As San Diego county continues to flatten the curve and find its way back into society, Vista companies are still working to help the community deal with the new outlines for safety.
“We have seen many Vista companies rise to the challenges when it comes to helping during the pandemic,” said Vista Mayor Judy Ritter. “Their spirit and determination which is an integral component of the Vista community is still helping our city continue to grow and prosper.”
Mayor Ritter also credits the City Council and City leaders for their efforts in continuing to support business owners and investors in the community, including developing a resource guide available on the City’s website.
“Our city leaders have stepped up to provide assistance and information for our business community which will continue as we begin to reopen our city.”
Meanwhile, for many Vista businesses, their shift from helping during the crisis will continue as the City moves into the post-crisis phase and adjusts to new standards of doing business.
Helping First Responders
Those iconic red shorts worn by lifeguards on nearly every beach in the United States come from Vista located Watermen. This lifestyle clothing company started making swim shorts for lifeguards in the 1970’s and now suits 85 percent of lifeguards throughout the US with board shorts, women’s suits, hoodies, sweatshirts and tee shirts. “We basically move about 200,000 board shorts to lifeguard agencies all across the US,” said Ken Miller, founder of Watermen.
Watermen also provides suits for government agencies such as the Coast Guard, the Seal Team, and parts of the US Navy. “Our roots are with beach lifeguards, from there it just kind of grew. It’s a funny little niche, the perfect little niche.”
Now the company is fitting these same First Responders with face masks that work well in the wet environment that lifeguards work in daily. “We came out with a mask that could get wet. When you’re a lifeguard, you are wearing shorts all the time, and you have to be able to pull out a mask and put it on your face quickly,” said Miller.
