County Recurrent

Offshore Effect...

2012-02-08T18:07:00.000-08:00

Dateline: Wednesday morning, Feb. 8, 2012, from the bluffs above Will Rogers Tower #16. Strong, gusting off shore winds brought us brilliant blue skies, and as is typical of off shore winds, blew water off the tops of the breaking waves. Just stunning!

(All photos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

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Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Super Bowl Sunday On The Sand

2012-02-06T12:29:00.001-08:00

Dateline: Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 (aka, Super Bowl Sunday 2012). We began our morning journey from Will Rogers to the Santa Monica Pier at the WRHQ ramp at approximately 1100 hrs...

Approaching Santa Monica North Tower #8...

On duty at SMN Tower #8, Veteran OLS, Richard Solomon... who is also baffled as to how the iguana got up there on the top of the tower... note: no seagulls nesting or sh***ing up there, though...

"Day of the Iguana"?!... Check out the replica iguana peeking over the edge of the roof above and to the left of the rescue can...

Approaching SMN Tower #15...

On duty and on a mission, below, Veteran OL Bill White, about to advise some patrons as to the law prohibiting dogs on the beach...

Cezanne skies...

1300 hrs, OL John Ying, opening up SMN Tower #12...

Annerberg Beach House Boardwalk to the ocean just north of SMN Tower #4...

The weather was so nice and there was a fair amount of activity leading to the opening of SMN Tower #4 too...

And A Minus Tide! -0.5, as a matter of fact!

Last but not least, the surf was pumping at Will Rogers Tower #16 on our way back...

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All Photos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

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DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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Central Section Shout Out, Sat., Feb. 4, 2012

2012-02-04T23:20:00.001-08:00

Another day of summer weather... at CSHQ they said they ran the hiring list! We hope you enjoy these photos of our walk along SMS to the Venice Breakwater... finishing up with the view of the Sunset from above Will Rogers Tower #8 at Temescal Canyon Rd. and PCH.

Below, Venice Breakwater: OLS Rebecca Gilman on duty

Hey Anto! Just back from a surf trip to Ecuador...

Below, OLS Travis Robinson, on duty at SMS Tower #26

And a Minus Tide too!... -0.5 in the early afternoon...

Below, George Akopyan at SMS Tower #20

(All photos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

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Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

*** *** ***

Summer in Winter!...

2012-01-26T12:27:00.001-08:00

(Will Rogers Tower #6 area, Jan. 25, 2012. Photo by & Copyright Will Maguire 2012.)

(Will Rogers Tower #16 area, Jan. 24, 2012. Photo by & Copyright Will Maguire 2012.)

Mid 80's?!... in January?!... and a High Surf Alert?!... No, you are NOT dreaming!

That's right, as previously announced yesterday:

Winter Storm/High Surf Warning!

It will be here..., Thursday, Jan. 26th and El Porto and other west and northwest facing beaches are going to get SLAMMED!

http://local.msn.com/bulletin.aspx?q=Marina+del+Rey-CA&eid=20332&zip=90292

Excerpt:

HIGH SURF WILL IMPACT THE COAST LATE THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. * SURF...BREAKERS WILL BUILD TO 6 TO 8 FEET BY LATE THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND THURSDAY NIGHT. THE SURF IS EXPECTED TO SUBSIDE TO 4 TO 6 FEET BY LATE MORNING FRIDAY. THE LARGEST SURF WILL BE ON WEST TO NORTHWEST FACING BEACHES. * IMPACTS...LARGE BREAKERS IMPACTING THE COAST WILL CREATE AN INCREASED RISK OF DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS AND SNEAKER WAVES. ..."

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"Ocean Wet Daily: East Coast Report", by Tom Thorson

2012-01-23T09:47:00.000-08:00

Just in from LACo Recurrent (Ret.), Tom Thorson, from the East Coast who through the winter continues to kayak in the early morning despite cold temps.

On Jan 23, 2012, at 9:28 AM, Thorson, Tom E. wrote:

"It was around 18 degrees... perfect kayaking weather... 6 to 8 inches of snow on the ground... but the JJ kayak was ready."

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*** All Photos by & Copyright Tom Thorson 2012. Used here with permission.

Thanks to Tom for sharing his photos and remarks with all of us. And for his exceptional example of staying ocean fit despite the cold temps. So all of you
snowbird recurrents charging in the powder this winter... no excuses!

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Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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Stormy Saturday in Central Section...

2012-01-21T20:54:00.000-08:00

Dateline: Saturday, January 21, 2012.

As the rain storm continued to pelt Los Angeles, the on shore wind and salt spray was heavy at the beach until past noon. It cleared up thereafter but stayed windy on shore thru till sunset.

Enjoy!

Below, OLS John Zimpelman, on duty and on patrol on Santa Monica South this morning...

Below, OLS and Central Section Call Car Crew member, Patrick O'Neil, at the switchboard at CSHQ late this morning...

Dusk along the bluffs above Will Rogers Tower #8 at Temescal Cyn. Rd. earlier this evening...

The sunset this evening...

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10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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"Pelican On Duty", by Tom Thorson

2012-01-17T14:30:00.000-08:00

(Photo by & Copyright Tom Thorson 2012. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission.)

Dateline: San Pedro, California
Tuesday morning, Jan. 17, 2012

In an exclusive interview with "County Recurrent" News, Veteran LACo Recurrent Lifeguard/Photographer/Father/Grandfather, Tom Thorson, captured this amazing photo above of an absolutely Ginormous California Pelican early this morning on a set of nets down by the waterfront in San Pedro. This Pelican is clearly not missing any meals. These nets are not getting stolen, that's for sure!

Clearly, Top Dog, er, Pelican, this Monstrous Pelican laid claim to this bundle of nets and as Tom approached to get a closer look at it, the Pelican raised its wings and actually advanced on Tom ! Whereupon having gotten this shot, Tom retreated to a safer distance. After all, he is back on the west coast visiting one of his daughter's who just gave birth to his fourth grandchild, and in this case a grandson, namely, Nicholas Robert Kruse, born Jan. 13, 2012. Apparently, there are two more grand kids in the oven, er, on the way too. Enough Thorson's to make the Norwegian Gods shed tears of joy.

Congratulations, Gramps! And Thanks for letting us share your great photo of the King of Pedro Pelicans with all of us.

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Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

("So.Cal.Sunrise". Photo by & Copyright Tom Thorson 2012. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission.)

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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"Josh Williams Extreme NorCal Rescue", by Tom Seth

2012-01-10T09:33:00.000-08:00

Just in from LACo Lifeguard Captain Tom Seth!

"Josh Williams' Extreme Rescue" by Tom Seth

"I am writing to let you know of an extreme rescue that occurred in October 2009.

At about 7:30 am, on Saturday October 31st, off-duty LACo Ocean Lifeguard Joshua Williams paddled out for a surf at the south end of Ocean Beach in San Francisco.

The surf was 12 feet and the wind was blowing off shore by 10 mph creating perfect but dangerous conditions. The only problem was the dense fog allowed only 50 yards of visibility.

Joshua entered the water, battled the relentless over-head shore break, and paddled through the deep water rip current area to the barreling peaks on the outside. He caught a couple waves and had not seen another surfer but as he sat on his board waiting for another wave he thought he heard a distressed voice coming from much further outside. Joshua paddled toward the voice and soon realized that it was a desperate cry for help. As it happened, another surfer had paddled out and as soon as he got to the outside break he was caught by a set. A number of waves broke on his head with one of them snapping his leash and sending his surfboard to the beach. The surfer was then pulled further off shore by a rip current and the hard offshore wind.

When Joshua reached the victim he was a quarter mile off shore in a state of panic, he had swallowed some water and was having trouble keeping himself above water. Joshua pulled the man up onto his surfboard to rest and calmed him down for about 10 minutes. Luckily by this time the fog had started to lift and they had close to a quarter mile visibility. Joshua pulled the victim in to just outside the surfline and waited for a big set to pass. He timed it perfectly, paddling hard for shore with the victim holding on to his feet and made it through the break before the next set. He muscled through the rip current and again timed the shore break perfectly between sets. A couple of surfers realized what was happening and met Josh in waist deep water to help. On the beach Joshua received a hero’s welcome by a large group of beachgoers that had found the victims surfboard at the shore line and feared the worst.

The following letter was sent to Surfline.com by the victim and published as the letter of the week.

LOCAL NEWS:
Letter of the Week: A BIG thanks to 'Josh' for helping me out this weekend at Sloat in SF. On a big OH/DOH day, my leash snapped. I took a couple on the head and started to take on water. I was a little panicked and started looking for help. A bro by the name of Josh swam over to calm me down and help me back to the shore. I just want to send him a HUGE thanks and a big debt of gratitude. A little humbling to be put in such a position, however, I'm glad he was there to lend a helping hand. Thanks, Josh for bringing me back to the shore and pulling me out of the pit! Scott from SF

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Many Thanks to LACo Lifeguard Capt. Tom Seth for sharing this story of Josh Williams extreme rescue in the waters off San Francisco. And a Huge Shout Out of Kudos, Props & Way to Kick A** off duty and save a life by LACo Recurrent Lifeguard-Paddler-Surfer, Joshua Williams.

(Photo above shows Josh Williams, front and center, seated and wearing a green sweatshirt and hoisting twin victory hand signs. Summer 2009 Venice First Place Intracrew Team. Photo by & Copyright Will Maguire.)

(Photo above shows Tom Seth, at right, with fellow lifeguard-competitor, Mel Solberg, June 2011 at Torrance Beach at the Annual Jimmy Miller Foundation Lifeguard Competition. Photo by & Copyright Will Maguire 2011.)

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Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Winter Storm Warning: El Porto!

2012-01-09T13:18:00.000-08:00

Dateline: Saturday morning, January 7, 2012.

So we all know that El Porto rages on a west or northwest swell and so the rumor mill spread the word that E.P. was going off this past Friday and Saturday. Without any further delay the entire editorial dept. of "County Recurrent' hustled together its camera equipment and hauled a** down there. We will let the photos that follow tell the story...

"Strafing Dockweiler"

"Winter Storm Warning"! You are now entering EL PORTO! Check out that Peak offshore!

LACo Lifeguard Captain Greg Lee, in his wetsuit, ready for action. How stoked were we to see that this crew working El Porto and Manhattan Beach were being led by one of LACO's Finest!

L2R at Rosecrans, OLS Jamie Orr (on duty) and OLS Jessie Simon, just returning from a workout after having tested his surfing chops in the west swell pounding El Porto and No. Manhattan Beach

OLS Jessie Simon is "all over it" with a pair of binos and keeping an eye on a few sketchy surfers...

And here is another treat! According to Jessie Simon, shredding across this double overhead wave below is Shane Gallas, son of Veteran LACo Recurrent, Diane Graner Gallas (of the infamous Graner Clan of lifeguards, watermen and firefighters, etc. et al)

OLS Jamie Orr assisting OLS Cosmo Flynn (off camera) change out 02 bottles... these guys are really on it!

This Seagull owes its life to a concerned beach patron AND most of all to the surgical skills of Cosmo Flynn and a pair on narrow nosed pliars that removed a tangle of nasty hooks from a fishing lure.

Nothing like a "Breakfast Sandwich" at Wendy's Cafe in El Segundo afterwards along with the L.A. Times showing LACo Recurrent/Pro Surfer, Matt Mohagen, in triumph after charging a huge wave on Jan. 7th at the El Segungo Jetty (L.A. Times, Jan. 8, 2012, Section AA, LATEXTRA).

caveat: we also note here, for the record, that we are informed, however, that LACo Recurrent, Arthur C. Verge, Phd, prefers the Blue Butterfly Cafe around the corner on Main St.

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*** All photos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2012. All Rights Reserved.

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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"County Recurrent" Grapevine FYI

2012-01-06T13:15:00.000-08:00

(CSHQ, Friday, Jan. 6, 2011)

(Venice Pier, above, Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 around 10:30 a.m. Note Baywatch rescue boat off north side of pier; and below in close up)

(Swell revealing itself on north side of Venice Pier, Friday morning, Jan. 6, 2012. Gonna be another minus tide after 2 pm today. -0.5).

Just in via the proverbial lifeguard grapevine.... with respect to known Permanent Lifeguard (OLS, Captain) Transfers and (Re)Assignments for 2012... effective Jan. 8, 2012:

Transfers Across Sections:

• OLS JVD (from Central) to Rescue Boats - Del Rey

note: no worries to the Central Section Competition crew as JVD will still be eligible to compete in Central Section.

• Capt. John Larson (from Central) to Zuma

• Capt. Roger Murray (from Central) to So. Section

• OLS Tito Bourget (from Central) to Rescue Boats

• OLS Dave Carr (from Central) to Zuma

• OLS Spencer Parker (from Central) to So. Section

• OLS Patrick O'Neil to Central (SMS) (from Zuma)

• Capt. Ken Haskett from all over to Central (Venice)

• Capt. Brent Katzer (from Zuma) to Central

• OLS Alex Vicente (from Zuma) to Central

Area Reassignments:

• OLS Rick Solomon to Venice

• OLS Rebecca Gilman to Venice

• OLS Lidia Barillas to Venice

• OLS Eric Wylie to SMS

• OLS Eric Howell to Venice

• OLS Matt Pennington to Will Rogers

note: All OLS and Captains referenced herein are former LACo Recurrents. Just sayin'...

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All photos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2012. All Rights Reserved.

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T20:24:00.001-08:00

We begin this new year with a very special photo taken on New Years Day 2012 off Waikiki showing a pod of dolphins. Photo above courtesy of LACo Recurrent, Jeff McConnel. Photo by & Copyright Sebe Saenz de Santa Maria 2012. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission. Thanks Jeff and Sebe! 10-4.

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Additionally, how about the following shot from So. Section on New Years Day!?... by none other than veteran LACo Recurrent/Surf Guru, Kip Jerger?!...

"New Years Day 2012". Photo by & Copyright Kip Jerger 2012. Used here with permission. Per Kip: "The shot was taken January 1st. At Ainsworth Court in Redondo on the south side of Redondo pier."

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We thought we would also pass along a great parable forwarded to us recently by veteran LACo Recurrent, John "Matty" Matesich, as follows:

From: John Matesich
Subject: Two wolves ..... as told by the old Cherokee
Date: December 31, 2011

"This is probably the best I've ever heard life explained!"

TWO WOLVES

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

"One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego."

"The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:

"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied,

"The one you feed."

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Thanks Matty! 10-4.

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Happy New Year!

(Photo source: the two preceding sunset shots were taken from the bluffs above Will Rogers Tower #8 on Jan. 2, 2012. Photos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2012.)

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

*** *** *** *** ***

Just Another Minus Tide...

