Wow! Over 300 applicants hit the surf yesterday morning after a near 3 hour check in process. The shotgun start began just past 9:30 a.m. and three swimmers were out front at the end with Ryan Makuta exploding out of the surf after catching a wave and running up the beach with chest forward and legs pumping! The other two guys didn't have a chance or have the legs to keep up with Ryan! Well done, Ryan! You earned it! You deserve it! His dad, Jimmy "Mak" Makuta, was so stoked he was nearly speechless! So proud. So much love and respect for his son's determination, stamina and strength. Esp. when the other two swimmers popped up from the surf ahead of Ryan and then he literally exploded out of the water and was the only one of the three of them with the leg strength and stride. Stunning Finish! You had to be there!... but trust me that's how it went down! Woo Hoo!...
But let's not get carried away. Let's back up from the beginning. Check-in began at approximately 7 a.m. with many applicant's arriving earlier than that to avoid the lines. We rolled in at 7:30 a.m. to find a line that stretched several hundred yards long from Santa Monica Lifeguard HQ out the driveway to the boardwalk and then south to the the public restrooms. Humongous turn-out! This is why we stay on the list, people! :-)
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| The end of the line at approx. 7:30 a.m... |
That's right!... over 330 people showed up to do the swim! And the first 120 move on to oral interviews. Everybody after that goes home...
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| Gate Keeper! |
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| Gate Keeper II |
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| How many Paramedics in this photo? |
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| No idea why these guys are here... |
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| And the line is still barely moving... |
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| Man on a mission!... |
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| Applicant's on their way to starting line... |
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| Swimmers continue to arrive at starting area for pre-race warm up... |
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| Lifeguard safety personnel standing by while swimmers warm up... |
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| Capt. Tom Seth, in charge of paddleboarder - safety personnel |
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| (Future) 4th Generation Lifeguard in the arms of one of LACo's Finest Lifeguards |
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| Swimmers "mustering" to starting line... we're getting close to the start!... |
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| Getting ready for the start... |
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| "ZUMA" Representing!... |
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| All swimmers have now moved up to the starting line... |
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| The swimmers are through the surf line for the most part now... we captured the start on video (see below). |
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| Small wave breaking as last swimmers make it out through the surf line... |
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| Lead group of swimmers have just done a right shoulder turn at first buoy... now its a race to the finish line by the pier |
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| Lead group approaching final buoy... |
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| Lead group well inside final buoy and sprinting toward shore... |
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| Three swimmers neck and neck through the surf line... |
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| The first swimmer pops up... but will he win?!... |
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| And then suddenly there are three!... who will win?!... |
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| Ryan Makuta explodes to finish line in perhaps the strongest stride at the finish ever!... |
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| And finishing in the top twenty, former LACo Recurrent, Matty Mitchell, who (according to Joel Gitelson) is taking this swim test now for the third time and each time succesfully. Note to Matty: Stay on the list this time! :-) |
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| Hey!... speaking of Joel... |
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| Toby Contarsy, 14th overall! |
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| Ryan Makuta gets a big hug from his Uncle Rick! |
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| Look who's going to rookie school!?... No surprise there! |
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| Numero Uno! |
Some of the finishers within 6 degrees of our lifeguard community, including offspring, siblings, nephews, nieces, etc. who made the cut (include but are not limited to): Ryan Makuta and Toby Contarsy, as previously mentioned above, plus Mara Silka (daughter of Paul and Alicia Silka), Hogan Inscore (Mike and Joi's son), Tucker Hopkins (Jay Hopkins nephew)... all finished in the TOP 120 (that will go to oral interviews). Footnote: LACo Lifeguard Capt. Eugene Attanassio did the swim for the heck of it and finished 71st! The jury is still out on whether Eugene will have to take an interview or go thru rookie school again, which wouldn't hurt... :-) What a stud!
Additional Successful Swimmers in the TOP 120:
Lori Ann Mark, the daughter of Richard and Char Mark, also made the cut. So did Amanda Atkins, the daughter of Kenny Atkins. And Kristi Mirich (daughter of Pete Mirich) too!
Per Joi Inscore: The Fink boyz and Jenna Solberg (daughter of Mel) too!
Per Nathalie Locas Brouwer: Matty Gallas (son of Diane Graner), Ryan Moryl (son of JD Moryl), and Olivia Marsh made it too.
