CSLSA Press Release: Re: 2011 JG and Lifeguard Regionals at Seal Beach, Calif!

Just in courtesy of CSLSA and Media Consultant, Adam Sandler:

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For Immediate Release…

Lifeguards From Across The State to Compete in The 2011 California Surf Lifesaving Championships and California Junior Lifeguard Championships in Seal Beach on July 22nd and 23rd.

SEAL BEACH (June 29, 2011). Nearly 3,000 professional and junior lifeguards will compete in the 2011 California Surf Life Saving Assn. Southwest Regional Lifeguard Championships on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23. The two-day event will be held adjacent to the Seal Beach Pier on the north side.

The California Junior Lifeguard Regional Championship for all CSLSA affiliated Junior Lifeguard programs will be held on Friday, July 22, while the events for California Lifeguards and Lifeguard alumni aged 16-75 years will be held on Saturday, July 23. On both days, competition begins at 8 a.m.

“Seal Beach has graciously agreed to host this year’s event,” said Jay Butki, Competition Chair of the CSLSA. “It is a terrific location to again showcase the high-level of athleticism – the skill and stamina -- possessed by these current and future professional lifeguards from up and down the state representing 30 agencies.”

From surf swims to beach runs, paddleboard and surf boat races, as well as the grueling Ironman and Ironwoman events, competitors will vie for bragging rights to be called the state’s fittest lifeguards.

The 29th annual Regionals competition is also a preview to the annual United States Lifesaving Assn. Lifeguard National Championships, which will be held this year in Cape May, NJ on August 3-6, 2011. The event will crown the nation’s top male and female lifeguards.

The California Regional Championships are open to all California Lifeguards and Junior Lifeguards who are members of the United States Lifesaving Association (www.USLA.org). Non-members may contact their Lifeguard Agency Coordinator or JG program for USLA membership.

A complete list of events:

California Junior Lifeguard Regional Championship – Friday, July 22

Competition events for age divisions: C- 9-11 years old; B- 12-13 years old;
A-14-15 years old; AA-16-17 years old include:5 JG Individual Events:
Beach Run, Surf Race, Run- Swim-Run, Paddleboard Race, Beach Flags
And 4 JG Team Events: Rescue Relay, Swim Relay, Run Relay, Paddleboard Relay

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California Surf Lifesaving Championship – Saturday July 23

10 Lifeguard Individual Events:
2Km Beach Run- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Surf Race- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Board Race- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Ironman- Open Men, Masters Age Groups
Ironwoman- Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Surf Ski Race- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Run-Swim-Run- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
American Ironman- Open Men, Men Masters Age Groups
American Ironwoman- Open Women, Women Masters Age Groups
Beach Flags- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups

6 Lifeguard Team Events:
Rescue Race- 4 Persons, Open Men, Open Women
Taplin Relay- 4 Persons, Open Men, 4 Open Women
Surfboat Race- 2 Rowers, Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Board Relay – 3 persons, Open Men, Open Women
Landline Rescue- 4 Persons, Open only
Board Rescue- 2 Persons, Open Men, Open Women


* Open Age Group- Men & Women: 16-29 + any Masters who wish to enter
* Masters Age Group categories- Men & Women: 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-70, 70+

About the CSLSA: (www.CSLSA.org)
The California Surf Lifesaving Association is a non profit (501-C3 tax exempt) organization chartered to promote beach safety awareness and professional open-water lifesaving standards. The 30 CSLSA Chapters/Agencies share the mission, goals and objectives of the CSLSA. The CSLSA (west coast region) is one of seven regions of the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) which in turn is affiliated with the International Lifesaving Association (ILS).
As open-water lifesavers, our mission is to promote Beach Safety awareness and Professional Lifeguard standards through public education, training programs, exchange programs, junior lifeguard programs, competition and other means. The ultimate goal is to prevent and reduce aquatic injuries, accidents and death at open-water beaches in the United States and throughout the world.
Contact:
Lifeguards: Jay Butki email: Competition@cslsa.org
Junior Guards: Reenie Boyer & Lori Sadler email: jrguards@cslsa.org
Media Inquiries: Adam Sandler email: adam@facetimemedia.com

