Just Another Day At The Beach

"COUNTY RECURRENT" Presents: A Day At The Beach



The Standard Quiver of Rescue Fins..... ready for the next blitz at the Avenues. And notice how the Orange Redley Fin (center) picks up and compliments the orange in the County Recurrent homepage graphics...



Name the brand name of these fins on the rail, in set up mode, adjacent to rescue can at Ave-23.



This yacht, or I should say, SHIP, was absolutely GINORMOUS !!! A colleague stationed elsewhere conjectured it belonged to a south of the border drug lord that has recently been parking his 100 foot plus vessel in MDR at the fuel dock. I thought it might be a certain Silicon Valley software billionaire who has bought up a boatload of Malibu beachfront in past several years. Name that Billionaire and his company for a free cup of coffee at CSHQ.



Sunset in Venice..... who knew !



End of shift, rescue hybrid vehicles being parked for the night. Is it just me or do these vehicles look absolutely outstanding ?!



Nighttime in the hood.

Anatomy of a Rip Current; Part I: Inshore Holes Exposed !

*** County Recurrent "Special Bulletin": Heads up ! Echo Boomer List of successful County Recurrent candidates who kicked ass in the swim test and qualified for the next round are now up to ELEVEN (11) !!! Just in: "Julie Wynn, 19, granddaughter of retired permanent and recurrent lifeguard, Cal Porter, 85." Check it out on our updated County Recurrent Blog Post of Oct. 1, 2008. ***


ANATOMY OF A RIP CURRENT

Part I: Inshore Holes Exposed !

Here for the first time, inshore holes will be exposed for the bottom feeding sandy depressions that they are. Sometimes referred to as 'ankle poppers', back crackers', or 'knee crushers', these inshore holes are responsible for some of the nastiest, dirtiest, and swiftest rip currents known to mankind.

Only during a zero or minus tide can these inshore holes truly be exposed for what they really are. Yet, ironically, at such a low tides these inshore holes look peculiarly tame and benign. Add some surf and a six foot receding tide, however, and these otherwise benign looking little swales in the sand become the breeding ground for the disgorgement and repatriation of ocean water seeking a path back out to sea. We are talking TONS, people, TONS of WATER, that has been projectile vomited :-) onshore by successive sets of surf that is now seeking to get back out to sea and it will seek out the deepest, darkest, lowest point from which to do so. Enter the "Inshore Hole", the veritable late night carousing, late for work, ready for a barfight recurrent lifeguard who has no business watching the water. You hear what I'm saying ! These are not the inshore holes you invite home to meet mom and dad. Benign at zero tide, and Mr. Hyde at high tide. Sound like an inshore hole you too have encountered ?!...

I've met some pretty nasty inshore holes of the Central Section variety. Two steps off the beach and WHAM !..... there goes your right knee and hip down into a freaking two foot hole ! Nice ! Or how about while dolphining out through the surf on a rescue and as you dive off the bottom for the third or the fourth time you find your left and right foot at different elevations of an inshore hole so that when you push off with your legs you get an evil chiropractic adjustment which sends your spine and vertebrae moving in different directions ! Great, just great !

Or the infamous inshore holes on Santa Monica South each spring. Come Memorial Day Weekend its like every other beach patron gets swallowed up by inshore holes ranging from one foot to six feet deep. Yeah, SIX FEET DEEP ! Just ask Bill Asturius, Mark Newman and Jim Oppliger who tried to fetch a 300 plus pound victim out of such a hole adjacent to SMS #26 "back in the day", e.g., circa 1978. I would have liked to have helped them out but Roy Salter (at #24) and me (at #25) were busy with our own rips and rescues. That particular inshore hole, however, was AT LEAST six feet deep and it took all three of those studs to get that gal out of there.

So, you see, and as you know yourself, the inshore hole is the precursor to the rip current. The inshore hole is, in effect, the gateway drug, I mean, a preeminent causal factor to the rip current. The photos to follow illustrate this fact.