2011-12-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

Monday, December 26, 2011

Just Another Minus Tide...

Monday, Dec. 26, 2011..... Just a -1.2 low tide late this afternoon... "County Recurrent" stopped by Venice Pier and shot the heck out of it. Here are several of the photos snapped. Enjoy!

Below, "In the Fisheye"... OLS Scott DeBoer, on duty at Venice Pier

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

2011-12-22T17:00:00.000-08:00

(Christmas Eve at Zuma Lifeguard HQ. Photo by & Copyright Will Maguire 2011. All Rights Reserved.

To all of you Righteous and Incredible Recurrents, we wish you the happiest of holidays. Remember: Once a recurrent, always a recurrent. Once a lifeguard ALWAYS A LIFEGUARD. So enjoy yourselves, celebrate with family and friends and then get ready to bring it all on again in the New Year ! Woo Hoo ! 10-4, copy that !

"Santa's Chopper" by and Copyright Norton Wisdom 2010. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission. Thanks Norton !

*** To see more of LACo OLS, Ret., Norton Wisdom's artwork, please see:

http://www.nortonwisdom.com

*** *** ***

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

(Photo above shows the 2010 County Recurrent Holiday Schematic. Photo by Will Maguire. Used here with permission.)

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Lifeguard Towel Smack Down! Gabe Campos v. Joel Gitelson

2011-12-17T14:59:00.000-08:00

Forget MMA. Forget Muy Thai! We're talkin' about a tour d' force in terms of Lifeguarding. We're talkin' smack! We're talkin' Towels. In one corner we have veteran LACo OL/Recurrent, Gabe Campos, with his custom designed Beach Lifeguard "Surf Rescue Towel", weighing, in, er, costing $30. In the other corner we have Veteran LACo OLS/Paramedic, Joel Gitelson, with his custom LACo Crossed Oars Beach Towel, costing $27 (instead of the $25 previously advertised... just sayin'...)

And so, you as the reader, will have to judge for yourself which towel is best! Both are the same size. Gabe's towel is screen printed and has the special advantage of allowing one to wrap the towel around one's waist to enable changing of wet lifeguard trunks in the privacy of your tower. Joel's towel is embroidered.

Samples of each towel are shown below. Both are approximately six feet long. Your comments and votes are encouraged. Joel's towels are available at the Southern Section LACOLA Locker. Gabe's towels are nearly sold out with only a couple of remaining towels available. Shipping adds $10. to the otherwise $30 price tag.

Below, the Gabe Campos LACo Lifeguard "Surf Rescue" Beach Towel

Below, the Joel Gitelson LACo Lifeguard Embroidered Beach Towel

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

"IN THE BEGINNING, THE LIFEGUARD", by Cal Porter

2011-12-16T15:26:00.000-08:00

IN THE BEGINNING, THE LIFEGUARD

When I was a kid growing up along the Santa Monica Bay Beaches there were no lifeguard stations or lifeguard towers on the sand anywhere, while today they are lined up in abundance. Why? Because there were no lifeguards. You were on your own when you swam in the Pacific Ocean. It wasn’t because there were very few swimmers back in the early 1920’s. On the contrary the beaches and ocean were crowded with bathers as can be attested to by the photo below.

Venice – Ocean Park Beach in the 1920’s

The beaches were just as busy or even busier back then as they are today. The beach was a close-by recreation destination in the days before more distant travel was not as easy as it is now. Crowds would flock to the beach on the big, red electric streetcars or in the family Model T Ford. Drownings were fairly commonplace. With no lifeguards eighteen swimmers drowned over one weekend in Newport Beach. In 1918 thirteen people drowned in one day off the beach in San Diego. There were lifeguards in those days but they weren’t on the beach, they worked inside the many salt water plunges that dotted the coastline. Sometimes a worried beachgoer who spotted trouble would run and summon these lifeguards to leave their posts and come outside to effect an ocean rescue. By the time this information was communicated it was often too late; ocean rescues have to be made fast. A few beaches had a gong or a bell out on the sand that could be clanged upon, the noise notifying the indoor plunge guards, if they heard it, that there was trouble afoot. Of course there was always a small boy or two who might just clang the bell to set off a bit of action. Then there were some attempts to form unpaid, volunteer lifeguard forces but they weren’t found on many beaches.

Plunge Lifeguards, 1920’s. Several of these guys later became L.A City Beach Lifeguards, two of them are Bink Hedberg and Leo Cronin to the far right.

In 1925 two of the beach cities of Santa Monica Bay finally decided the time had come to protect the swimmers that flocked to the sands by the thousands, and also the tourist dollars that followed. That year Hermosa Beach hired as its first ever paid beach lifeguard, Jim Reinhard, and Venice Beach employed George Wolf as its first lifeguard, a couple of strong, former school team swimmers. The other beach towns would soon follow. All alone that first year, Jim and George had miles of beach to cover, and with primitive equipment, and not even a tower to sit in. George at first worked out of the Venice Plunge while Jim simply walked the Hermosa sands.

George Wolf in 1925

Jim Reinhard in 1925

By the late 1920’s and early 1930’s all the beach towns in the bay realized the need for lifeguard protection and formed their own small crews, but eventually three entities emerged to cover the fifty miles of coastline from San Pedro in the south to the Ventura County line to the north: the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Service, the Los Angeles City Lifeguards and the Santa Monica Lifeguards. Each soon had its own headquarters building but the locations changed through the years and the buildings became more substantial and modern as time went on.

The first Santa Monica Hdqtrs, 1932, at the corner of the now Casa Del Mar Hotel

The first L.A. City Lifeguard Hdqtrs on the Beach at Brooks Ave., Venice, 1927
The first L.A. County Hdqtrs was on the Hermosa Beach Pier, photo early 1940's

The first lifeguard towers, late 1920’s

In the 1970’s the three lifeguard forces finally merged into one: The Los Angeles County Lifeguards, the largest, best equipped and best trained in the world. They protect over seventy miles of beaches twenty-four hours a day, including Catalina Island. Thousands of rescues are made each year; a drowning is a very rare occurrence.

I knew the two 1925, first beach lifeguards, Jim Reinhard and George Wolf quite well. Jim lived near me and passed away a few years ago at the age of ninety-five. I loved hearing the stories they would tell of those early days on the beach. I am wondering now why I never thought to ask them what their wages were as beach lifeguards in 1925. And I wonder if they could top the thirty-five cents an hour I earned as a Venice Plunge Lifeguard at the end of the Great Depression in the late 1930’s, or the huge seventy-five cents per hour I made as a Los Angeles City Beach Lifeguard soon after.

Cal Porter

*** IN THE BEGINNING, THE LIFEGUARD, by Cal Porter. Copyright Cal Porter 2011. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission. All photos courtesy of Cal Porter.

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Many Thanks to Cal for another great story.

We've also said it before and we will keep on saying it: Please submit a story of your own or tell the story of a rescue by a colleague of yours that you witnessed that was something special. We need more content to keep our readership entertained and enlightened. Thank you for your consideration.

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Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

1980's Venice Lifeguards Featured!...

2011-12-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

Wow! LACo Recurrent, Sean Young, recently posted (on our "County Lifeguards And Alumni" Facebook page) a link to a website featuring some great black and white photos of some renowned LACo recurrents in the 1980's. See if you recognize them! Fantastic! Thanks so much, Sean!

http://www.pbase.com/venicepix/image/53606372

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Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News

*** *** ***

Capt. Eugene Attanasio's Winter Workout

2011-12-13T20:39:00.001-08:00

(Above, Capt. Eugene Attanasio just after his winter workout discussed herein, full of vim and vigor.)

Atten Hut!

Second in our series, "Stayin' In Shape", we feature a recent beach workout performed by LACo Capt. Eugene Attanasio this past Saturday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Santa Monica North Tower #8, as follows:

Eugene started out by getting fully submerged in the ocean to test its temperature. Thereafter, he proceeded to do a several tower length soft sand run intermixed with a series of alternating push ups and sit ups. And now that his heart rate was up and his engine was fully engaged, Eugene hit the ocean and did two round trip buoy swims out to the SMN Tower #8 buoy.

This photo below shows Eugene in distance at center of frame at water line just before he began his workout as set forth above.

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Thanks Eugene!

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

p.s. And Eugene's post workout snack is illustrated in the photo below from the squad room at CSHQ. Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries and almonds. Mix it up and chow down.

"Stayin' In Shape" Featuring Tom Thorson

2011-12-11T09:23:00.000-08:00

We are starting a new series of interviews. The theme, "Stayin' in Shape". In this regard, we are going to be auditing our peers, aka, "Recurrents" (as well as former Recurrents, aka "Permanents") and checking out how they stay in shape. We begin this endeavor with Veteran Santa Monica City and LACo Recurrent Beach Lifeguard (Ret.), Tom Thorson, who posted the following remarks about his regular morning kayak paddle on the east coast, with this morning's paddle near his home on Long Island Sound:

"Morning kayaking, around 20 degrees and some ice…"

Additionally, Tom answers the proverbial question, "How Cold Was It?", as follows:

"Funny it was so cold today that while I was paddling the ice was forming on my kayak...when I got out the nose was covered in ice. Ice was about 1/8 of an inch. In some areas it was too thick to break with the nose of the boat."

Needless to say, a very impressive discipline! And check out Tom's sub freezing kayak outfit below, esp. his headgear!

(Photos by & Copyright Tom Thorson 2011. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission.)

Sticker by "JJ I SWAM FOR JJ".

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

A Walk In The Sand: Sat., Dec. 10, 2011

2011-12-10T21:20:00.000-08:00

(Photo by and Copyright Will Maguire 2011. All Rights Reserved.)

Dateline: Saturday, Dec. 10th, 2011 from approximately 1:30 pm - 5 pm. Another minus tide in the late afternoon.

To see more of the beach from Will Rogers Lifeguard HQ to the Santa Monica Pier and back, please check out our Facebook Group page, "County Recurrent".

10-4

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

"Friday Nite Lights At Venice Pier"

2011-12-10T11:40:00.001-08:00

(Photo by and Copyright Will Maguire 2011. All Rights Reserved.)

Dateline: Friday, Dec. 9th, 2011 at approximately 4:30 - 5 pm. A minus tide too!... -0.5 (at 2:59 pm).

Just Outstanding! An Absolutely E P I C sunset!

To see more of these photos of this spectacular evening, check out our Facebook Group page, "County Recurrent" or the "County Lifeguards And Alumni" Facebook group page.

10-4

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

*** *** ***

LACo Lifeguard Promotions!

2011-12-07T08:23:00.000-08:00

(Re: Above Photo Source Info. OK, now here is a Really, Really Great Photo of the Recent LACoFD Promotional Ceremony held on Nov. 30, 2011, courtesy of Amy Meier of the LACoFD. Photo Credit: LACoFD Department photographer Douglas Morrison. 10-4! *** Many Thanks to Amy Meier. *** Now... Does anyone want to 'step up' and name everyone in the photo from Left to Right in both rows?

(Photo above by & Copyright Tim McNulty, Senior 2011. Used here with permission.)

*** Many Thanks to Nick Steers for tracking down "who" got promoted at the recent Nov. 30th, 2011 LACoFD Promotions Ceremony, as follows:

Captain, Lifeguard Services Central Ops.:

Kenichi C. Haskett,

Timothy L. McNulty,

Julio C. Rodriguez,

Adam H. Uehara.

*** Congratulations to each of these great LACo former recurrents who have promoted up the OLS Ladder to Captain! 10-4.

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FYI; Photo Source Info: The above was taken by former L.A. City and LACo Beach Lifeguard, Tim McNulty, Sr. who was on hand at the ceremony to see his son, Capt. Tim McNulty have his Captain's badge pinned on him, on 11.30.11 at LAFD HQ. Young Tim is third from left in front row (and to the immediate left of Chief Frazer.)

*** Many Thanks to Tim McNulty, Sr., as well for forwarding the photo... even if it is a bit out of focus... of this wonderful event! ***

p.s. Note to Tim McNulty Jr.: buy your dad a real camera, please! Woo Hoo! 10-4, copy. :-)

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

"County Recurrent" Presents: A Fall 2011 Photo Smorgasbord!

2011-12-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

Since we've temporarily run out of substantive textual content, we thought that we would strive to excel at least photographically. We think you will be pleased with this virtual photo gallery of lifeguards, the beach, surfboards, paddleboards, etc. et al.

Enjoy!

(All Photos by and Copyright Will Maguire 2011. Used here with permission. Do not reproduce without prior consent.)

(Above, the "Gabe Campos Designer LACo Beach Lifeguard Towel")

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That's all Folks! We hope you have enjoyed this photo gallery! Again, we ask that you please consider contributing a rescue story or the like so that we can share it with our readership. Step up and be counted! Tell the story of a colleague who made a righteous rescue that you witnessed or toot your own horn. Our readership is heading into the holidays and they want to be entertained. It is your duty and obligation to participate in this dialogue and to share your experience with the rest of us. Thank you for your consideration.

10-4

Until next time.....

Will Maguire, Editor
"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

L.A. City #14 Found!

2011-11-26T11:31:00.000-08:00

(Photo Copyright 2011 Will Maguire.)

OK, it wasn't missing! But we found it anyways! It's owned by Surf Line Hawaii and it is now prominently displayed inside the brand spanking new "ocean lifestyle" retail warehouse store of Surf Line Hawaii (x-ref: Jams World), in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Check it out!

It is a "Pete Peterson" paddleboard, circa 1940's (we think). Hopefully, our paddleboard curators will post on this. Tom Volk: What do you think? Cal Porter: Please confirm and tell us a story!

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And last but certainly not least, many, many thanks to "Baby Dave" Rochlen for inviting us to visit him at the Surf Line Hawaii warehouse store. Baby Dave, some of our readers will recall, grew up in Pt. Dume in Malibu and attended SAMOHI, and was a Zuma Recurrent beach lifeguard, who Cal Porter remembers fondly as one of a group of recurrent groms who perfected "the quasimoto" (see below) surfing pose and who Cal clearly remembers casually shooting out of a tube ride one day at Pt. Dume as follows:

"I watched Baby Dave come shooting out of a tubular wave (rare) at Pt Dume one day and shout those famous words, "I've been born", used by many surfers since."
(Copyright 2011 Cal Porter. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission.)

"The Quasimoto". "Baby Dave" Rochlen perfecting the quasimoto in 1964 at Huntington Beach just north of the pier.

(Photo above courtesy of Baby Dave Rochlen. Used here with permission.)