California Surf Life Saving Association
Post Office Box 366
Huntington Beach, CA 92648


2011 CSLSA Regional Championships Sponsors & Supporters:

Bud Light (Lifeguards only)
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly (Lifeguards Only)
Quiksilver (Junior Guards only)
Roxy (Junior Guards only)
Wilson
KROQ
Mini USA
Farmer John
Muscle Milk
Ford
Australian Gold
Speed Gel
Axe
Rockstar Energy Drink
Hobie Polarized
Da Fin
Beachsport.org
Scott Hubbell Productions
City of Seal Beach
Seal Beach Lifeguard Department
Seal Beach Lifeguard Association
California Surf Life Saving Association
United States Lifesaving Association

Who Owns LIFEGUARD in Australia!

(Photo above shows L.A. County Lifeguard Hat and Fleece Pullover Sweater, with both featuring the term, LIFEGUARD. Shown here to augment article that follows. Photo by Will Maguire.)

Heads up!

We invite you to have a look at the following article posted online at:

http://trademarkesq.blogspot.com/2011/06/who-owns-lifeguard-in-australia.html


(Image/Photo Source: PerthNow.com; Picture/Photo by: Tim Marsden)

which discusses the recent hullaballoo down under over the national lifesaving governing body registering the trademark LIFEGUARD for merchandise, including apparel, which has a great deal of local surf clubs up in arms in protest.

Here are three photos of three different t-shirts to lend some visual image support to this article:

This first photo below shows a t-shirt that the undersigned bartered for in 1986 while down under at the Australian National Lifesaving Championships at Moana Beach, in So. Australia. This shows a Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club t-shirt.


This next photo, below, shows another bartered t-shirt, this time one that was 2 years old at the time of this hard fought negotiation, revealing an official team t-shirt with the official Aussie governing body identified, namely, S.L.S.A.


This final photograph, from the good ol U.S. of A, shows that Panama Jack did not get the memo from SLSA Australia and probably doesn't give a hoot... cuz they certainly are an old school and establish sponsor of beach lifeguards here in the U.S., including the USLA. Thank you P.Jack!


Bob's Your Uncle!

10-4

Until next time.....


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

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p.s. Once upon a time, the undersigned, er, uppersigned, filed the trademark application for the "BAYWATCH LIFEGUARD (and design)" (see image below) on behalf of the Baywatch Production Company. A registration was obtained and this was a very valuable mark and was used on apparel and hats. Unfortunately, this registration was not renewed by the successors in interest. In any case, here is the record of this registration as it continues to appear online at www.uspto.gov:


Word Mark BAYWATCH LIFEGUARD
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: clothing, namely shorts, shirts, sweat shirts, sweat pants, hats, tops, caps. FIRST USE: 19880103. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19920900
Mark Drawing Code (3) DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS
Serial Number 74198939 Filing Date August 28, 1991
Current Filing Basis 1A Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition May 12, 1992
Registration Number 1964352 Registration Date March 26, 1996
Owner (REGISTRANT) BAYWATCH PRODUCTION COMPANY, THE CORPORATION CALIFORNIA 5433 Beethovan Street Los Angeles CALIFORNIA 90066
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record William E. Maguire
Type of Mark TRADEMARK Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date December 28, 2002

p.s.s. So yes, the issue vis a vis the trademark LIFEGUARD in the U.S. is not set in stone.

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"Jim Mollica: Waterman", by John Thomas

(Photo above show Jim Mollica with his classic paddleboard (see description below) at the recent, June 11, 2011, Santa Monica Paddleboard Race & Ocean Festival. Photo by Will Maguire.)

