Q by Equinox Releases Guardians of the Sea, a Film on Hawaii's Elite North Shore Lifeguards
In Support of World Ocean Day, this short film looks at the men who mind one of the most dangerous stretches of beach in the world
NEW YORK, June 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Deemed the modern-day Guardians of the Sea, Hawaii's North Shore Lifeguards battle pounding surf and massive swells to perform hundreds of rescues every year along one of the most dangerous coastlines on the globe.
In their latest film, Q by Equinox provides an intimate look at three generations of this elite organization. The doc-style short sheds light on how these guards eat and train to stay in peak physical condition for a job that pits them against wall-like waves that reach up to 60 feet high.
"The North Shore lifeguards are one of the most respected organizations in the world. We wanted to show how this incredible group of athletes builds their bodies for a job where staying fit is literally a matter of life and death," says Sheila Monaghan, executive editor of Q.
The guards, most of whom have worked for years to qualify for an exclusive position within the North Shore unit, maintain an intensive training program. The men featured say the secret to their regimen is leveraging their natural surroundings—from workouts that require them to carry boulders across the ocean floor to a diet rooted heavily in fresh fish, which is often caught by friends who are fisherman.
"My family, we are really connected to the land and to the ocean," says guard Kumu Blomfield. "I love the ocean, I've always loved the ocean. There's a lot of different jobs but you want to do something you love."
"Training in these conditions keeps us ready for when we have to make a rescue," says guard Bryan Phillips.
The guards, who often train together, dedicate an hour a day to intense physical activity in and out of the ocean—rigorous trail runs, mountain biking, surfing or hiking—and emphasize the importance of functional training for agility.
"You need to be fit; being a muscle man and being bulky doesn't work for us. You'll sink," says Phillips.
The guards have a similar outlook when it comes to the way they approach their diet, which is made up in large part by locally sourced produce and fish sold at farmers' markets on the island.
"Certain foods give you good energy, and if you have a rescue you want to feel light...In this job, I eat more small meals, I don't want to feel heavy," says guard Donovan Silva.
The stylized film was shot by esteemed surf cinematographer Russell Brownley. The video can be accessed here: (http://q.equinox.com/articles/2015/06/north-shore-lifeguards-video)
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About Q By Equinox
Q is the media platform created by Equinox to bring intelligence, style and sophistication to the fitness and wellness space. Q collaborates with some of the world's top photographers and directors to produce award winning content built around achieving a high-performance lifestyle. The site's team of editors, hailing from top fitness and lifestyle publications, marries the expertise of Equinox's in-house talent and a network of the world's top doctors and scientists with an artful aesthetic to create a unique point of view that elevates wellness in the broader cultural conversation. http://q.equinox.com
Video - http://youtu.be/CZosL9xdHlk
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