Note the shirt that is on display next to Baby Dave in the above photo taken earlier this month by the undersigned. This is the famed JAMS WORLD lifeguard shirt of some 10 - 15 years ago that features such luminary, celebrated and beloved lifeguards as Cap Watkins, Rudy Kroon, Tom Volk, (Original) Dave Rochlen (Baby Dave's uncle), Matt Kivlin and many others. The front of this shirt bears the signature of original Dave Rochlen, the Santa Monica City Lifeguard who moved to Hawaii and started "Surf Line Hawaii" and is dedicated to his lifeguard pals and features the following remarks: "Those were the Men. They Worked, Played, Lived, Loved and Knew the Ocean like nobody since. Here's to my Heroes..." (Photo Copyright 2011 Will Maguire.)

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Postscript: We just heard from Baby Dave who had some additional remarks about the origin of the "I've been born" utterance. Here goes:

"...in an effort to keep it all honest and straight-I uttered (yelled) out my "I've been born" statement (on another occasion) after being spit out of a super tube at the end of a ride from Malibu's Second Point.

The guy who heard me say that was shooting photos at the point His name was Dick Gustafson and he was Larry Stevenson's Surf Guide Magazine #1 surf photographer. At that time, I rented a studio from Dick's Mom that was located at the top of their home in Santa Monica Canyon on Amalfi Drive. When Dick took the Head Dip I did at Huntington Beach while surfing on the Dewey Weber Surf Team (trying to honor my Hero and Mentor, Micky Munoz) he used the quote he heard at Malibu for the caption of that photo."

Aloha
Dave

Until next time.....

Will Maguire, Editor
"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

*** *** ***

"BETWEEN THE PIERS", by Cal Porter

2011-11-24T08:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Among the things we are thankful for this year are the contributions and stories by Cal Porter. So it is only fitting that we bring to our readership another gem by Cal in celebration of Thanksgiving and in recognition of Cal's generous story telling efforts which celebrate our collective love of the ocean and lifeguarding. Many Thanks to Cal ! 10-4.

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BETWEEN THE PIERS, by Cal Porter

Venice Pier, 1939

I loved that pier, with its Giant Dipper roller coaster, fun house, games of chance, flying circus, salt water taffy and hot dog stands. This was the 1930’s and there were all kinds of ways for a kid to have fun or get into trouble out there. In addition, my buddies and I dove for the pennies, nickels and sometimes dimes that the tourists would throw into the ocean for us off the end of the pier. The water was crystal clear in those days and you could make enough money for a sugary snow cone in half an hour. And then the rock breakwater visible just beyond the end of the pier was always good for a few lobsters when we searched the rocky bottom wearing our primitive water goggles that Santa Monica Lifeguard Bill O’Connor made for us out of fire hose and glass. The tourists on the pier would sometimes pay up to twenty-five cents for one of the tasty crustaceans. However, Fat Frank, a real character who lived under the end of the pier over the rough water in primordial accommodations and had lobster traps strung out all along the rocks was not too fond of us, but lobsters were plentiful in those days. O’Connor’s goggles were a great improvement over the Japanese swimming goggles we had that distorted your vision under water. Later the diving became much easier when home made face plates were invented and we got our first ones around 1939 or 40, about the same time Owen Churchill invented his black, vulcanized rubber swim fins. The pier also helped create some nice board and body surfing waves for us in those uncrowded days. Then in 1939, for thirty-five cents an hour, I landed a job as a lifeguard in the Venice Salt Water Plunge, the building on the sand just north of the pier in the photo where today the skateboard park stands. A couple of years passed and I was old enough to be a Los Angeles City Beach Lifeguard starting at seventy-five cents an hour and working out of the headquarters at the base of the Sunset Pier, the first pier in the photo above, with the Lick Pier, Ocean Park Pier, Crystal Pier, and Santa Monica Pier in the distance. Today the modern County Lifeguard Headquarters building is on the sandy site where the base of the Sunset Pier once stood and where Venice Boulevard meets the beach.

Between the Piers

“Between the Piers” was the title of our home beach, with the Sunset and Venice Piers on either side. “See you tomorrow between the piers” was the usual so long from your Venice High School pals or perhaps a girl you were hoping to spend some time with on the beach. Our hangout on the sand was right about where the paddle tennis courts are on the beach today. In the photo above you can see the attraction for surfers and bodysurfers with the waves peeling off the sandbar buildup from the two piers. The photo shows a big day with waves forming in deep water beyond the end of the very long pier. In an earlier story I recounted the rough and stormy day of the biggest surf I had ever seen in my young life when we sneaked past the police and the safety barricade that had been erected to keep people off the endangered pier. Fortunately fins had been invented by then when my pal and I jumped off the end of the damaged pier and swam another fifty yards or more out to sea to the very deep water where the storm waves were cresting and beginning their march shoreward, one of which carried me through the passage between the piers and all the way to the beach, the biggest wave and longest bodysurfing ride of my life before or after.

Waves far beyond the end of the damaged Venice Pier

The end of the shorter Sunset Pier to the south was a bodysurfing, jumping off place, too, for some really fine, left breaking shoulders. We would watch and wait for a good set of waves while sitting in the hot sun behind the glass windbreak next to the empty bandstand at the end of the pier and then climb the wall for the long drop into the water and a fast ride to the beach only to run back to the end of the pier and do it all over again, and again. Waiting during lulls in the surf action out there we would play a bit of handball or practice our hand balancing stunts on the empty bandstand stage in order to show off later to anyone we could get to watch, maybe even girls.

Toward the late 1930’s board surfing became popular enough between the piers that the lifeguards decided for safety’s sake to designate a surfing only zone and set out a lifeline separating swimmers from the surfers for the first time on any beach in the U.S. and probably in the world. The lifeline is visible above in the photo of my two buddies with me in the middle ripping on a challenging one foot wave.

A sad day for many of us occurred a few years later at midnight on April 20, 1946, when the Venice Pier was ordered to be closed down and demolished. An amusement pier had been on that site, in one reincarnation or another, since 1905. The City of Los Angeles refused to renew the lease on the historic but run down, gritty old amusement pier, thinking the beach town would be better off without the old relic of better days. Dismantling the rides and concessions and taking down the pier was to begin immediately. This was going to be dangerous work on the rickety old pier, with heavy trucking involved and the possibility of injury or some one falling into the ocean. City lifeguards were sent to the pier by Captain Myron Cox to be on the scene in case of a mishap of some sort. Bill Pruitt and I were assigned the duty there together occasionally and had some interesting experiences for another story. Bill later became a captain with the L.A. City Lifeguards. After the Venice Pier came down the Sunset Pier with its lifeguard headquarters was soon to follow.

Today, sixty-five years later

The pier is gone now and at low tide you can walk on the sand all the way to the breakwater where the ocean was once twenty feet deep. The Sunset Pier where the groin is in the photo is gone also, along with all the other amusement piers from here to Santa Monica. But of course it’s very nice now with the wide, white sandy, unobstructed beach that runs for miles and the concessions all along the boardwalk but somehow it’s just not the same. I take a nostalgia walk out there to the breakwater from time to time where Fat Frank lived under the pier, where we dived for pennies and the lobsters were plentiful, and I stop at the lifeguard tower to tell the young guard that long ago his tower would be under the roller coaster and in ten feet of water, and that just over there where the skateboard park is stood the largest indoor salt water plunge in the world where I was a lifeguard. And when I get that look that says, “Where did this old guy escape from?” I know it’s time to move on.

Cal

("Between the Piers" is Copyright 2011 Cal Porter. All Rights Reserved. All photos courtesy of Cal Porter.)

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Wow! Many Thanks to Cal for another Gem of a story! And lest we forget, we again ask our readership to step up and share a story with us. Please consider contributing to our ongoing effort to tell stories to our group.

10-4.

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

"Back In The Day", by Steve Hotchkiss

2011-11-23T13:27:00.000-08:00

Recently, we received some great photos from veteran LACo Recurrent, Steve Hotchkiss, who has the distinction of having swam for Johnny Joseph at SMC "back in the day", not to mention spending several summers on schedule on Santa Monica South in the mid to late 80's. Many Thanks to Steve for sharing these great photos and for his story telling efforts.

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We begin with a couple of Classic group photos of the Santa Monica South Crews from the Summers of 1985 and 1987. These are absolutely Classic! Have a gander and you are sure to see some of your friends and colleagues when they were alot younger than they are now. Go ahead and smile and laugh. We did and still are. Enjoy!

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And here are three photos from Steve's time at SMC swimming for JJ (x-ref: JJ I SWAM FOR JJ):

Above, SMC 4 x 100 Free Relay Team, SMC vs. Ventura Dual Meet, 1983
Left to Right:
Matt Cardenes-Don't know where he went
Danny Kleiser-LA County lifeguard recurrent (Ret.), now with LA City Fire as an AO.
Fernando Boiteux -LA County Lifeguard Northern Section Chief
Steve Hotchkiss- LA County Lifeguard recurrent, Landscape Contractor

From: Steve Hotchkiss
Subject: Re: 1983 SMC vs. Ventura
Date: November 22, 2011
To: Will Maguire

"Hello Will,

This photo is from the 1983 SMC vs. Ventura dual meet. Coach Joseph (JJ) had gone undefeated in dual meets for something like 13 years, or at least this is what it seemed like since as you know JJ is a God. As a result of this winning record each dual meet had more and more pressure on it to keep winning. We didn't want to break the chain, or let JJ down. The meet came down to the final event which was the mens 4x100 relay. I was fortunate enough to be chosen to swim this event with the other 3 swimmers. Matt Cardenes (left) was our fastest 100 free guy on the team. However, I think Danny Kleiser had the best time that day and Fernando as always was solid. Our relay ended up 1st, we won the meet by 1 point, and held on to the winning record.

As a surprise for JJ at this meet we all brought dress clothes to change into after the meet. He was very surprised to see us all walking out of the locker rooms dressed far above our normal standard of orange team sweats. We went to a steak house for dinner and all had a great time.

It meant a a lot to me to be part of that day and having JJ feel I was worthy to be on that relay team. I don't know if this day stands out to other people on the team since many of them had been swimming for 10+ years and for all I know it was just another meet to them. However, I'm sure many of them still remember the day. I'm not living in the past, but here I am over 25 years later with that day etched in my memory. I am very thankful to have been a part of the team and to have been coached by JJ.

Steve Hotchkiss

SMC Womens team 1983 at Ventura meet, below

1983 SMC swim team at Ventura meet, below

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10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

"County Recurrent" Presents: Rumor and Innuendo

2011-11-09T12:31:00.000-08:00

Today we share with our readership several stories that have found their way to our editorial staff this past couple of weeks, in no particular order, but all referencing recurrent lifeguards, past and present, engaged in various pursuits out there in the world.

So here goes:

1. Rumor has it that retired L.A. City recurrent beach lifeguard (Venice, Dockweiler, Will Rogers), Bill Kendall ('48 - '53) recently was cleaning out the family deep freeze at home and found a (frozen) abalone he had snagged while diving back in November 1974! Always an adventurer, Bill let it defrost overnite and then pounded it some and cooked it up. His son Mark reports that his dad, Bill, said (about it): "Trimmed and pounded it today . Cooked and ate it tonite. A little tough. I'll pound the next one longer. Still alive! Good but not as good fresh. 37 years in the freezer! It's probably a record and a tribute to non frost free freezers !"

Way to go, Bill! "A little tough?"... ya think!? :-) Abalone and fish fry at the Kendall's this Friday! :-)

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2. Professional Lifeguard Foundation (aka, PLF) Co-Founder, Paul Silka, MD, recommends the New York Times Bestseller novel, THE HUNGER GAMES, by Suzanne Collins (see photo below). No word back from Dr. Silka on whether or not the PLF will be sponsoring a "PLF Book Club" as yet, however...

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3. Per LACOLA, the Dept.'s new seniority list is now posted online on the password protected LACOLA.org website. Check it out. And speaking of the new seniority list, have you ever wondered who is Number One On The List?!... Well, look no further, folks, because here he is below, shown hard at work this past Sat., Nov. 5th, at SMS Tower #20 alongside Capt. Eugene Attanasio, at left. Who is he? None other than Veteran LACo Recurrent Beach Lifeguard, George Hale (at right in the photo below), who this past summer worked on schedule on Santa Monica North. 10-4, George.

And below, a close up of George, in a photo from the SMN Summer 2011 Beach Crew Party

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4. Recently, we conducted a quiz which LACo Recurrent (Ret.), Terry Flanagan answered correctly... naming Cap Watkins as the lifeguard piloting the boat in the classic b/w photo below from way back in the day. This photo is on display and framed prominently at The OP Cafe, owned by LACo Recurrent (Ret.), Mark Verge, on Ocean Park Blvd. at 31st. St., in Santa Monica, Calif.

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4. The answer is YES if you wonder whether beach patrons and fans of the Baywatch tv series still ask to have their photos taken with our lifeguards. Just ask LACo OLS, David Carter, shown below at the Venice Breakwater this past Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011.

5. Recently, "County Recurrent" lobbed the idea for a "Beat The Chief" swim around the Venice Pier on Thanksgiving morning but Chief Frazer, as it turns out, is nursing a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder. So we put out an APB for any other Chief up to the challenge and could not find any available..... so the swim is off and Chad Carvin will have to pay for his own coffee and donut after all... We were thinking of maybe a "Beat The Captain" swim around the pier but it just doesn't have the same ring to it and why bother anyways?!... besides there are too many Captains that are still in really good swimming shape and whole idea of the concept was to cherry pick the Chief and have him pony up for coffee and donuts or muffins for the lifeguards that beat him around the pier. So it's a no go. We will try to organize this at some point in the future. Stay tuned. As an aside, Chief Burnside accepted our challenge but insisted that the swim take place in December in Utah in the snow. We cannot publish the photo exemplar of this undertaking, however.

6. Last but not least, below is famed LACo Public Defender and even more famous as a Veteran LACo Zuma Recurrent lifeguard, namely, Steve Fisher, shown on foot patrol at Zuma on a beautiful Saturday this past September...

We could share more lifeguard news but it's lunch time...

10-4

All Photos by & Copyright Will Maguire. All Rights Reserved.

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Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

The Los Angeles County Policy of Equity

2011-11-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

(Image source: http://bos.co.la.ca.us/ceop.html)

The Los Angeles County Policy of Equity reflects and builds upon our MISSION, VISION, and VALUES, which each employee is responsible for demonstrating in both actions and words.

The values of INTEGRITY AND RESPECT lie at the heart of our Policy of Equity. All employees are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the Policy and all applicable local, county, state, and federal laws.

The purpose of this Policy is intended to preserve the dignity and professionalism of the workplace.....

http://bos.co.la.ca.us/ceop.html

*** Note: The entire Policy of Equity can be downloaded from the internet as a pdf. Just conduct a Google search of "Los Angeles County Policy of Equity".

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10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

A "Story" of a "Dory", by Conrad Liberty

2011-11-04T16:34:00.000-07:00

(Above photo shows the very same dory discussed in the story below. Photo by Will Maguire.)