Surfer - Paddler - Lifeguard. Jim Mollica fits the bill for this much heralded moniker, WATERMAN.

"County Recurrent" News has a big surprise for our readership. We've landed two big fish, as it were, by having Veteran LACo OLS, Ret., John Thomas, interview the legendary Veteran, Ret., LACo Lifeguard - Paddler, Jim Mollica. Talk about a meeting of the minds. Talk about a couple of righteous watermen talkin' shop and lettin' us listen in. You won't get this kind of up close and personal commentary anywhere else folks... unless, of course, you are on a bar stool at The Galley hoisting up martinis with the likes of Harold Dunnigan, Don Rohrer, Mickey Gallagher and Rex Goble and probably Dee Golles too... but THAT is definitely another story.

So here goes:

"Jim Mollica: Waterman", by John Thomas

SOME NOTES FROM THE JIM MOLLICA INTERVIEW... HOT OFF THE PRESSES..... JIM MOLLICA, SANTA MONICA BORN AND BRED, WAS NOT A COMPETITIVE SWIMMER, BUT STARTED SURFING AT AN EARLY AGE. JIM KNEW THE FOUNDER OF THE SANTA MONICA LIFEGUARDS, CAP. WATKINS, AND JOINED THE SM JUNIOR LG'S AND WON HIS FIRST PADDLE BOARD RACE AUG 15, 1955, A ONE-MILER. HE WAS HOOKED AFTER THAT. HAD HEARD OF THE LEGENDARY TON ZAHN AND ASPIRED TO BE LIKE HIM. JIM KNEW AND RODE BOARDS FROM SOME OF THE GREAT EARLY SHAPERS AND BOARD BUILDERS SUCH AS DALE VELZY,CON, RENNIE YATER, RICKY GRIGG AND BUZZY TRENT. HE MET PETE PETERSON AND WORKED ON THE SM PIER IN PETE'S SHOP AS A GLUE BOY, HELPING BUILD PADDLE BOARDS AND DORIES. PETE OWED HIM MONEY AND AS PAYMENT GAVE HIM HIS FIRST RACING BOARD, THE ONE PICTURED ABOVE AND BUILT BY PACIFIC SYSTEMS IN THE 1930'S, AND MADE OF SOLID BALSA AND REDWOOD. PETERSON HOLLOWED IT OUT AND PUT ON A LINEN FABRIC DECK SEALED WITH DOPE AFTER THE WAR. HE HELPED JIM REFURBISH THE BOARD AND ENCOURAGED HIM TO START RACING, WHICH HE DID IN THE EARLY 1960'S. JIM'S FIRST LIFEGUARD JOB WAS IN 1969 WITH THE STATE LIFEGUARDS WORKING AT LEO CARRILLO WITH GREAT SURFER AND PADDLER MERV LARSON. JIM LATER TOOK AND PASSED THE LA CITY LIFEGUARD TEST AND WORKED DOCKWEILER UNDER LT JERRY BALONICH, HELPING THAT CREW WIN AN LA CITY INTERCREW TROPHY WITH HIS GREAT SPEED AS A PADDLER. JIM DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF AS A TOP GUARD WORKING ALL THE HOT TOWERS AT DEL REY. JIM TRANSFERRED TO WILL ROGERS IN JULY OF 1974 AND WORKED UNDER BUD CLARK WHO WAS IMPRESSED WITH HIS PROWESS AS A GUARD AND GREAT ATHLETIC SKILL AS A PADDLER AND ALL AROUND WATERMAN. JIM SETTLED INTO WILL ROGERS #4, A TWO STORY TOWER ON THE EDGE OF PCH AND WORKED THAT TOWER UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE GUARDS. JIM HAD THE DISTINCTION OF LOWERING THE LA CITY FLAG FOR THE LAST TIME FROM THE WILL ROGERS HQ IN JUNE 1975, THE LAST DAY BEFORE THE MERGER WITH L.A. COUNTY. HE FOLDED THE FLAG, MILITARY STYLE AND LEFT IT ON THE LOG BOOK AFTER HE HAD SIGNED OUT AT THE END OF HIS SHIFT.

