It takes a special type of person to swim out into the most dangerous waves in the world. But in the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii - that mindset has long been a part of the local tradition.

It's a tradition with a heavy cost. At Pipeline (the most famous wave in the North Shore) over 12 surfers have died in the water. That number would be a lot higher if not for the efforts of the local lifeguards, who risk their own lives everyday to keep the community safe in the water.

As surfers ourselves, we’re honored to announce a new exclusive partnership with this incredible group of watermen. Each member of the North Shore Lifeguard Association has been issued a Vaer watch as their official timekeeping tool. We’re stoked that they trust Vaer to assist them in protecting the shore and saving lives in some of the world’s toughest ocean conditions.