Just in from Marla Liberty who just found this amongst Conrad's writings (Conrad Liberty, R.I.P.). A bit more about the dory we heard about in our interview of Conrad this past September.

A "Story " of a "Dory"

Once upon a time, about 30 years ago, a man named Tom Moore, came into the Lifeguards HQ at Santa Monica. He was a script coordinator for the movie business and an ex-lifeguard. He asked if anyone was interested in a "Peterson" Dory. His interest was to divest himself of the 23 foot Double-ender, but to someone who would truly appreciate it. I readily volunteered when he made a proposal for remuneration for the Dory.

A couple of years later, more or less, the refitting of the old Dory began. One of our oldest and most proficient Boat Captains magnanimously assisted in removing the old gunwales and replacing them with a very hard tropical wood called appitong. It was so hard that even wetting down the gunwale numerous times had little effect. Eventually Capt. Ed Perry figured it out, for he had used the same wood on his Peterson Dory. Ed also installed end caps on the rejuvenated craft. In order to facilitate the use of the Dory by many different people, he suggested, and installed a 2 X 4 that looked like a keel for the craft. The holes drilled through the side of the 2 X 4 were spaced evenly to allow the stretchers to be moved for various sized individuals.

Ed Perry was a great asset to the Lifeguard Service as a boat skipper and Lifeguard. Use of the boat was guaranteed for his lifetime. Since he already had a boat he didn't need to use the Phoenix he had so ably repaired until his boat had served its term at sea. He spent a few years rowing it with many different partners.

Captain Steve Saylors painted the boat after I had rented it out to a movie company for the production of "North & South", a Civil War epic mini series with Patrick Swayzee. The boat was used in a river crossing scene, during the Civil War. It was painted "Gray". The movie company agreed to pay for it to be re-painted to it's original white color.

Another participant in the first refurbishment of the Dory was Eddie Love, sanding and scraping and other menial works of labor were appreciated. At the same time Eric Liberty, at about 6 years old, enjoyed being around all the activity, on what would have seemed to him to be the "Titanic".

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Many thanks to Marla and her family for allowing us the privilege to publish this story by Conrad and share it with our lifeguard family.

*** Again we challenge our readership, esp. those of you who have a story that would be enjoyed by all of us, to step up and contribute to this collection. You retain all rights and we even give you credit! We will even type it up, do the lay out and hit the "Publish Post" button! Bring 'em on!

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Just Another Rescue??

2011-11-02T15:29:00.000-07:00

If you were wondering when we were going to publish another Cal Porter story, wonder no more! Here is a great rescue story! Enjoy!

JUST ANOTHER RESCUE??

It was the summer of 1952, maybe 1953. I had finished the County Lifeguard night shift at Zuma Beach, and after breakfast at home I headed for the private beach at Malibu Colony where I would give swimming lessons and then lifeguard there for the day. The gate-guarded Colony was a pleasant place to work, teaching eager kids to swim, watching over them in the ocean, and organizing activities for them, volleyball, sand games, water sports. And then, as a bonus, there was always the occasional movie star that would stop by to sit and chat. This particular day was much like any other day there, sunny and warm, a good day for swimming. The surf had increased a bit from previous days, but nothing at all treacherous. Of course there was the occasional rescue to be made here on this beach, usually a child whose bravery outstripped his swimming ability; nothing on the order of the churning, rip tide rescues of Zuma Beach. The lifeguard sat on the sand or on a beach chair, and under an umbrella if needed, much like any other beach goer on this very private stretch of sand. And it wasn’t unusual around noon time to welcome an offer from a nice resident of a gourmet sandwich and a cold drink of some kind for lunch break, usually served by the maid, of course. A most pleasant place to work.

The Colony

There was only one doctor in Malibu in those days, almost sixty years ago. Most people traveled to Santa Monica or Los Angeles for medical or dental care. Doctor Peter Salisbury lived in the Colony and his office was nearby. He would take any patients who came to him with their usual great variety of complaints but he was mainly a medical research genius and cardiologist, but he turned no one away. The doctor would often take a short mid-morning workout swim, never venturing far from shore or overestimating his swimming capabilities. But this day was going to be different, he had his eye on those rocks protruding from the sea some distance out, beckoning to him to give it a try. It wasn’t really a long swim but I had never seen him attempt to swim that far out before. Locals referred to these rocks as “Old Joe’s” named for a long time surfer and resident of the Colony. I frequently visited the rocks myself in the early morning hours where I would dive down to a couple of my favorite, narrow caves on the ocean floor to pick up a lobster or two for a family dinner or to deliver to a resident who had requested the tasty crustaceans. But the doctor never came close to swimming that far, but now there he was, on his way. I watched him carefully since the surf was picking up considerably after he managed to swim out there during a lull. He never reached the rocks. Somewhat short of that destination he turned back towards shore starting to look tired, and now I was up and on my way. You don’t want to embarrass a swimmer who doesn’t need your help but he was going to need help. When I reached him the doc was in panic mode, tired, dog paddling and flailing about in an attempt to keep his head above water. I got to him with the rescue float and hung onto him while he calmed down and caught his breath, and then I told him to hold on to the ropes as tight as he could while I towed him back through the breaking surf to the beach. He sat on the dry sand for some time resting, then I walked with him back toward the houses where he said he thought he could make it home from there. He had said very little that day but the next day he appeared at my lifeguard post, said thank you, and handed me twenty-five dollars (about two or three hundred in today’s money). I explained that I couldn’t accept the money, that I was paid as a lifeguard to do the job. He said something to the effect that I would have to throw it in the ocean then because he was not taking it back. He turned and headed back toward the houses. Okay, just another routine rescue, nothing spectacular, end of story. Or was it?

From the arrow to the rocks, the attempted swim.

Now the rest of the story. It is sixty years later, and the year is 2011. On the computer’s “Facebook” the doctor’s daughter, Ann, who was a tiny girl at the time of the rescue, inserted an old photo of her father taken on the beach about that time. By accident I ran across the photo, and then below, where comments can be made, I briefly mentioned that I had one time brought him back to the beach when he swam out too far. Well that started it. Her first and immediate comment back to me after she read my statement was as follows:

“WOWWOWWOWWOWWOWWOW!”. Six Wows. She knew all about the rescue but she was very young at the time and always wondered but never knew who the lifeguard was during all those ensuing years. We began to comment back and forth on Facebook at some length for many days about the incident, and then I made another contact with her to see if it would be alright if I used actual names and some of her quotes in this little story, instead of just paraphrasing, which would then allow me to proceed with the following to go along with the six “wows”. Of course, Ann said.

“I cannot tell you how wonderful it feels to connect with the man who saved my dad. I know for a fact that he could not have made it back to shore without you”. “This touches my heart, Cal. If it weren’t for you, I might not have had my dad with me until he died when I was sixteen”. “He had invented the artificial heart-lung and artificial kidney machines. So you didn’t just save the life of one man or one father, but probably hundreds of thousands of others whose lives are being prolonged today via dialysis. Cal, thanks from the bottom of my heart”.

How does that make an ancient, eighty-seven year old lifeguard feel? Hey, not too bad!

Cal Porter

---

"Just Another Rescue", by Cal Porter. Copyright Cal Porter 2011. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission. Photos courtesy of Cal Porter.

Many Thanks to Cal for continuing to share wonderful stories for all of us to enjoy! And we still want to tell other guards rescue stories, so bring 'em on !

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

*** *** ***

It's A Whole New Seniority List!

2011-11-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

(Will Rogers Lifeguard HQ, Nov. 2, 2011. Photo by & Copyright Will Maguire 2011.)

Head's up, LACo Recurrents! The New Seniority List is out for 2011 - 2012!

To find out your new #, sign in to Telestaff and make yourself available for today and then click on 'picklist' for your new number. Then go back to calendar and 'remove' your availability if you are not planning on working today.

10-4.

"County Recurrent" News

How John Baker and Mike Stevenson Saved A Young Kip Jerger at Rincon

2011-10-31T19:55:00.001-07:00

(Image Source: http://www.flyaboveall.com/pacon.jpg)

Trick or treat?

Well how about a Treat! Check this out! The readership may recall a recent interview of LACo Veteran Recurrent, Kip Jerger, by Adam Sandler (see below).

x-ref:

"Q&A With Kip Jerger", by Adam Sandler

http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2011/09/q-with-kip-jerger-by-adam-sandler.html

In this interview Kip mentions being rescued at Rincon by a couple other total stud veteran LACo recurrents and life long surfers and paddlers, namely, Mike Stevenson and John Baker.

Well get this!?!!! Adam just heard back from Baker about that day and what he recalled. So here you have it, Folks! Here's your Halloween Treat! We are going to simply copy and paste Adam's email here for consistency and attribution's sake. And please be advised that Kip encouraged us to speak with John and Mike about this rescue of theirs in order to give us all a greater appreciation of the dangers inherent to surfing in large surf and exiting over man made rock walls.

From: Adam Sandler
Subject: How John Baker Saved A Young Kip Jerger at Rincon
Date: October 31, 2011 5:27:16 PM PDT
To: Will Maguire

Will:

Recall that in Kip Jerger's Q&A, Kip credited John Baker and Mike Stevenson with rescuing him at Rincon during a day with huge waves? Well, I asked John Baker to recall the incident:

"Yes, the story is true," says retired OLS John Baker. "It's been a long time now, maybe 35-40 years ago, so in trying to remember it is a little fuzzy. Mike and I were at Rincon and the surf was huge -- solid 6-8 foot backs with a few bigger sets. Back then, you parked on the highway and could watch the surfing from your car. I remember it being pretty crowded. As we watched these huge sets pouring through the point, one of us happened to notice a surfer attempting to exit the water by climbing over the rocks/seawall that protected the highway. This was about a quarter of a mile south of the point. Well, the tide was very high, and together with these giant waves, there was a huge backwash off the rocks. We watched this guy make several attempts to get out, and we could tell he was in serious trouble. It was just suicide trying to get over the rocks. Being the lifeguards that we were, we both knew we had to help this guy if we could. We had no idea who it was; it was just someone in distress. Mike said to jump in and he drove my van. As we got down to where this surfer was, we could see the current was moving like a river along the seawall. This was making any rescue attempt that much harder. I could see his board had already been broken in half. I climbed down the rocks and yelled to him to watch for my signal to come in. Luckily, there was a pretty long lull and I waved for him to hurry in. He was pretty exhausted when I grabbed his hand and we scampered up the rocks. We drove him back to Rincon, and only then we realized it was a bloody and bruised Kip Jerger."

---

Source material; Re: Rincon Photo:

FLY ABOVE ALL

"From Bates to Ventura"

http://www.flyaboveall.com/psbates.htm

*** *** ***

Wow! Thanks very much to both John Baker and Adam Sandler for sharing their remarks with all of us!

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

*** OPT IN *** Just send us an email and we will add you to the list.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Conrad Liberty Memorial Service & Reception: Oct. 30, 2011

2011-10-30T20:51:00.000-07:00

What a turn-out! 200 plus friends and family of Conrad Liberty. A wonderful reflection of the affinity and respect with which Conrad was held by so many. We hope those of you who were not able to make it will get a sense of what took place yesterday as we all gathered to celebrate the amazing life of Conrad Liberty.

And just in from Marla Liberty and her family: "Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to put this even together. Our family thought it was very well done, and exceeded our expectations. Thanks for a great turn-out and a job well done."

And from veteran LACo OLS (Ret.), John Thomas: "I HAVE TO SAY, IT WAS THE MOST TOUCHING AND INSPIRING SEND OFF I'VE ATTENDED. THE FLY-OVER, PLUS TAPS PLAYED BY THE LONG BUGLER FOLLOWED BY AMAZING GRACE WITH THE BAYWATCH UNITS FLARING OUT TO THE OPEN SEA IN THE MISSING MAN FORMATION WAS A HOME RUN.... A TOUCHING AND FITTING SEND OFF FOR OUR OLD FRIEND AND COMRADE..... IT WAS THE BEST EVER......"

Conrad Liberty: Rest In Peace

2011-10-28T12:07:00.000-07:00

*** Please see our October 18, 2011 memorial blog post for our full coverage at: ***

http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2011/10/conrad-liberty-rest-in-peace.html

Respectfully,

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

*** *** ***

"Ben Stein: Ocean Park Plunge Life Guard", by Barry Stein

2011-10-22T21:47:00.000-07:00

Just in from Palisades resident and photographer (and childhood resident of Ocean Park beach, aka, Santa Monica South), Barry Stein (aka, The Mayor). Ben Stein was Barry's dad and before he became a Santa Monica policeman he was a life guard at the Ocean Park Plunge and the Venice Plunge in the 1930's where he and his colleagues also made rescues in the ocean. The enclosure above features some undated newspaper clippings from this time period when Ben was a life guard and features stories of some rescues in the ocean during high surf and rip currents. Here are excerpts from two of these articles:

Excerpt from "4 ARE SAVED FROM SEA BY LIFE GUARDS".

"... Three visitors, two men and a woman, were swept among the piling(s) of Lick pier yesterday afternoon and were rescued by Municipal Guard Sumner and Ocean Park Plunge Guard Stein."

Excerpt from "Girl Rescued In High Seas Here".

"Rescued from a high tide in the surf in a totally exhausted condition, Miss Mildred Scerber, 17 years old, living at 1440 Second street, Santa Monica, had a narrow escape from death here yesterday due to the prompt and valorous action of Municipal Life Guard Staines, assisted by Municipal Guard Carroll and Venice Plunge Guard Stein.

Per Barry: "I have no idea the date of the articles. As noted to Will, these were the ones that did not fall apart, dates might have been on other articles. My dad was born 1910, my sister was born 1934. I just don't know if he was a life guard early in (my parent's) marriage. I just remember him as being a policeman.

(These articles feature) my Dad, Ben Stein. I'm getting stuff for my nieces and just touching the old print a dozen or so just fell apart. I'm sure the articles are from the 30's. He was raised in Ocean Park and I knew he did some lifeguarding, but also a policeman in Santa Monica 1935-1945. As a little boy I remember meeting Myron Cox, Pete Peterson, Fred Wadley, Bob Butts [these are the names I remember today] on a regular basis. I used to get rides on a lifeguard boat. It was probably Tommy Zahn running it. I met Tommy in 1986, I never thought of asking him if he knew my father. Others [names] are long forgotten.

Going to the movies, and especially if there were any water stunts, I knew most by name because at that time the industry used lifeguards.

We moved from 121 1/2 Surf St. [one of the streets that was eliminated with the development of the towers] in the late 40's to the city. But I spent many a summer with my grandparents who lived on Raymond and with the Lakin family who lived on Hart. (Some of) you might know or remember Marty Lakin. Tommy Zahn lifeguarded with him... poor guy would have to take me to the beach. We'd go to State Beach/Tower 18, only rules were come back in four hours.