JIM MADE MANY GREAT RESCUES OVER THE YEARS AND IN 1970 WAS AWARDED A CITATION FOR HEROISM AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE BY THE LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL FOR SINGLE HANDEDLY RESCUING SEVERAL PEOPLE FROM A RIP IN LARGE SURF, INCLUDING A SUBMERSION VICTIM. JIM STAYED IN TOP PHYSICAL SHAPE AND RACED IN PADDLEBOARD EVENTS, BOTH SPRINTS AND LONG DISTANCE ALL DURING HIS CAREER. HE STILL ENJOYS PADDLE RACING TO THIS DAY, NOW IN HIS 70'S.

JIMMY'S ALSO VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT WHAT HE EATS.... GIRLS USED TO BRING HIM FOOD AT THE BEACH ALL THE TIME AND HE NEVER ATE IT.... ONE HILARIOUS STORY INVOLVED AN AMAZON FEMALE POLICE OFFICER WHO WANTED TO DO WEIRD AND PERVERSE STUFF WITH JIM.... SCARED THE SH** OUT OF HIM.... HELL SHE SCARED THE SH** OUT OF ME, AND I COULD LOOK HER IN THE EYE!!!!!!! ANOTHER TIME A VERY EAGER WOMAN DRAGGED JIM HOME FROM THE BEACH TO HER HUSBAND.... AND JIMMY USED THE BATHROOM AND HAULED ASS OUT THE WINDOW!!!!! JIM HAD THE KNACK FOR ATTRACTING THE ODD ONES.....

JIM WAS ALSO A GREAT PRACTICAL JOKER IN THE STYLE OF THE GENERATION OF LIFEGUARDS THAT CAME OUT OF THE 60'S AND 70'S. JIM LOVED TO DRESS UP AS A CANNIBAL COMPLETE WITH A BONE IN HIS NOSE AND A GIANT FRIZZY WIG AND WOULD LEAP ON HIS FELLOW GUARDS UNEXPECTEDLY FROM ALL MANNER OF PLACES, EVEN A FEW FEMALES LYING ON THE BEACH HE KNEW WERE TARGETS. JIM STILL FONDLY REMINISCES OF THE OLD WILD AND WOOLY DAYS OF LIFEGUARDING WITH THE EXCITEMENT OF RESCUES AND PARTYING WITH WILD ABANDON, MANY OF THE STORIES UNSUITABLE TO BE REPRINTED. NEEDLESS TO SAY, JAMES MOLLICA WAS ONE OF THE CLASSICS, A LIFEGUARD STRUCK FROM THE MOLD OF LEGENDARY WATERMEN, WHO LIVED LIFE TO THE FULLEST.

john thomas


(Photo above shows John Thomas in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. in late Dec. 2010, holding up the snowpack in LACo OLS Ret., Bill Powers, driveway. John began his lifeguarding career with L.A. City in 1969 and was immediately brought on board as Bud Clark's HQ guy at the fabled Lighthouse "back in the day". Post merger, John later became an L.A. County OLS (Permanent), followed by a very successful and ongoing career as a screenwriter, e.g, Predator, and other feature films. John is a true waterman of the classic mold: powerful collegiate and ocean swimmer, paddler, doryman, surfer and sailor. We are thrilled to have him contribute to our blog and look forward to more stories.. that can be told.)

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Editor's notes: In speaking with Jim Mollica to follow up on my editorial obligations, I was able to pry from him his "paddling resume" which will astound our readership that is unfamiliar with his exploits on the water. Here goes, take a deep breath!