Per Dan Murphy: Former (LACo Jr. Lifeguard) Cadets going to interviews include Patrick and Mathew Fink, Quincy Lee (little brother of Betsy), Koa Nakkim, Charlie Pogue, Brian Wells, Nick Johnson, Tiana Pugliese, Jenna Solberg, Cody Kelley, and Kristy McGee. Chuck Moore's nephew (Dave Moore's son) and Brian Hogue's son also both went to interviews.
Some great success stories here! Lots to cheer about, that's for sure! Well done to the first 120 finishers. You've worked hard and made the cut. Congratulations!
BONUS CONTENT ALERT! We're not done yet!
*** Video Highlights! Woo Hoo! If still photos aren't enough for you. Check out these six videos which will escort you through the morning from check-in to the start! Enjoy!
1. "The Long Line To Check In: The Video"
http://youtu.be/JBnAP0FbRpU
2. "Video #2: 2012 LACo Lifeguard Rookie Swim"
http://youtu.be/ho7xrn8vTt0
3. "Video #3: Warming Up; Pre-Race"
http://youtu.be/4ZMBEAZHass
4. "Mustering The Swimmers: Video #4"
http://youtu.be/t_WMqtq3H8o
5. "Video #5: At Water's Edge"
http://youtu.be/zKRJRWr4s-4
6. "The Start: Video #6"
http://youtu.be/J_JarL-lN8I
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That's all Folks!
*** All photos and videos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2012. All Rights Reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Until next time.....
"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
Service • Training • Commitment
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4 comments:
Don't forget Amanda Atkins (Kenny)
Kristi Mirich (Pete)!
Just in from Kauai local and former Zuma Recurrent, Larry Loganbill:
"Not one parent, relative or friend standing on the beach at the 1962 rookie swim...Roy Saari (future world record holder) watched some of the races on the last Sunday of training and competition because he was going to be taking the test the next year. Gary Crum at 15 swam some of the events preparing
for when he turned 18.
Of course in those days training started immediately after you dried off from the qualifying swim.
Cappy Sheeley from Punahou was No. 1...
Tom Viren No. 2. (Cappy says Viren should have won the swim but Cappy kept stopping him to ask him where the buoy at the breakwater was located.
I don't remember any other permanents out of that rookie school except for Viren. Three guys from rookie school totally
disappeared off the radar screen... didn't take a schedule and were never heard from again. Most everyone of our 20-man rookie school was sent to Zuma...
I think I was the only illegal UNDERAGE LACo pool lifeguard who took the beach test... don't tell anyone. Starting pay in 1962: $2.89 per hour.
SIDEBAR: When Cappy arrived on the beach for the qualifying swim with Viren he saw a Red 1960 Olympic Team Bag on the beach and
asked Viren who the bag belonged to. Viren told him it belonged to Ron Crawford on the 1960 USA Olympic Water Polo Team... told him
Crawford went to Downey HS... same as Loganbill... don't even worry about him. Cappy said, "then why don't I have one of those bags?"
Crawford was third... swam most of the race backstroke."
Just in from Veteran LACo Recurrent & Firefighter, Sean Findlay: "The swimmer who led the pack and got beat at the finish by Jimmy's son was Collin Baratte, son of recurrent lifeguard Larry Baratte. Always great to see tradition carried on!"
Just in from Veteran LACo Recurrent/SMC Swimming & Water Polo Coach/Father of 2 LACo Recurrents, Steve Contarsy/and Uncle to at least two LACo OL's (with two more just making the cut in the 2012 Swim last weekend):
"Well done Mr. Maguire, esq. I would like to add a few omissions that I think must be mentioned. First , Toby was also a member of the "LACO Cadets" that were successful along with Marissa Purcell (Mira Costa HS and Cal water polo).
Continuing the long tradition of athletes from SMC Aquatics (coached by Johnny Joseph and currently Steven Contarsy) which has been putting LACO lifeguards on the beach since the 1950's. The 2012 group included Bradley Rava (29), Nestor Dordani (74), Tucker Hopkins (89), Patty Salgado (91) , Katya Shatalova (97), and Samantha Lambour (also an LACO cadet) (108).
So if these additions could make it to the blog it would be greatly appreciated.
As always, thanks a million,
Dr. Contarsy"
*** note: Thanks Doctor!!!
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