I sure didn't know that it was something special, but I did have fun."

---

Many thanks to Barry Stein for sharing these great news clippings with all of us!

Note: Barry Stein's remarks are Copyright H. Barry Stein 2011. All Right Reserved. Used here with permission.

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Conrad Liberty, Rest In Peace

2011-10-18T08:20:00.001-07:00

("Conrad Liberty 1942-2011". Copyright Norton Wisdom 2011. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission.)

Conrad Liberty: May 17, 1942 - October 17, 2011

WE lost one of our generations' most extraordinary lifeguards yesterday afternoon at approximately 5 pm (Monday, Oct. 17, 2011). Conrad is up there on our Mt. Rushmore in terms of his leadership and the respect that his colleagues had for him as a beach lifeguard. Conrad is one of the "good guys". In fact, he heads the list.

The date of the memorial service for Conrad will be Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 10 a.m. The location of the memorial service will be at "Venice North" at the Breakwater which was Conrad's favorite place to work and which he told us in our interview with him this past month.

(Official Conrad Liberty Memorial Service Announcement. Produced by Richard Mark. Courtesy of the Liberty Family.)

Heads up, Lifeguards! Please note the following addendum regarding our encouragement that you B.Y.O. Beach Chair as we will be establishing a "beach chair section" at the memorial service.

Additionally, all guests are invited to show up early at 9:30 a.m. to join us for "Coffee & Donuts", a Conrad Liberty tradition and tribute.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Conrad's family and to our lifeguard family. We've lost a mountain of a man, yet one who will always be with us in spirit. We are all blessed for having known him and shared in his friendship.

Conrad is now out of pain and no longer suffering and has taken, as stated by Harold Dunnigan, "the big body surf to the beyond". We shall miss him dearly.

God bless you, Conrad Liberty.

---

Photo Tribute To Conrad Follows:

(All Photos by Will Maguire, unless otherwise indicated. Please do not reproduce without consent).

We encourage Conrad's friends and colleagues to send us a story about Conrad or post same as a "Comment" to this blog post for those who care to do so.

10-4

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

*** *** ***

PLF15: October 15, 2011

2011-10-16T20:57:00.000-07:00

The Professional Lifeguard Assn. celebrated its 15th Anniversary last nite at "The Hideout" in Santa Monica Canyon and awarded its "Life Achievement Award" to Veteran LACo Recurrent, Michael O'Donnell, Phd. What an incredible and inclusive event hosted by its Co-Founder, Paul Silka, MD. Southern Section Recurrents turned out in force to celebrate to witness and acknowledge Dr. Mike.

Here are some of the photos, plus a video (see below) of this memorable event hosted, produced and sponsored by LACo Recurrents. Many Thanks as well to LACo Recurrent (Ret.), Mark Verge, the owner of "The Hideout".

Enjoy!

*** PLF15: The Video ***

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nq3i5foVXc

-----

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD or the PLF.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Day Two, October Heat Wave

2011-10-13T16:12:00.001-07:00

Dateline: Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011
Location: Santa Monica South
SPF: 75 or Above
Air Temp: Over Eighty Easy!

File under: Epic Beach Weather/Woo Hoo!...

Below, Veteran LACo OL, George Akopyan, "in the house"!... at SMS Tower #20

Akopyan in the Fisheye...

Below, it was so nice at the beach that even the LAPD Helicopter showed up.....

Hi Rebecca! Below, on the ramp and watching the water at SMS T-26 is LACo OLS Rebecca Gilman

Below, an odd pairing of undies and a bottle of Martinelli's apple cider buried to the hilt.... there's gotta be a story there somewhere but we're not gonna' go there today... just sayin'.....

Below, Bay St. Local since the 60's, David Franklin, returning to shore after his morning surf session. That's Dave's bitchin' '49 Ford Woodie in the two photos above too! Cowabunga!

Below, OL Akopyan watching the water with his binos at SMS T-20. 10-4!

Below, in the following three (3) photos, "The Pennington's Go Surfing!"... featuring husband and wife surfing lifeguards, OLS, Matthew Pennington (at left) and OL, Elizabeth Pennington (at right)

Below, a flock of seagulls facing south... in some sort of recognition of something we're not quite sure of but let's hope it's a swell...

10-4

(All photos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2011. All Rights Reserved.)

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

October HEAT WAVE!, by Todd "Tex" Double Shaka Ribera

2011-10-13T09:02:00.000-07:00

(Photo by Will Maguire.)

(Photo by & Copyright Todd "Tex" Ribera 2011. )

Per Double Shaka; Photo above from Oct. 12, 2011: "Offshore winds today and temperatures are rising! This is why our fall/winter months can be warmer than our summer months. And why we can wear bikinis and beachwear most of the year!

Mention "Santa Ana's" and receive 20% off swimwear! Expires 10-14-11"
http://www.facebook.com/doubleshakaboutique

"Double Shaka" Locations:

Flagship store: 1740 Ocean Park Blvd # A,Santa Monica, CA, 90405; Phone 310-452-7425

Venice Beach store: 1501 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291 (310) 392-7425

---

Wow! How HOT was it yesterday? According to Todd "Tex" Ribera, LACo OLS, it was "‎87 degrees at the beach in Santa Monica! July and August were not even this warm at the beach!"

In W.L.A. at the weekday offices of "County Recurrent" it was absolutely SCORCHING!

HOW HOT WAS IT?! You could not sit outside without shielding your eyes from the solar rays sneaking inside the top of your sunglass frames in the late afternoon! Five minutes and you would reach your Vitamin D quota! SPF 100 Hot!

Today is definitely a beach day. Voice mail select, check !

10-4

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

(Will Rogers Lifeguard HQ, Oct. 12, 2011. Photo by Will Maguire.)

*** *** ***

Remember: Bring The Flag In Too!...

2011-10-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

Not sayin' who did this or when or where..... but ALWAYS, ALWAYS look back and up at the tower as you are leaving for the day/nite..... Just sayin'...

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

No Lifeguard Rookie Swim Test For 2011!

2011-10-09T10:57:00.000-07:00

Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011

I. First, THE BAD NEWS

Per WatchTheWater.org

10/7/2011 NO Lifeguard Rookie Swim test for 2011. It is with regret that the Lifeguard Division must announce that any plans for a 2011 swim test are canceled. If our budget for the Training Academy is restored for 2012/13, all of our efforts will be directed to a full Ocean Lifeguard Academy swim test in the fall of 2012.

http://watchthewater.org/announcements.cfm#1962

II. THE GOOD NEWS

Don't completely lose hope!

Per the Lifeguard Recruitment Web Page:

"...Possible swim test will be announced during the Summer of 2012."

http://watchthewater.org/recruitment/

-----------------------------
-----------------------------

Editor's note: if you do not shrewdly and regularly scrutinize the fine print of multiple websites, you would miss this vital information that otherwise does not get promoted on more visible platforms, e.g., Facebook, email, etc.

Editor's additional note: This drought of rookie test opportunities will surely pass. Hang in there. Keep swimming, keep running, keep paddling, keep surfing. Heck, get a job at a fast food joint if you have to.... it's good character building. If you've got the resources, go to Paramedic school. There are always options. Call one of our trusted "County Recurrent" *Broprofessionals who will brainstorm with you and help you stay motivated. The point is: stay the course, increase your opportunities. AND stay in shape! 10-4.

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

Legend: *Brofessional(a) defined/edited:

a professional bro. This is a person who excels at all things: i.e. socializing, dancing, talking to the opposite sex, getting out of situations, etc. X-Ref/Example: Hubbell (and son), Eldin, Kip, Lane (Murphy), Mike Murphy (and his entire family), Bonann, Pearlman (all firefighters qualify, obviously), Verge (all of them), Jay Butki, Steve Moseley, Scott Davey, Dan Atkins, all of the Domans!, McConnel (charter member), both Thomas brothers, Flanagan, Spyder (MST), George Merritt, Dick Orr, Dunnigan, Jake, Baker, AAA, Bruce Morgan (aka, the Goodwill Ambaddador of SMN), Campos (all of them), CLARKE!, Howard Lee, Grigsy, Baltz, Riddle, O'Donnell (all), Cunningham, Stevenson (all), Crum (all), Peoples, Hotchkiss, Wilkins, Olson (all), Daniels, Greger (all), Greg Lee (this is a unanimous choice), Johnnie Johnson, Mattox, Pfeifer, Porter, Burnside, all of the Heinrichs' (duh!), BJ, Rosie (and son!), Liberty (all of them!), Shannon Davey, Chris Linkletter, Libby, Hudson-Murray (and her husband!), Steinmetz, Beattie (Bill, of course; and Lacey clearly has the potential...), all of the Graners, Thorson (who drew all the charts and graphs for the book on the subject), Greg Jackson (wrote the book on it), Oppliger (co-author, spell checked for Jackson too), Asturias, Overmire, Neville (for sure!), Willey (who taught these skills to numerous proteges), VOLK!, Rudy Kroon (preached it), Bob Chambers, Spitler, Fisher, Powers, DeGregori, Matthies (all), K.C. Cooper (wrote the book before it was written), Rohrer for sure, Kenny Atkins (obviously!), Matty and a whole bunch of other Cabrillo guards (note: not intended to be a comprehensive list).

**** not to be confused with other guards who just stepped in it and could not get themselves out of "it" with a backhoe.....

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Paddle Out for "Corny Cole"!

2011-10-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

(Photo by & Copyright Tom McBride. Image source: http://www.cartoonbrew.com/animators/remembering-corny-cole.html)

Just in from Harold Dunnigan:

"Peter's brother, Corny Cole, passed away recently.

On Saturday, October 9th, at 1030 hrs, at State Beach (Tower #18), there will be a celebration of Corny's life."

(Editor's Note/FYI: State Beach = Will Rogers State Beach, Tower #18, at Santa Monica Canyon, at 10:30 a.m.)

---

Some background on Corny, who according to Bob Burnside, was for several years an L.A. City Beach Lifeguard (along with his brother, Peter), and according to Cal Porter, "Corny was a Santa Monica Lifeguard along with brother Peter and Buzzy Trent in the late 40's." Corny was a life long surfer, paddler, oceanman, and also a very famous animator. Many thanks to Larry Loganbill for the following linked articles about Corny's animation background. Per Larry: "I think most people knew of Peter Cole's surfing brothers...but few knew about Corny's animation genius."

1. http://cheekyentertainment.blogspot.com/2006/08/hanging-ten-with-corny-cole.html

2. http://calarts.edu/news/2011-aug-9/calarts-remembers-cornelius-corny-cole

A scholarship fund has been established in honor of Corny's extraordinary educational legacy to benefit animation students in the School of Film/Video.

Memorial gifts may be made online (note "Corny Cole Scholarship" in the special instructions box) or may be sent to:

The Corny Cole Endowed Scholarship Fund
Office of Advancement
CalArts
24700 McBean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355

Editor's note: The photo at the top above is from a memorial blog post at:
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/animators/remembering-corny-cole.html

Said photo was taken by Tom McBride who shot a great many photos of his surf buddies and the characters around Malibu in the 1950's and 1960's. Other photos by Tom can be seen at: http://atomicbride.com/tgraph.html

Last but not least, please be sure to check out Cal Porter's tribute and short story honoring his surfing buddy and lifeguard pal, Corny Cole, at the following link:

"A Day With Corny Cole"
http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-post.html

---

*** For those of you who knew Corny personally and want to share a story, please email the undersigned or post your remarks as a comment at the end of this blog post. Thanks!

10-4

Will Maguire, Editor
"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

"A Day With Corny Cole", by Cal Porter

2011-10-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

As a tribute to his surfing buddy and lifeguard pal "back in the day", Cal Porter has written the following short story about an epic day of surfing at Malibu in 1948! So sit back and enjoy this rare and wonderful story.

---

"A Day With Corny Cole"

Malibu Surfrider, 1948. Photo Courtesy & Copyright Cal Porter.

One day not long ago Corny Cole and I were gazing at this photo that is blown up and framed hanging on my wall. We reminisced about that day in 1948 when the six of us decided to all get on the same wave and have a girl we knew on the beach take our picture. The camera was mine, and from the looks of the photo it must have been a cheap one. If you can believe it, we were the only ones in the water on a pretty good day of surf at Malibu, but that’s the way it was back then. In the early morning five of us had jumped into Corny and Peter Coles’ 1930’s open air Packard Phaeton automobile to make the trek to Malibu from Santa Monica. There were Buzzy Trent and Don McMahon, who were Santa Monica Lifeguards, Peter and Corny, who were just 17 and would be lifeguards in another year, and myself, a Los Angeles County Lifeguard. We met up with friend, Kit Horn, who joined us on the wave. Corny’s memory was better than mine and he said Peter was the first on the right, Buzzy was the fifth, I was the skinny guy third from right, and he thought he was number six. Surf legend, Bob Simmons, joined us in the water later, and Corny said we visited with surf greats, Matt Kivlin and Joe Quigg who were on the beach that day. Corny recalled that he, Peter and Buzzy were all riding Simmons boards while I was on my old Pacific Systems balsa redwood. What a great day that was with a bunch of great guys.

This isn’t exactly Corny’s Packard, but if you put a few dents on it, dirtied it up quite a bit and stuck in five or six surfboards angling skyward this is what it looked like. Photo courtesy of Cal Porter.

Cal Porter

---

Copyright Cal Porter 2011. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission. Please do not reproduce without permission of Cal Porter.

*** Many Thanks to Cal for sharing this wonderful story and tribute to Corny Cole.

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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October Rain!

2011-10-06T13:32:00.001-07:00

A strong rain storm fell on Los Angeles yesterday, Wed., Oct. 5, 2011, dumping over an inch of rain. Warnings quickly followed to stay out of the ocean until the weekend due to the storm runoff. Here are a few photos along PCH during the rain...

10-4

"County Recurrent" News

*** *** ***

October Sunshine!

2011-10-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

(Sunset infused skyline over Los Angeles, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011)

Well, October 2011, started with sunshine! Big Time! Just spectacular weather at our L.A. County beaches and our recurrent staff was NOT disappointed and neither were the beach patrons. Have a look at some of the photos we captures this past weekend... which will hopefully satisfy your beach cravings, esp. if we get two inches of rain this Wednesday, Oct. 5th as is being predicted.....

Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011: Manhattan Beach:

Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011: Santa Monica South, Tower #26:

Sunday Evening, Oct. 2, 2011: Catalina in the distance...

---

All Photos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2011. Used here with permission.