"Jim Mollica participated in his first Catalina Classic in 1958 when he was 18 years old and placed 5th in stock. His second Catalina Classic race was in 1960 where he placed 2nd place open class behind Tom Zahn (World Champion). According to Jim, in 1961 they only had stock class and it was supposed to be a big event for Manhattan Beach covered by Sport's Illustrated. The favored paddlers were Mike Doyle and Jim. Two hours into the race it was called off due to extreme rough water, disappointing to all, especially Manhattan Beach. Also, according to Jim, the race was reinstated in 1982 with the help of Buddy Bohn and the late Gibby Gibson. In 1984 at the age of 44, Jimmy placed third in the open division out of 20 contestants. At the age of 45 in 1985, he placed 6th in the open division out of a field of 34. In 1988 at the age of 48, he won the stock division out of a field of 26, and this particular victory may have very well make Jim the oldest person ever to win the Catalina Classic in either division. It is quite clear from John Thomas' interview that Jim Mollica is a colorful character and a courageous and keen athlete. He is certainly a true waterman. We are very fortunate as well to count him as one of our own."

Many Thanks to Jim Mollica and John Thomas for sharing this interview 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. ***

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This Photo Is So Bitchin'!

(Photo above by Skip Prosser. Copyright Skip Prosser 2011. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission. Do not reproduce without prior permission. Where and when: Saturday, June 11, 2011 at the Second Annual Santa Monica Pier Paddleboard Race and Ocean Festival, during the lifeguard dory races.)

About this photo; Per Skip: "This particular shot of the DeBoer brothers is completely a sit and wait moment. Dane and Dick always provide the most unique exits of any competitor today, and it's important not to take 10 shots of the exit, but wait for the perfect 2 or 3. Which is exactly what I did. Dane DeBoer didn't disappoint!"

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Editor's comments:

Wow! Is this photo great or WHAT?! Does this photo capture dory racing or what?! Kudos to Ocean Lifeguard-Photographer, Skip Prosser, for capturing this critical moment in time during the dory exit which the DeBoer brothers should patent! Heck, it is already their trademark! Good grief, write it down on a piece of paper and we will copyright it too while we're at it!

In any event, this photo storms its way into the Top Ten Lifeguard Surf Lifesaving Photos of all time. It is right up there with the infamous dory shot of Dale and Jake goin' vertical on a wave "back in the day".

So who is Skip Prosser, you ask, if you do not already know. Here is what Skip had to say for himself at our request:

Skip Prosser:

"Long Beach Ocean Lifeguard 24th year.

Photography is a very rewarding hobby for me. I have always enjoyed catching that moment of intensity by an athlete and sharing that moment with others. I've competed in past L.A. County Taplins as a Dory competitor and swimmer and wished I had some of those moments on film. I do not do this for a profit, although some people do buy my pictures, but most of what I do is for pure enjoyment and usually don't mind giving my photos to the athletes who allow me to take the pictures.

In 2009, I started a Facebook Group, Lifeguard Competition, just to give information about upcoming competitions, photos of lifeguard competitions, results of competitions and to give people a small forum to post any ideas about lifeguards they feel is important. You are all invited to join us on this Facebook group where we can share our shared interest. Just search "Lifeguard Competition" in the search window on Facebook. Additionally, I have a photo website at:

http://www.prosserphotos.com

Cheers,

Skip


(Photo above shows Skip Prosser, in his element, camera in hand! Photo by Will Maguire.)

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Many Thanks to Skip for allowing us the opportunity to share this phenomenal photo with our readership!

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.

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

"County Recurrent" News Alert: Zuma Beach Lifeguard Capt. Dan Atkins To Hang Up His Trunks!

10-4!

Atkins is 10-7 at Duke's Malibu being toasted and roasted.


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Congratulations to Dan and his family! Like the headline says, "We will miss the man but not the trunks!"

Until next time.....


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

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Recheck 2011 Photos

Dateline: LACo Lifeguard Training Center, 2600 Strand, Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Wed., June 8, 2011 (aka, "Big Wednesday").

