Back in the 19th century New Jersey was known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic”. This nickname was earned due to the estimated 5,000 shipwrecks that occurred along the shoreline. Needless to say, it wasn’t an attractive travel destination. (That’s where lighthouses come into play, but that’s a whole other story.) In an attempt to change this mindset, and make the shore a safer place, Atlantic City created the “Constable of Surf” position. These people were essentially Atlantic City cops in beachwear. After seasons of supervision, numbers indicated that vacationers were, in fact, safer with a “Surf Constable” on duty. Industry savvy even in the 1890’s, Atlantic City became the first beach in New Jersey to employ full-time lifeguards, allowing the city to flourish in the summer months. Guarding lives became an integral part of the City’s growth.
Now, lifeguards are stationed on nearly every beach along the coast and continue to be a main source of safety for all vacationers. Most communities actually have their lifeguards sworn-in to the police department. Some geographic locations call for lifeguards to assist in mountain rescues and can sometimes function as a primary EMS provider. Since New Jersey beaches have become even more of a summer vacation destination (Thanks MTV!), lifeguards are a very important component to life here at the shore. Not only do they protect swimmers and enforce rules, but they always look good doing it too! It doesn’t hurt when you’re able to perfect your tan every day at work, or if you’re rocking these Native shades.
As much as we love to embrace it, we also need to protect ourselves from the sun’s harsh UV rays. The human understanding of the sun is still developing—with so many anomalies, a lot of the sun’s behavior remains unexplained. Still, current technology allows UV protection to not only exist in sunglasses, but also in hats and clothing. Items such as our Kona Rashguard help to protect us from the sun’s harmful rays, while keeping up with trending fashion. With the trending incline in extreme weather conditions, this kind of technology is definitely something to consider this summer, along with sunscreen.