-----

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News

http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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This Week In Photos: Sept. 25 - 30th, 2011

2011-09-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

(Will Rogers Tower #8, Sunday afternoon, Sept. 25th)

(Gateway to Venice Beach at Westminster, Sunday morning, Sept. 25th)

(Sunday evening at sunset, Sept. 25th, from El Medio Bluffs above Will Rogers Tower #7, with view toward Pt. Dume; followed by Clouds close up, below).

(Permitted Group at Will Rogers Tower #5 engaged in some type of 'baptismal' ceremony, late Sunday afternoon, Sept. 25th)

(WRHQ, Monday, Sept. 25th)

(Good Stuff, W.L.A., showing their restaurant locations in the South Bay and W.L.A.)

(PCH at Santa Monica Canyon, Sept. 30th)

(PCH at the Calif. Incline; In the Fisheye: Sept. 30th)

---

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

(WRHQ, Sept. 26th)

*** *** ***

PLF 15th Anniversary Party: Sat., Oct. 15, 2011 at 6 pm

2011-09-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

Just in from Professional Lifeguard Foundation Co-Founder, Paul Silka:

The Professional Lifeguard Foundation 2011 15th Anniversary Event

You are invited to the 15th Year Anniversary Celebration!

Saturday October 15th, 2011: 6-9pm

At the Canyon Lounge - The Hideout in Santa Monica Canyon
112 W. Channel Road
Santa Monica, CA 90402

http://www.santamonicahideout.com/filming.php

Light Dinner, Wine and Beer will be served.

Michael O’Donnell will receive the 2011 PLF Lifetime Achievement Award

Please RSVP at: psilka@mindspring.com

Hosted by Mark Verge! (owner/partner of The Hideout)

Donate today : http://prolifeguard.org/

---

FYI/Head's Up:

*** Valet parking out front OR look for street parking further up W. Channel Road (a 2 block walk is not unusual for this venue if you choose to self park). ***

And for those of our readers interested in a brief history of the PLF, please read the following letter we received from Paul Silka, as follows:

Dear Will,

The Professional Lifeguard Foundation’s 15th year anniversary is upon us. I would like to extend an invitation to you and your readers to join us to the celebration on October 15th! All your readers may not be aware of the roots of PLF so perhaps I can offer a brief history.

In 1996, John Kim and Arthur Verge, and I with the support of seventeen original members* formed PLF (Will you were there!) . Our goal was to provide unrestricted scholarship awards to deserving Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguards pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. We were able to provide sixteen lifeguards with awards that first year. In the years that followed we have been privileged to have dozens of fellow lifeguards, and a few civilians, become PLF members allowing us to give over $50,000 in scholarship awards.

Membership has routinely included a $100 dollar annual donation, although the range of giving has been from $20 to $2000. Timing is important in philanthropy. Some years are better than others for our lifeguards to give. For PLF, membership is more about connection than contribution, so we consider all those who have provided support part of this organization.

At our 10 year anniversary, PLF capped off our celebration at the Annual Donor Recognition Event by recognizing Arthur Verge with our first ever Lifetime Scholar Award. This was granted on behalf of PLF to recognize Arthur’s dedication to Ocean Lifeguarding and education. As a History Professor he has contributed to his field with numerous publications and an unending commitment to the instruction of his students in the classroom and abroad during summer sojourns to Europe. Many of his students, of course, have been Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguards.

At this year’s event, we have the privilege of once again recognizing one of our outstanding PLF members with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Michael O’Donnell, a veteran South Bay Waterman and Professor of Physical Therapy at USC, has inspired us over the years with immense professional success and a continued high-level of athletic achievement in various surf racing events. In addition, he has provided physical therapy to numerous injured lifeguards and their families over the years.

Will, thank you for your continued support and membership in PLF. I hope this short history reveals a theme that makes our Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard family so exceptional. It’s a theme of limitless service, whether we offer it to the public or to each other. I have infinite pride of the professionalism and commitment of our Ocean Lifeguards and our PLF members.

Hope to see you October 15th!

Sincerely,

Paul A. Silka

*Original Professional Lifeguard Foundation members:

Spike Beck
Greg Bonann
Ed Bushman
Luigi Demari
Ed Heinrich
Gerry Heinrich
Dan Heitz
Andy Jackson
Val Jolly
William Maguire
Michael Newman
Tom Peters
Mark Meharali
Gene Rink
Cindy Cleveland
The South Bay Surf Club

---------
---------

Editor's notes:

And last but not least, some photos from the "County Recurrent" library featuring some of the lifeguards referenced in this blog post, in no particular order:

Arthur C. Verge, Phd, below, one of the Co-Founders of the PLF

John Kim, below, another PLF Co-Founder

Paul Silka, at left, below, the third Co-Founder of the PLF; the other two guys in this photo below, L2R, are Veteran LACo Recurrents, Dave Clarke and Eldin Onsgard, neither of whom is being recognized for anything on Oct. 15th... :-) 10-4

These two lifeguards below, obviously off duty and out of uniform are also not being recognized on Oct. 15th, but they are having a good time at Jake's retirement party in August 2008 below. L2R: Steve Contarsy and Dale Hast.

L2R, below, Jimmy Makuta in ceremonial tribal attire on the evening of his retirement in June 2008; shown here with good friend, Adrian Crook. Shown here just for the heck of it as two great guys and for no other reason.

Finally, below is original PLF member, Mike "Newmie" Newman of Baywatch fame.

---

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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Mark Thompson on Lifeguarding, Chocolate and Comic Books

2011-09-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

"County Recurrent" readers may recall the February 18, 2009 blog post featuring Veteran LACo Recurrent (Ret.), Mark Spyder Thompson, Phd, waxing prosaic on Lifeguarding and Chocolate, particularly slave free dark chocolate:

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Mark Thompson On Lifeguarding and Slave Free Chocolate

http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2009/02/mark-thompson-on-lifeguarding-and-slave.html

We felt it was time to check in again with Mark and to see if he had any updated remarks to share with all of us on the these topics. We were rewarded with Mark's current preferences in terms of chocolate, as well as some great historical remarks of of some classic after hours, off duty field trips with the likes of fellow veteran recurrents, Terry Flanagan (aka, Flanafish) and John Thomas (aka, JT). So here goes...

"Well, since you asked, I will make the effort to offer three of my most favorite California chocolate shops.

There is no other chocolate that I would rather eat than that made at the Nevada City truffle shop. I would stop by most everyday for a treat just to keep my chocolate fix satiated. My personal favorites were the liquor-based ones, especially: the Highlander (15 yr old Scotch), the rum saturated 151 Rum, the very surprising Imperial Dragon, and the Gold Rush. DeGroot made a Chocolate Oblivion Torte that is filled with three different genres of dark chocolate: an interior dense fudge, surrounded by a layer of rich creamy and chewy truffle, and coated with hard dark chocolate. I would purchase one every two months or so for my students to enjoy, celebrating the end of quarters.
http://www.thetruffleshop.com/
http://www.thetruffleshop.com/about_truffles.htm

I have a personal interest in the Lake Tahoe Chocolate Factory, in that a dear close friend from the 80s daze at Kirkwood became a chocolatier after marrying a master. For more than 20 years they have been making a variety of great chocolate goodies, and by goodies i mean chocolate covered goodness. Pralines? Macaroons? Sour cherries? The list goes on and on. You cannot and will not eat just one.
http://www.laketahoechocolatefactory.com/

Although Italian by name and Northern Italy by chocolate, this (next Chocolate shop) is a San Francisco treat all the way. This isn't your usual dark chocolate bars, but amazing deliciousness imbued with wonderful California tastes. My faves are the Sesame Nougat, the Ginger Heart, and Kona Coffee (covering two of my vices in one stunning bar).
http://www.recchiuti.com/index.html

Back in the 70s, good dark chocolate was not the most preferred choice. JT, Flanafish, and myself were avid eaters of large quantities (mass consumables as the Coneheads said). We would go to Baskin-Robbins and buy a cut gallon of chocolate chip, stop by the WineHaus (a large warehouse run by the bicycle-racing brother of the founder of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale; we tested many of his first batches) and pick up some excellent Reds (I still can't believe we drank all of the Chateau de St. Michelle 1976 Cabs by 1980 {I found a bottle a few years ago priced out of my league at $800}), and then down to Bernie's Comix to read for hours. If we weren't into ice cream we would stop at San Vicente Foods and get frozen Sara Lee cherry cheesecakes to go with great early-days microbrews.

Bernie's Comix: this comic store was on the east side of 4th St., a little bit south of Santa Monica Blvd. It had a huge selection of comic books in the front area, a small office, and a reading space filled with cushions and trippy artifacts (Bernie was a world traveler and had a stunning collection of items from all over). We read everything we could get our hands on that came during the Silver Age of the art. We had Doctor Strange to help us on our way, and I suspect the three of us still have a wonderful collection."

---

Many Thanks to Mark for sharing some of some of his off duty stories from "back in the day." Perhaps we might also hear from JT and Flanafish about their recollections of these after hours, off duty lifeguard ice cream, chocolate and comic book store field trips.

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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Hopkins & Ribera: Ocean Wet Daily!

2011-09-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

Dateline: Santa Monica South at Santa Monica Lifeguard Headquarters

Call Car Crew, OLS' Jay Hopkins and Todd "Tex" Ribera stayin' in shape and gettin' time in the ocean on their workout, Friday a.m., Sept. 23, 2011.

10-4, Jay and Tex!

(Photo by Will Maguire.)

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

*** *** ***

Freaky Friday Weather: At the Beach

2011-09-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

Santa Monica Lifeguard Headquarters, Friday morning, Sept. 23, 2011, including sound bites from Capt. Angus Alexander and Capt. Kirk Thomas.

Photos:

Below, L2R: OLS' Jay Hopkins and Tex Ribera returning from the ocean after a morning workout, swim and body surf. 10-4!

Videos:

Video #1: Freaky Friday Weather

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rS_2HPJZ-E

Video #2: Freaky Friday Weather

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpsgX6J0n4A

Video #3: Freaky Friday Weather

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0z7nE8Qb4I

(note: All photos and videos are Copyright Will Maguire 2011. Used here with permission. Do not reproduce without permission.)

-----

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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"The History of the Lifeguards of Santa Monica Bay"

2011-09-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

This blog post summarizes some of the highlights from last nite's presentation by Veteran LACo Recurrent Beach Lifeguard and History Professor, Arthur C. Verge, Phd, at the Santa Monica Women's Club. We would be entirely remiss if we also did not mention that it was Club Member, Laurel Czer (sister of LACo Recurrent, Andrew Czer) who produced this great event. It was a packed house with well over a hundred people in attendance for this approximately one hour presentation of stories and a spectacular slide show. Following this presentation, the Women's Club hosted a reception with some very amazing homemade brownies that even the most disciplined recurrents were found to be scarfing up, including a very physically fit Santa Monica South guard who is a full time college student at UCLA...

In any event, below are some remarks that we made a note of and that we wanted to share with our readership as well as several photos of the lifeguards in attendance for this very fun and interesting event. The guests/lifeguards that attended this event included, but were not limited to: Chief Mike Frazer, Cal Porter, Capt. Nick Steers (Ret.), Arthur Verge, Sr., Phd (Ret.), Bill Kendall (L.A. City, Ret.), Paul Silka, Lacey Beattie, Elizabeth Pennington, Matthew Pennington, Nick Kartychok, Nell Regan, Pat Carey, Kicker Vencil, Will Maguire, John Baltz and others.

Here are the photos we took last nite:

(Above, L2R, standing, Arthur C. Verge, Mike Frazer, Bill Beebe, and Nick Steers.)

(Above, L2R, LACo Recurrent-Paramedics, Pat Cary and Kicker Vencill.)

(Above, L2R: Mike Frazer, Arthur C. Verge, Cal Porter and Will Maguire.)

(Above, seated and not hiding from the camera as are two young ladies, are L2R, LACo Recurrent, Nick Kartychok and OLS Matthew Pennington.)

(Photo above, L2R: Peter Marshall, Pat Carey, Bob Valandra, John Anthony Baltz, Paul Czer.)

Above, L2R: Veteran LACo Recurrent & Professional Lifeguard Foundation (PLF) Co-Founder, Paul Silka, M.D. and LACo Recurrent & PLF Executive Director, Elizabeth Glick Pennington.)

---

Summary of Remarks by Arthur C. Verge (as transposed in notes taken by "County Recurrent"):

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Arthur C. Verge, Phd: History of Santa Monica Bay Lifeguards

Guests identified by Arthur and introduced to the audience:

Bill Beebe, took the famous photo of JFK, Summer 1962, on the beach at Santa Monica North.

Paul Silka, M.D., LACo Recurrent

Nick Steers, SM and LACo

Cal Porter, L.A. City/LACo
Venice Plunge
writes stories from 1930's, 40's

Chief Michael Frazer
12 - 14 hours/day

Art and Margie Verge

--------------------
--------------------

History of the Santa Monica Bay Lifeguards:

George Freeth, 1907, from Hawaii, revolutionized lifesaving skills in Santa Monica Bay; He also brought surfing to So. Calif.

Duke Kahamoku
Tom Blake, SM Guard

Rudy Kroon, SM City/LACo

Pete Peterson, SM City - Won First Surfing Contest

Tom Zahn
Mike Doyle
Ricky Grigg

Freeth, 1907,
first worked at Ocean Park

Lifeguards were the early watermen who worked on movies - Count of Monte Cristo

Freeth worked for Abbot Kinney as a volunteer lifeguard.

12.16.1908 - Freeth rescues at least eleven (11) Japanese fishermen and guides multiple boats into shore during storm.

Freeth was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for this effort.

Within 60 days of working for Abbot Kinney he became Captain.

1918 - Freeth tragically died (35 yrs old) of the influenza epidemic

1926 - George Wolf - first L.A. City lifeguard (first professional lifeguard service)

----------

1920's - alcohol was banned

McNulty - no, not me.

Ed Perry - regarding rumor that Ed helped out with some booz runs to Malibu - "that's all rumors", Ed was said to have told Arthur one time; and then after a couple of drinks, Ed later said, "let me tell you how I did it...."

During the Depression, Ed Perry would recycle and re-rent the umbrellas when patrons would go for a swim.

1932 Olympics - Johnny Weismuller and Buster Crabbe (both were honorary Santa Monica guards).

*** Women patrolled the beaches during WWII b/c so many men were off to war. Some beaches were closed because of sewage.

Tom Zahn
Steve Harbison

Tom Zahn's photo/slides of Santa Monica harbor in 1946 will be shown during slide presentation and were recently shown to Arthur by Steve Harbison.

Beach Lifeguard Parties - Attendees included Gov. Earl Warren - Cap Watkins - Gary Cooper - Tom Zahn - Norm Jean Baker

1960's - Mike Doyle / Ricky Grigg, both Santa Monica Lifeguards became World Surfing Champions.