Here are some photos of this fun filled day of adventure and training.




















































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10-4

Until next time.....

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

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"Let's Win Taplins", by Chad Carvin

(Photo above shows the Victorious Central Section Taplin Relay Team, August 2009. Chad Carvin is at lower right, first row. Photo by Will Maguire.)

"County Recurrent" recently asked LACo OL-Competitor, Chad Carvin, to share a fond memory with respect to Surf Lifesaving Competitions which he agreed to do. We hope you enjoy Chad's remarks!

"The 2008 Central Taplin Team was holding its annual morale building team dinner before the annual event in August. As a ritual, each member of the team goes in competition order saying something motivational or special to them, then takes a shot of tequila to solidify the thought. Also, as a background, Central at this point hasn't been on the Bell in a number of years and most of this year's team will be first time "bell ringers".

As we head down the team into the dorymen, JVD the team captain stands up. JVD is a very charismatic, passionate individual. Before he even spoke, I could see a fire in his eyes as he looks at his fellow teammates, his desire to win emanates from his being. JVD's speech crescendos with spit coming from his mouth and sweat flinging off his forehead with the simple words, "LETS WIN TAPLINS!!!!".

(Photo above shows JVD exhorting his teammates at the pre-Taplin Team Party.)

I sit there thinking, "Geez I wish I had a JVD pep talk before my Olympic final... who knows what would have happened". I was so fired up, I had goosebumps. I think everyone felt the same way!

That year we went on to smash the second place South Bayers and bring the Taplin Bell to the Central Section for the first time in a number of years. For me that year's victory all started with the speech from JVD. The passion JVD has for lifeguarding and the tradition of the Taplin is truly something special!"

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Many Thanks to Chad for sharing this defining moment in his career as an LACo OL-Surf Lifesaving Competitor.

Editor's note: Chad Carvin placed first in the rookie swim in the Fall of 2006. Those who watched this particular swim, including the undersigned, remember that he dominated this race from the first buoy, stretching his lead and finishing on the beach with the second place swimmer rounding the last buoy. In the summer of 2007, he was a member of the So. Section winning Taplin team as a swimmer. In 2008 he transferred to Central Section and has been on each Taplin team since that time, with Central Section victories in each and every one of those years, namely, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Chad grew up in Laguna Beach and swam for the University of Arizona and was a beach lifeguard for the City of Laguna Beach before becoming a LACo OL.


(Photo above shows Chad Carvin, on duty and watching the water at Will Rogers Tower #8 on Saturday, June, 2011.)


(Photo above shows, L2R: Central Section Taplin Relay teammates, Jamie Orr and Chad Carvin, at the recent surprise birthday party for LACo Capt. Kirk Thomas held at the infamous and perennial backyard lifeguard party venue of LACo OLS, Jay Hopkins, June 2011.)

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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. ***

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

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

Opinion/Editorial, by Bob Burnside

(Image Source above: "Commitment" Copyright Norton Wisdom 1994. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission. Do not reproduce without permission.)

At the special request of LACo Chief Lifeguard, Ret., Bob Burnside, we are publishing his recent Op./Ed. on the importance of all United States Ocean Lifeguards, whether active or retired, supporting the efforts of our National Lifeguard Organization, the U.S. Lifesaving Association (aka, USLA).

Bob's remarks, below, which appear in all bold face or highlighted text, were in immediate response to the recent article prepared by USLA President Chris Brewster's thoughts on the recent smear campaign against ocean lifeguards, esp. in Newport Beach, CA. This referenced article with Chris Brewster's remarks can be read at the following link:

AQUATICS INTERNATIONAL
EDITOR’S NOTE
Stop the Smear
The group behind the lifeguard pay smear aims to break unions, and they’ll use whatever they can to sway public opinion and dupe the media.
By Gary Thill | June 2011


http://www.aquaticsintl.com/2011/jun/1106_editor.html


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Editorial About Lifeguard Smear Campaign, by Bob Burnside:

"Great Article... Obviously, the USLA President Chris Brewster has stayed on top of this from the beginning... NOW It is time that The LA CO. Blog and all lifeguards media... need to "REMIND" all its members that they should step up and join the USLA, whether they are competitors or not! The USLA has been and still is the guardian of all lifeguards and a strong advocate for water safety Nationally and Internationally.

