests which by default would earn you waterman status in the same way as that of a horseman, mountain man or spaceman, of which the Polynesian voyagers where indeed of that same ilk. Read More;

So You Call Yourself A "Waterman"? Thrill Seekers & Risk Takers - The Movie Salty Crew

THRILL SEEKERS AND RISK TAKERS May 1, 2020
The unknown is shrinking, but it still exists. Introducing the latest Salty Crew movie.

Follow the crew in a search for their own frontier. As they surf, fish, and adventure along the way. Inspired by the thrill seekers and risk takers who have gone before them. The Salty Crew team passes through Alaska, British Columbia, Mainland Mexico, Western Australia, New Zealand, and back home to Southern California. Starring Matt Meola, Lucas Dirkse, Levi Slawson, Damien Hobgood, Duane Diego, Jerome Forrest, Nate Yeomans, and David Ochoa.

Watermen Heritage Tours - Chesapeake Bay

Going to the Chesapeake Bay sometime soon, check out some great tours through Watermen Heritage Tours 

Commercial Watermen come in many varieties, and so do the tours they offer. There are three basic types: On the Water experiences; On the Land experiences; and Speakers and Presenters.

The first decade of the twenty-first century saw several years with the lowest blue crab populations and harvest levels ever recorded. By 2008 fishery managers worried they might witness the crash of the blue crab stock, the most valuable and most fished of all the East Coast’s fisheries. In response to the numbers, new, tight restrictions were placed on the fishery in hopes the population would grow. In addition, Congress declared a fishery disaster, making $15 million available for restoration measures, and to support the fishermen.

A portion of that money went to an innovative training program, The Waterman’s Heritage Tourism Training Program, developed by a group of Chesapeake non-profit organizations. The partnership was initiated and organized by the Chesapeake Conservancy, included the Coastal Heritage Alliance, the Maryland Watermen’s Association, and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

Since its inception, the training program has graduated more than 100 watermen and provided them insights and skills in how to conduct heritage tours. The training isn’t meant to take the watermen off the water, but to give them skills they can use to supplement their incomes with a related new business.

This website supports the graduates of that program with a marketing outlet. Here you can find on the water and on land tours that will inform you about the life of the waterman, their communities, and the Chesapeake’s history. You can even locate speakers for events.

And here’s some more good news. The tighter regulations seem to have worked. Blue crab populations have responded, and the catches are up!

Meet the Waterman of Tahiti

Red Bull December 31,2019
Surfer Matt Poole takes part in The Waterman: an all-round ocean based competition in Tahiti, French Polynesia.
At Teahupo'o, one of the craziest waves in the surfing community, there is yet another competition that takes place: an all-round ocean based race, Waterman Tahiti.
The Waterman Tahiti Tour is THE standard against which all other “waterman” competitions are measured. Stand up paddle (SUP), open water swimming, prone paddleboard, body surf and lifesaving highlight the versatility and endurance of the athletes. Each year, they train to be able to meet the different challenges and exceed their personal limits. The Waterman Tahiti Tour is a championship measured in points amassed over 5 stages.

The Ways of the Waterman

FromKukui`ula with Aloha May 25, 2017

On Kaua’i, it is a sign of great respect to call someone a waterman, because it means much more than just being good, or even an expert, at activities like surfing or diving, fishing or paddling. To be a waterman (or a waterwoman) means to have knowledge and to understand the ways of the water—ways that are often passed down through ‘ohana.

Hawaiian Waterman

In this sense of the word, the Huaka’i Guides of Kukui’ula are all true watermen. According to Robert Miguel, the head of the Huaka’i Outfitters program, that’s what makes the Guides so special. They understand Kaua’i. And they can all, “Connect guests to the island.”

“This isn’t San Diego or Maui,” Robert says. “Those places have their own ways. It’s different here. So we fold people into the culture of Kaua’i.”

“Like, in the course of going surfing,” Robert explains, “ there are all these other things that are part of the culture here. We’re definitely going to pick some mangoes. We’re going to get a bite to eat somewhere in town. And we’re going to meet up with friends and talk story in the water.”

By the same token, learn to throw net at Kukui’ula and you won’t just learn technique, you’ll learn history, lore and story. Like about oloana, the natural fiber that, like taro, is a revered plant on Kaua’i, once grown and harvested specifically for net making. Or about time-honored techniques fishermen practice to help ensure a good catch. Or the different types of fish you can catch along the shore, the rocks or the reef. Want to know how best to enjoy the flavors of each one? Ask your Guide.

And then take your catch to Chef Ben who’ll prepare it for you—just a nice little extra perk to help you savor Kaua’i.

Five Surfers Drown Off the Coast of the Netherlands

THE TRAGEDY WAS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY STRONG WINDS AND ROUGH SEAS

Surfer May 12, 2020

After an unfortunate turn of events, the Dutch surf community mourns a tragic loss. The bodies of five surfers, several of whom were believed to be seasoned watermen with professional experience in open-water swimming, were found in the water near Scheveningen, a popular surf hub in the Netherlands about 30 miles southwest of Amsterdam.

According to various news reports, a group went missing yesterday evening after venturing out into the ocean during a particular heavy storm. After receiving their first call, the Dutch Coast Guard was able to rescue several people from the water last night, but two were later pronounced dead. When the search recommenced this morning, two more bodies were pulled from the North Sea and, according to the NYT, “one more was seen floating out to sea.” The Coast Guard ended its search in the early afternoon.  Read More

Surfer Photographer Ha'a Eats with Compassion, the Aloha Way

The Beet May 8, 2020

If she’s not in running 20 feet underwater, 50-pound rock in tow, Ha’a Keaulana is either at work, photographing other surfers at Mākaha Beach, or making Tofu Musubi in an air fryer.  Born 27 years ago into Hawaii’s unofficial “First Family of Surfing”, riding waves is in this West Side of Oahu native’s DNA. Her nickname is Ha’a, but her full name, Kaiha’ale’a, translates to “Joyful Dancing Sea” – apropos, given her family dynasty.

Ha’a’s grandfather is legendary waterman “Buffalo” Keaulana, icon and four-decade host of Buffalo’s Big Board Classic surf contest. Her father, Brian, is a big-wave surfer and the film industry’s go-to water stunt expert while Brian’s brother, Rusty, is a three-time World Longboard Champ. On top of all that: Ha’a cousin is actor Jason Mamoa, a.k.a. “Aquaman.”

Read More: Surfer Photographer Ha'a Eats with Compassion, the Aloha Way