-------------

Surfing Prowess of Santa Monica Lifeguards discussed:

Buzzy Trent, Pete Peterson, Tom Blake - Surfing Hall of Fame
and Duke Kahanamoku who worked as a lifeguard in Santa Monica.

-------------

Slide show:

Gold Coast - SM Pier in background - Roosevelt Hwy.

Abbot Kinney - RE Developer - he swam in the ocean everyday - he built Venice of America.

Henry Huntington - bus. rival & partner of Abbot Kinney.

Pacific Electric Railway - Victorian clothes of beach patrons.

George Freeth - with his homemade surfboard - champion diver - but
could not compete in 1912 Olympics because he had been paid as a lifeguard.

Freeth - Swimming Instructor - swimmer's physique - penmanship very good - well educated man

- organized a water polo team at the Venice Plunge.

U.S. Lifesaving Assn. had a boat rescue philosophy - 12 man crew.

Venice tried this as well - Freeth said this was too inefficient - Freeth also used

* Photo of the 1910 U.S. Life Saving Corps of Venice (with Freeth at far left in Captain's hat).

Use of ropes in the ocean so people could hold onto it.

Plunges - Bathhouses - Pools

Venice Plunge - $100K to build

water polo played here with 400 people in audience.

high dive

Photo of cannon to signal a potential drowning.

Dories - good for training but not for rescues.

Reggie Harrison - swam at Stanford -
Reggie took credit for Ed Perry becoming a lifeguard, e.g., according to Reggie, when Ed Perry was a kid he borrowed (without permission) Reggie's car and thereafter Reggie made him take swimming lessons.

Freeth had a motorcycle with a sidecar to ride around Redondo Beach and do patrols and make rescues.

Cap. George Watkins - used a metal rescue can with rope & reel - OP Park.

How Cap. Watkins became a lifeguard: In 1908, he was a bartender on the Ocean Park Pier when one of the very best customers of this bar jumped into the water and Cap's boss said, 'there goes my best customer!!!" Cap then jumped into the ocean and rescued the man. It was after that that Cap Watkins became a lifeguard. Cap would use a horse to patrol the beach.

---------------
Photos of Lifeguards with shirts/sweatshirts that were screen printed with:

Venice Plunge Guard
Venice City Guard
L.A. Guard (City)

----

Prohibition - The Rex - Arthur's grandfather was an attorney.

Sister Aimee McPherson Simple - she faked her drowning off Venice beach - she later reappeared coming out of the desert in Arizona.

At one time, using a plane with a high diver was a method of making rescues but this did not stick.

----

Lifeguards & Hollywood

Duke - made a major rescue off Huntington Beach - also worked at the Beach Club in Santa Monica between where Towers #2 and #4 are today.

Casa del mar - on Santa Monica South at end of Pico Blvd.

L.A. City Lifeguards - Tom Blake's paddleboard co.

1930-s - surfing photo at Tower #8

L.A. COUNTY GUARD photo featuring guards wearing their uniform shirts.

Another photo shows an
L.A. COUNTY
LIFE GUARD
SERVICE
umbrella, at the lifeguard station at Will Rogers #18, that is still there and is now used as a snack bar at beach level, and restrooms at the parking lot level.

LIFE GUARD SERVICE HEADQUARTERS in the 1930's and 40's on the Santa Monica Pier and is now the home of Rusty's Surf Ranch.

Cap Watkins was asked to retire because of his age by the City whereupon he called Gov. Earl Warren and shortly thereafter the City officials heard from the Governor's staff and other City Officials and that retirement demand was rescinded.

1936 photo of lifeguards diving off the boat at the start of a 1,000 tryout swim.

1934 - Fred Bleeker - no shirt -

SANTA MONICA
MUNICIPAL LIFEGUARD SERVICE

Tom Zahn's photos - SM LG boat - 1946

Zahn and Peterson at San Onofre - Classic Photo with a woodie sedan with several surfboards on the roof and Zahn and Peterson in Hawaiian shirts and straw hats.

12.12.1947 - Photo of Zahn surfing

1956 Melbourne Aus - Tad Devine

Ricky Grigg went on to earn a Phd.

Pacific Ocean Park

Nate Shargo

Dale Velzy - L.A. County Lifeguard - Surfboard shaper

Greg Noll

SM LG HQ photo, including Art Verge, Sr., Rudy Kroon, and others.

-----------
-----------

Q&A:

Rescue of horse by Ed Perry with another JG

Thelma Todd story by Cal Porter

1945 - 46 --- enclosed towers first used by L.A. City, per Cal Porter.

1920's - 30's - penalty boxes used by guards to watch the water, per Cal Porter.

-----

Reception with dessert and coffee, etc.

Adjournment

*** *** *** *** ***

We hope our readership gets a sense of the information imparted and the good time had by all at this interesting and fun event.

(All photos courtesy of "County Recurrent" and Will Maguire.)

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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Mike Moses · The Friendship Paddle 2011

2011-09-21T13:27:00.001-07:00

(Photo of Mike Moses, above; Photo Source: The Friendship Paddle.)

*** Update, Sept. 28, 2011: Just in from LACo Lifeguard Capt. John Baker (Ret.):

"This video is really cool, some of you may have already seen it. It's for Mike Moses who has a rare form of cancer.

You can watch it here:
http://vimeo.com/29662057

Thought I'd pass it along......"

John Baker

*** Thanks John ! ***

---

Head's up!

We just heard about this event or we would have surely announced it sooner!

From: Adam Sandler
Subject: Mike Moses - Friendship Paddle on Saturday
Date: September 20, 2011 3:54:11 PM PDT
To: Will Maguire

Will:

Perhaps you could remind folks about the Friendship Paddle on Saturday, Sept. 24th, 2011 benefiting LA County Lifeguard and Santa Barbara Fire Department Captain Mike Moses. Paddlers from LA and SB Fire Departments, and LACo Lifeguards, among others, will cross the Santa Barbara Channel this Saturday.

As you know, Mike has developed a rare form of cancer: multiple myeloma.

x-ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_myeloma

This summer was the first time in 34 years that Mike has not guarded the Northern Section beaches, or protected the SB community. Instead, he is facing bone marrow transplants and chemotherapy in this battle.

If folks want to donate, they can use the link below and 100% of the money raised will go to Mike and his family.

http://www.friendshippaddle.org/current_paddle.htm

Thanks,

Adam

-----

About "The Friendship Paddle":

The Friendship Paddle was created around the love of the ocean. Mike is a true waterman and exemplifies an ocean lifestyle to the fullest. Lifeguarding, paddle boarding, surfing, free-diving, and fishing are not just things he does, they are things that define who he is. Now, at the age of 53, Mike has developed a rare form of cancer, multiple myeloma. 2011 is the first summer in 34 years that Mike has not guarded the beaches surrounding Malibu. Instead, he is facing bone marrow transplants and chemotherapy.

His passion for the water and commitment to his community is a natural fit for The Friendship Paddle and with our support Mike and his family will not be fighting alone. We stand as a small portion of the community Mike has supported his entire adult life and TFP will support him and his family by raising funds and paddling the SB Channel on September 24th.

-----

Many Thanks to Adam Sandler for the heads up on this event. We've also communicated with John McFadden with The Friendship Paddle and they are very excited to have the attention and participation of our Lifeguard group.

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

"County Recurrent" Interview with Conrad Liberty

2011-09-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

Dateline: Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011; Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Woodland Hills, Calif.

"County Recurrent" visited with LACo Lifeguard Capt. Conrad Liberty (Ret.) earlier today while he is hospitalized pending further tests for a lesion recently found in his brain. He is alert and full of conversation and we were informed that visitors and phone calls are appropriate per a phone call with Nick Steers last nite.

(Photo above shows Conrad with his wife, Marla, at the conclusion of our interview as Conrad is starting to take a nap.)

Below is our interview with Conrad:

Marla Liberty: Conrad, Conrad (shake and shout), wake up, Will is here to visit with you.

Conrad Liberty (Conrad): Hi Will, what's shakin'?
County Recurrent (CR): Good morning Conrad. Good to see you.

.................. How about we conduct an interview for the readership of the blog? (Conrad's eyes roll and he smiles....)

CR: Any advice for the rookie lifeguard:
Conrad: Be there on time and make sure you are watching what the hell you are doing.

CR: We understand that you were part of a group of lifeguards that rebuilt a 60's era dory in the early 80's. Can you tell us about that?
Conrad: The group of guards involved in the restoration of this dory were myself, Ed Perry, Eddie Love, Steve Saylors, Hal Dunnigan and Randy Steigely. This was in the early 80's. This restored dory was recently displayed at the 2nd Annual Santa Monica Pier Paddleboard Race this past June 2011. Harold Dunnigan was the representative and spokesman for our group's restored dory during this event, which I believe you have a photo of during my visit to this display.

(Photo above shows Harold Dunnigan at left and Conrad, at right, next to their restored dory. Photo by Will Maguire. June 2011.)

Recently, Randy Steigely was also very instrumental in some very exceptional and expert finish work. One of the interesting facts about this dory is that it incorporates some very strong hardwood called "Appitong" for the gunnels that I had acquired.

(Editor's note: We have also been informed by Randy Steigely that Tom Snyder, Scott Hubbell and James Doman were also part of the dory restoration team.)

CR: Is Appitong termite proof?
Conrad: It is not termite proof but It is so hard that it is certainly termite-resistant.

CR: How about a funny or unusual situation while working at the beach?
Conrad: One of the funniest situations involved some shenanigans on the beach by a man and woman, both morbidly obese, standing up under a blanket engaging in sexual relations...)

CR: Any overall impressions of situations faced by beach lifeguards?
Conrad: Most of the situations were serious. Norton Wisdom was the man of the hour. Norton's philosophy was that this is hard work we do, but don't make a big deal about it.

CR: How about a memorable rescue?
Conrad: While working the Venice Pier, early one morning at the beginning of my shift, a drunk fisherman jumped off the end of the pier while fully clothed, including a very heavy pea coat. I ran down there, jumped in and had to haul him back to shore.... in his now very heavily soaked pea coat....

CR: Maybe he was in the Navy given that pea coat, eh?!... :-)
Conrad: (glares, says nothing...)

CR: Tell us about Ed Perry.
Conrad: I gave him his check out dive. Ed preferred to be on a boat than in the water as a diver but he was very good at both. Ed was a character and a story teller. Growing up in Venice as a kid, Ed and his dad would deliver ice to homes. One such homeowner who received ice once a month, one day asked that Ed deliver ice 3 times a week. This went on for 6 - 8 months until the man died. When the authorities went into his house they found out that he had been keeping his dead daughter in the bathtub on ice.

CR: We understand that you trained as an underwater dive instructor?
Conrad: Yes, I attended and graduated from UICC with Randy DeGregori and Steve Saylors.

CR: What was your favorite beach to work?
Conrad: Venice Breakwater --- was the most interesting because it had the most going on. It was also the first place I ever worked. I ended up working there for over 20 years. Bruce Kidder talked me into taking the beach lifeguard test while I was at Pierce College where I played water polo and swam for Coach (and then L.A. City Beach Guard) Bruce Kidder. Kidder was a Great Guy! He was like 6' 5" tall with an enormous wingspan. He played goalie for the U.S. Olympic Water Polo team in the 1932 Olympics.

CR: We understand that while you were in the Navy and stationed in San Francisco that you joined the historic and venerable Dolphin Club?
Conrad: In 1965, I joined the Dolphin Club and have been a member ever since, during which time I participated and completed the Golden Gate Bridge Swim 43 times and the Alcactraz swim 30 - 35 times. The Dolphin Club was first established in 1877 and is adjacent to Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.

(Photo above by Will Maguire, May 2011. The Dolphin Club, the white buildings, at right in background alongside the beach.)

As a member of the Dolphin Club, I also participated in the Farallon Island Swim --- a 30 mile relay swim from the Farallon Islands to the beach at the Dolphin Club inside SF Bay --- I was fortunate to also swim the final leg of this relay and had the honor to run up the beach at the Dolphin Club to win the race. Another team missed the tide change and was not able to complete the race. This was around 1968.

Conrad: I am going to take a nap now. Thanks for stopping by.
CR: 10-4, Conrad. Thanks for agreeing to this interview. We know that your friends and colleagues will enjoy your remarks.

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"County Recurrent" comment: Conrad is resting comfortably in the hospital at Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills, Calif. On Tuesday, Sept. 20th he will have a biopsy of the lesion in his brain and will be in ICU thereafter for observation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact his wife, Marla, or their kids, Karena and Eric. Additionally, Conrad's Lifeguard Alumni Liaisons and Representatives include Harold Dunnigan, Nick Steers and Abby Schneider, who are each in touch with Marla and Conrad and they can be contacted as well for updates on Conrad's status.

Extra Extra! Some of our favorite Conrad shots from the "County Recurrent" photo library:

Nice socks.....

(Two photos above showing Conrad at CSHQ with his new LACOLA calendar, circa 2009. Photos by Will Maguire.)

Conrad, below, in unabomber hoodie, at Jimmy Makuta's retirement party, June 2008. Photo by Will Maguire.

Conrad and Tom Doman, below, Sept. 2007, at the Rookie Swim Test, where Eric Liberty qualified for LACo's rookie school after his top 20 finish. (Photo by Will Maguire.)

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10-4

Last but not least, if you care to do so, you can join the "County Recurrent" Prayer Circle by saying a prayer for Conrad and thinking of a conversation or good experience you have had with him. Please join us and add a comment on the blog below and share a funny moment or special Conrad story as part of your prayer or contribution or you can forward it to us via email and we will post it with your permission.

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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Bob Burnside Going Vertical at Puerto Escondido!

2011-09-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

How do you spell CAJONES?... Chief Bob Burnside (Ret.) getting it done at the Mexican Pipeline in 2001. On the 10th Anniversary of this vertical free fall and successful escape back through the base of this MONSTER WAVE, we shake our heads and clap our hands at this great waterman's bodysurfing skills.

"County Recurrent" asked Bob to describe this wave and his method of entry and escape. Here is what he had to say:

"Will ...you asked about the earlier photo (above)... See the green trim of The A Frames at Puerto... taken the day before the other photo (at the top above) was taken... and only have a few of that storm's photos here in Utah.

See the pink cap below that I wear for safety... Board dudes can see ya...and if you're seen... better also..

I might bring to your attention another shot (below) taken with a huge pelican that was coming down the line as I took off..I had seen him skimming the crest of the wave..I took off...and luckily my friend got this cooool shot...