Frankly Will, It really rubs me wrong when we all have received and receive so much from lifeguarding... yet so many are too damn cheap to support "Our National Association". Instead they leave it up to a hand of dedicated men and woman who serve without any compensation to represent us all whenever a problem arises. The history of the USLA, and what it has done for lifeguards Nationally is well documented

"Get with it L.A.County Lifeguards!"... Sign up and become a member of "THE FAMILY OF LIFEGUARDS"...

The County has always been the leader, but it isn't just about winning the Lifeguard Championships... It's about supporting "ALL LIFEGUARDS"... which the USLA does!

LACO... be part of the family!

Bob Burnside

(Photo above shows Chief Bob Burnside, circa 2010. Courtesy of BB.)

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Notes:

(1) You can sign up for membership as active or retired at the USLA website at:



http://www.usla.org

An Annual Membership costs only $30 (Thirty Dollars)! I signed up a couple of months ago online at usla.org, which was really easy, and I recently picked up my USLA t-shirt, got some sunscreen too, and am going to get a beach towel as well! USLA Swag is at the top of any recurrent beach lifeguard's portfolio of lifeguard gear. Do NOT be left out! "County Recurrent" definitely supports the USLA!

(2) Just in from Kauai based/retired Zuma Recurrent/Surfing Legend, Larry Loganbill, in response to Bob's halycon call to support the USLA:

"Bob,

I'm signing up now as an Alumnus member now that you put it that way. Lifeguarding put food on my family's plate and helped pay the rent...even when I was teaching in Watts... I worked on weekends at the MB Pier... and during the summers to supplement my income. And beach lifeguarding paid my way through college... even though tuition was mostly free in California during the 60s. And if groceries had not been so expensive at the grocery store in Malibu... when I worked summers at Zuma...I might even had saved enough money to buy a bottle of Red Mountain wine to drink once in awhile. I used my Zuma lifeguarding money I saved from the summers for rent during college and I hashed at a sorority house for my dinners.

Cheers,

Duck"

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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. ***

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

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

"Advent of the LACo Ocean Recheck Swim", by Chief Bob Burnside, Ret.

(Photo courtesy of Bob Burnside. Used here with permission.)

In retrospect of yesterday's (06.08.2011) ocean recheck swim at 2600 Strand which 17 lifeguards did not complete (out of 39 swimmers), representing an approximately 44 percent failure rate, we asked Chief Bob Burnside, Ret. for some perspective on this anomaly and if there were any historical references he recalled with respect to rechecks.

Here is what Bob poignantly said in reply this morning:

"When I was promoted to Chief...and the first recheck under my appointment came up, I had grave concerns about the annual recheck that had been policy for years. It was a 500 meter pool swim, under (I believe) 13 minutes.

Over the years I had noticed that many of the lifeguards were not in shape when they came on schedule. I was not impressed with pool rechecks, obliviously, we need to be sure that our people could make an ocean swim from a beach start thru the surf and around a buoy and back to the beach within a time frame to be established annually.

The notice went out (circa 1976) that the recheck would change and be held at Hermosa Pier. I had a buoy set out near the end of the pier and tested the time frame myself. I was able to make the swim from the beach start around the buoy back and up the beach in, as I recall, about 9 minutes. So I set the time limit at 15 minutes to finish the course. I kept in mind that my swim skills were likely considerably better than the majority of seasonal lifeguards, as I was still active in masters swim events and swam daily at Pepperdine College.

LACOLA made a big push to prevent the change. The Director, Dick Fitzgerald, was approached by the recurrent representative, arguing that the water temp. would be difficult at the early recheck date, that conditions and fair measurements of a distance to evaluate was unfair, etc., etc. Fitz called me in to discuss the issue. I adamantly argued my case. "We are beach lifeguards Fitz, these guys need to pass a swim that is what they will experience the first day they go on schedule." Additionally,I told him, to much "hanky panky" stuff has been going on with the pool swims. I closed by stating to him... "Fitz, you appointed me as the Chief. I feel strongly that this is the best way to have a recheck. He agreed and we went forward with the scheduling.

There was a lot of grumbling from many that showed up for the first recheck day. That day the water temp was around 63 degrees, a strong wind chop and 4 foot surf was hitting the south side of the pier. I watched the first group hit the water from the observation office with the Hqts crew viewing the start... To everyone's great surprise, out of the initial group of around 35 men, 11 of them never made it out beyond the surf line... and 3 additional's couldn't make the time limit.

It shocked everyone... The point had been made!

When the second group lined up, I went down, put my trunks on and took the swim with them.... Obviously, to present to them that if I made this call, I was willing to go with the plan also. In that second group, another 5 or more couldn't get out... and a few others failed in the time frame.

The point was made...It was an eye opener for everyone..

Daily, get your butts wet, policy was instigated in the Southern and Central sections. Zuma, had for years had that policy in place... but it now became a Dept. Policy.

The in and out drills are the answer. Exact entry training, digging down and rapid acceleration to the victim... swimming with head up (eyes on the victim) are the best training for a lifeguard... Pool swims mean nothing.

Lifeguards must be ready for any challenge... and feel confident they can handle anything when it comes up.

Comments about this year's recheck and miscues by many should be a grave concern to The Admin. staff... and LACOLA. I'm sure that Randy DeGregori and/or Howard Lee will recall the issue.

Bob

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Thanks Chief! We really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and recollections on this important matter of training, fitness and preparedness for the ocean by all recurrent lifeguard staff, etc.

10-4

Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
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Get In Shape! Be Prepared! LACo Ocean Recheck 2011

(Image source: Mike Murphy's legendary (already) rip enabled magic carpet trip through the surfline during the ocean swim recheck on 06.08.2011 at 2600 Strand. Copyright Mike Murphy 2011. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission.)

Dateline: LACo Recurrent Ocean Swim Recheck, Wed., June 8, 2011 at 2600 Strand, LACo Training Center

If you haven't heard about it yet, yesterday's (Wed., 06.08.2011) recheck swim was BRUTAL! You name it, the 39 guards that swam it know what I am talking about, with perhaps the exception of Mike Murphy who shrewdly rode out a monster rip and avoided an impact zone unlike any faced by this recurrent in 35 plus years!

39 guards swam. 17 did not make the time cut!

There is a lesson to be learned here, folks!

*** Be prepared. Be in shape. Know the territory. Use your brains. Use your ocean knowledge.

The conditions in the surf line at 2600 Strand at the present time present a literal vortex of close to shore obstacles. Yesterday, we had inshore holes, rips, lateral currents, a low tide, cold water temps and a heavy pounding consistent surf in an impact zone chosen by nearly the entire group! It was a meat grinder! At a higher tide the impact zone, as it turns out, presents a much different challenge and does not impede progress through the surf as much.

More will be written on this topic. The urgency of this message must not be delayed, however.

Check out Murph's illustrious and glorious rip current free ride in his own hand prepared chart above.

Below, is the same chart with an additional feature, namely, xxxxxxx, which symbolizes the meat grinder impact zone which took such a heavy toll on the field of swimmers yesterday.


Finally, we have included the Retest Memo posted by the Training Staff for those recurrents who have to retest.


Stay focused, be prepared, be grateful!

10-4

Until next time.....


Will Maguire, Editor
"County Recurrent" News