Zicatella... The Mexican Pipeline...has some of the greatest Body surf waves in the world... IF ya got the balls...there is a point break 2 miles south of these photos...that I had one day a ride that was green water for over a mile long....and in front on me... Like the recent dolphins video, three dolphins were surfing only ten yards in front of me the whole way... When I pulled out, they also pulled out...and to my amazement popped their heads up and swam around me .. One of many of my wonderful lifetime experiences..One of many... How lucky I have been to be part of the ocean, it's beauty, those that live in it, those that enjoy it, those that protect it. Now, to share the same in the Beautiful Mountains of the west... Again, just how lucky can a guy get..." Charge amigo... Bob

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Many Thanks to Bob for sharing some great memories and photos of wonderful times in the ocean.

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
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"Q&A With Kip Jerger", by Adam Sandler

2011-09-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

(Photo above shows Kip, June 2009 at Section Chief Scott Davey's retirement party. Photo by Will Maguire.)

(Photo above shows Media Consultant - Paddler - Beach Lifeguard - and "County Recurrent" Freelance Reporter, Adam Sandler, at right. Photo courtesy of Adam.)

Recently, "County Recurrent" commissioned a Q&A session with surf guru - LACo Veteran Recurrent, Kip Jerger. Adam Sandler, one of our team freelance reporters, agreed to take on this challenge.

In this Q&A session, Adam goes mano y mano with LACo's Zen Master - Wave Guru - LACo Recurrent Living Legend, Kip Jerger. Have a seat and enjoy!

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"Q&A WITH KIP JERGER", by Adam Sandler

When I mentioned to veteran Recurrent Lifeguard Kip Jerger that County Recurrent wanted to do a Q&A with him, I suggested we could do the interview while we went for a paddle off El Porto in his home-town turf of Manhattan Beach. “Or how about going for swim in the ocean,” he suggested. When I pointed out that it might be difficult to have a conversation while our faces were mostly submerged, Kip grinned and said “Oh yea. You’re right.” So we compromised and met one morning for egg whites and oatmeal at the world-famous Local Yolk in MB.

CR: You were one of the first recipients awarded the Medal of Valor for a rescue you made. Please tell us about it.

Kip: It was at White Point.

(White Point, San Pedro, Calif; Palos Verdes Peninsula, shown in the 2 photographs above and the photo below. These Three Photos by & Copyright Adam Sandler 2011. Used here with permission.)

There was a hurricane off of Mexico and the waves were 10-plus feet with 20 foot faces crashing on the rocks. I was the relief guard for John Matesich, who spent the day keeping the fisherman off the rocks and warning them with a megaphone when the sets came in. It was a day when the time between sets was long; like 15-20 minutes. John left, so as a set started forming on the outside, I grabbed the megaphone and warned the fishermen to move off the rocks. But there was one guy who ran down to the rocks to undo his fishing line that was snagged. He was in sort of a blind spot below the rocks so I couldn’t see him. Then I heard a female scream from the south end of the beach. It was the loudest scream I’ve ever heard. I grabbed the binos and spotted a man wearing a plaid flannel shirt and with a huge afro (it was 1979) floating face down. I called the Cabrillo HQ for back up, climbed off the tower and hit the jetty running barefoot across the jagged and slippery rocks. I strapped on the can, and dove in. I grabbed the guy by the hair, pulled his face out of the water and rolled him over. The guy (whose name I learned later was Wallace) was at least 230 pounds, and he was foaming at the mouth. Seconds after I made contact, the first wave of a huge set broke on us. I lost my grip and we both crashed into the rocks. I grabbed him again, and lost him three more times during the set. Each time a wave hit, we were sent crashing into the rocks. Another wave hit, and I got pinned in an opening in the rocks. My right leg was caught up to the hip. I tried to wiggle it free, but I was hit by another wave. I was gasping for air and on the verge of drowning. I finally got free and scrambled up the rocks.

(Per Kip, in the photo above: "If you were to go out to the end of the natural jetty and work back to the very first out cropping a quarter of the back from the tip, that's where it happened.")

When the water receded, I looked down and saw Wallace’s plaid sleeve through a hole in the rocks. He was trapped in an underwater cave. I got behind a rock formation so when the next set hit it protected me from the crashing wave. I ducked down into the water, grabbed his arm and held him in place as the next set came in. Although, I was protected by the elevated rock, from the onlookers perspective on the beach it looked like I had been hit by a wave and was pinned under the rocks. “The lifeguard is drowning!” I remember hearing someone scream from behind me. When the set stopped, I pushed Wallace’s arm back down into the hole and jumped into the water. I pulled him out of the front of the cave by grabbing one of his leather boots. As we were momentarily bobbing, I could feel another set was on its way and I knew this was probably my last opportunity to get Wallace out of the water and up on the rocks. His buddy -- who had been nearby and later told me he did not know how to swim and that’s why he didn’t help when Wallace first fell in – helped me pull Wallace onto the rocks. Just as we did, another wave hit the three of us. The buddy, who was probably 6’6” and 240 pounds, was pushed by the force of the wave along the rocks and, as a result, received three deep lacerations on his butt. When we got Wallace to a safe spot, I started CPR. As I did, I also noticed that my knee, thigh and hip had scrapes and cuts that were bleeding.

My back up, Kenny Atkins, arrived and took over CPR, and I began to treat Wallace’s numerous body lacerations. As I did this, I went into shock. LA City Fire arrived and Wallace and I were both transported to the hospital. After four hours at the hospital – still wearing my guard trunks and wrapped in an itchy horsehair blanket -- I was never treated. A multiple victim car crash on the freeway had the E/R doctors busy working on those victims. So I called my sister Tia to pick me up, and she took me home.

Wallace returned to White Point a few weeks later to say thanks and that he had no permanent injuries. I saw him return to fish a few times after that.

CR: That was quite a harrowing tale. What’s the funniest rescue you’ve been on?

I was working Redondo at the AINS tower; the one just south of the Redondo/King Harbor Pier. I got a call from the switchboard and the guard said there was static on the telephone line that was attached to the hot box positioned on the beach inside the horseshoe pier. In those days, you could swim and surf between the piers and there was a small stretch of sand that the public used, so a lifeguard was assigned there. So I went over, and noticed that the hot box was not on the sand in its usual location. I looked around and saw that it was floating out in the surf and was headed toward the pier and eventually the harbor opening. I advised the switchboard, and additional guards were sent as back up. It took nine of us with fins to “rescue” the hot box and drag it back to shore.

CR: Tell us a bit about your background.

Kip: I became a lifeguard in 1974 and I have worked every area, except south of the Venice Pier. I lived in Venice before there was even a pier there. I got hooked on all things ocean and was inspired to become a lifeguard when (veteran lifeguard) Dick Orr took me out on a wooden tandem Pete Peterson paddleboard in the ocean off Venice when I was six. Dick also rescued me several times over the years at Venice and we became friends. I’ve surfed all over the world. I was a stuntman on “Baywatch” for three years. In addition to lifeguarding, I run Kanoa Aquatics Surf Camps, a non-profit company dedicated to sharing the beach and ocean with kids who may not otherwise get to go. The camps have given more than 10,000 inner city kids, and 400 kids from the Braille Institute, the awesome experience of being in the ocean and learning to surf.

CR: Who was in your 1974 rookie school class?

Mike White, Hans Fausnaut, J.D. Moryl, Tom Olson, Billy Robinson, Pat Jones, Tom Olson, Sabin Perkins are the ones I recall. Our teachers were Gary Crum, Erwin Okamura, Donny Souther, Ted Clair, Jay Amundson, and John McFarlane.

CR: Who were your mentors?

Kip: There were several mentors for me. The aforementioned Dick Orr. Bill Mount was a great paddler, very humble and a really nice guy. Mike Stevenson, John Baker and Alfred Laws. They were the top athletes in the Southern Section and inspired me to compete in the Taplin. They also rescued me during a big day at Rincon when I got smacked against the rocks and split my board in half. They jumped in their VW van, drove ½ mile down the freeway and fished me out of the water with the lower half of my 7’6” round pin Becker board still attached to my leg. And Ted Clair showed me the politics of lifeguarding and a more spiritual way of looking at things. He was the most inspirational.

CR: What advice would you give to rookie lifeguards?

Kip: Never assume your back up sees you. Learn to surf. It will help you read the ocean better, which in turn lets you see a potential rescue early – especially at busy beaches. Do your job right, but have fun doing it. Get involved in the community.

CR: How do you stay in shape?

Kip: I surf and stand up paddle. I surf when it’s big and SUP when it’s small. I have rekindled my love of ocean swimming and try to get in at least 1,500 yards, five times a week. To stay limber and centered I do yoga and meditate daily. I try to eat healthy, but still enjoy almond mocha ice cream, and occasionally visit Beach Pizza on Highland. (I’ve always wanted to have pizza delivered for the group during rechecks – someday I will).

CR: What are your hobbies?

Kip: I took up SUP in 2009 and consider it also a hobby. I surfski and enjoy paddleboarding and manufacturing. I can also paint and sculpt. I made an 18” bronze sculpture for David Hasselhoff for Baywatch’s 250th show celebration (see photo below).

(Photo above courtesy of Kip Jerger. Sculpture and Photo Copyright Kip Jerger. Used here with permission.)

CR: Thanks for your time. Any closing thoughts or wisdom?

Kip: Lifeguards are generally good people. Make things easy for people around you. I try to be an example of living Aloha.*

*For the uninitiated, “...people who live or practice Aloha offer whatever they can — help, appreciation, expertise, or time — with no expectations. They do it as effortlessly as breathing and they keep doing it because it just feels so good to do the right thing,” says Barbara Santos, co-author of the book, “Practice Aloha.”

# # # # #

Many Thanks to Adam Sandler and Kip Jerger for taking the time to share these words of wisdom and experience with all of us.

"Q&A With Kip Jerger": Copyright Adam Sandler & Kip Jerger 2011. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission.

Re: White Point; Additional Links/Resources:

http://www.sanpedro.net/panoramas/white_point.htm

http://www.pacificwilderness.com/Dive%20Sites/LA%20County/San%20Pedro/White%27s%20Point/San%20Pedro%20-%20White%20Point.htm

http://www.greatoutdoors.com/published/explore-white-point-tidepools

10-4

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Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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"A CASTLE ROCK STORY", by Cal Porter

2011-09-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

(Photo by Will Maguire)

It happened early in the morning of December 16, 1935. It involved the building in the lower corner of this photo above, to the right of the lifeguard tower on the opposite side of PCH, owned and lived in by Thelma Todd, a beautiful and famous movie actress of the 1920’s and early 30’s. The building is there to this day. Thelma lived in a luxury apartment on the upper floor, where it is said that she entertained many a gentleman caller. On the bottom floor was her racy roadhouse called “Thelma Todd’s Sidewalk Café”, a hangout for the movie crowd where a drink was easy to come by even in those days of prohibition. Directly across Pacific Coast Highway from her place was Castle Rock Beach and the county lifeguard tower. The tower was of the small open box type standing on four legs that was common up and down the beaches in those days; the enclosed types in the photo above were many years in the future. The lifeguard stationed at Castle Rock in 1935 was Christy Miller, who had been with the County Lifeguards since its inception a few years earlier and maintained that Thelma never invited him across the street for a visit, although she did chat him up a time or two on the beach. Christy and George McManus, who worked down the beach at Santa Monica Canyon for the County, had been lifeguards since 1910, mainly at the old Venice Salt Water Plunge, where they knew and swam with George Freeth. The lieutenant in charge of the Will Rogers area at that time was Ted Warren, who worked out of the lighthouse building that stood where the headquarters is today. I became a lifeguard in 1939 but didn’t work Castle Rock under Lt. Warren until 1946, where I soon learned from Christy what happened that morning in 1935.

(Photo above shows a present day shot of Thelma's building at left. Photo by Will Maguire.)

Thelma

It was a Sunday morning when Christy arrived at his lifeguard tower, a winter day with no one on the beach. Later on that morning he noticed increasing activity across the street at Thelma’s building, policemen and plainclothes types. It wasn’t too unusual that official interest was occasionally shown toward Thelma’s roadhouse, where her boyfriend “Lucky” Luciano was said to be running an illicit gambling den among other activities. Later that afternoon Christy learned the facts. The night before, Thelma had been out doing some serious drinking at the Hollywood Trocadero and other watering holes which was a usual evening out for her in her riotous private life. At 10:30 the next morning as the maid went upstairs to clean the apartment she glanced into the garage. There slumped dead at the wheel of her Packard Convertible lay Thelma in her mink coat and diamond jewellery with her face bloodied. Had she suffered an accident, was it suicide, or had one of her many jealous suitors or enemies committed murder? The autopsy found that her blood alcohol was way above the legal limit. The grand jury investigation yielded conflicting results but they eventually decided to rule her death a suicide, but doubts remain and the mystery lingers to this day.

Thelma Todd was only 29 years old. Between 1926 and 1935 she appeared in over one hundred movies, starring in most of them. During those living life for all it’s worth years Thelma gave herself a nickname: “Hot Toddy”.

Thelma’s today. Her apt. upper right

"A CASTLE ROCK STORY", by Cal Porter. Copyright Cal Porter 2011. All Rights Reserved.

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Thanks Cal for another great story!

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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September 11th: We Will Never Forget

2011-09-11T09:34:00.001-07:00

Photo by & Copyright Steve Hotchkiss 2011.

Just in from LACo OL, Steve Hotchkiss:

"If you're not working today I suggest you head up to Pepperdine at the PCH frontage. The flags are very moving... This is well worth driving up for a walk through."

Four additional photos by Steve immediately below:

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Pepperdine Honors The Victims of 911:
http://malibu.patch.com/articles/pepperdine-honors-the-victims-of-911

Sept. 11: We Will Never Forget

http://pacificpalisades.patch.com/articles/sept-11-we-will-never-forget#video-7701438

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Many Thanks to Steve for sharing his wonderful photos above with all of us.

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Additional Photos from "County Recurrent" from earlier this afternoon:

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"Never forget..."

Photo by & Copyright Tom Thorson 2011.

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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"Waxing Gibbus"!

2011-09-09T22:18:00.000-07:00

"County Recurrent" wondered if tonite's moon was Full.

Fortunately, we heard from LACo Recurrent (Ret.), Jeff McConnel, and protege of Adm. Ed Perry (R.I.P.). Here is what Jeff advised based on one of the lessons learned from the Admiral:

Question: Full Moon ?

Answer: Per Jeff Mcconnel

"Not yet....waxing gibbous for another day or so.....then full....it will rise around sunset on the full moon....and 56min and 55 secs later everyday thereafter... Admiral Ed Perry...."

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Additional References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_phase

excerpt: In the northern hemisphere, if the left side of the Moon is dark then the light part is growing, and the Moon is referred to as waxing (moving towards a full moon).

2. http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question3.html

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Thanks Jeff!

10-4

Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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