Photo below: An otherwise benign play pond for an infant..... AT ZERO TIDE, maybe !





Photo above: A Classic "Ankle Popper" at medium or high tide; here, at zero tide just a tiny shimmering pool of water in the hard sand...




Photo above: Don't let these holes fool you because they are knee breakers for sure at medium tide...




Photo above: Here we have it ! Irrefutable evidence of the proverbial bottom, water feeding inshore hole leading the ocean water back out to sea. Just add a receding four to six foot tide with some surf and this gentle stream becomes a freaking funnel of swirling water hoovering out to sea !




Photo above: "Just Follow The Scum"... if it works for the police, hey, why not use it for catching scum sucking, inshore hole breeding rip currents !


That concludes today's lesson of Part I: Inshore Holes Exposed.

Until Next Time,


Will Maguire,
on behalf of COUNTY RECURRENT News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
email: will.maguire@verizon.net

Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop" !

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

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

*** OPT - OUT *** Just hit reply and type in "Opt Out" in the subject line to be removed from this email list.

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

Rescue Swimmers

The Next Generation is ripped and ready to rescue candidates not up to the challenge of the annual rookie swim this past Sept. '08.



Left to right, can you name these lifeguards ?

"County Recurrent" wants to know !

Hooah !


Will Maguire,
on behalf of COUNTY RECURRENT News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
email: will.maguire@verizon.net

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

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

*** OPT - OUT *** Just hit reply and type in "Opt Out" in the subject line to be removed from this email list.

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

Hardpack, snowpack, two pack, day pack...

Hardpack:



Softpack:



Snowpack:








Snopek (Jaro Snopek, that is (right); with Dave Estey, left):




Ratpack:



Six Pack:



Three Pack:



Two Pack:



Day Pack:



Over,


Will Maguire,
on behalf of COUNTY RECURRENT News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
email: will.maguire@verizon.net

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACoFD or LACOLA or the Art Verge - El Terasco Surf Team.

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

*** OPT - OUT *** Just hit reply and type in "Opt Out" in the subject line to be removed from this email list.

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

How To Improve Your Seniority: Lesson 1

"Courtesy Reminder" re PLF Donor Recognition Soiree: One Week Away !!!
Be sure to calendar this event where you can mix with the Brass with Class!



The Professional Lifeguard Foundation's Annual "Donor Recognition" Soiree

Friday, October 17th, 2008: 6 pm to 9 pm

743 Almar Ave.

Pacific Palisades, CA

All previous and future donors are invited. Join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. To RSVP e-mail psilka@mindspring.com or by phone, 310.459.6721.

http://www.ProLifeguard.org

(County Recurrent, editor's note: Drink Responsibly...be sure to ask for the good stuff !)


Friday, October 10, 2008

County Recurrent Presents: "How To Increase Your Seniority: Lesson 1"

Hypothetical:

Let's say you've been a recurrent for a handful of years and you still can't seem to get that coveted summer schedule because of some pri.., I mean, colleague, who is ahead of you on THE LIST. What is a recurrent to do ? You could hide a bunch of equipment in the garage at Venice HQ like a certain retired recurrent/permanent reputedly used to do and then the Dept. would have to pay him a minimum of a couple hours to come in and, wink wink, find the needed equipment. County Recurrent does not favor this strategy, however.

On the other hand, let's say this other guard is in college and is thinking of going to grad school but needs a bit of money to get there. OK, you with me here. Here's the deal ! Make a tax deductible donation to the Professional Lifesaving Foundation (aka, PLF) and earmark the check for a scholarship for said certain college student/grad school bound colleague. It might not hurt to even campaign for the s.o.., I mean, other lifeguard getting a scholarship. You can also rest assured and sleep soundly knowing that (a) you have made a very savvy tax advantaged donation, (b) you've contributed to the higher education of a colleague, and (c) with that higher education that colleague will in a short period of time no longer be around or able to hold down that coveted summer schedule and it will be yours for the taking.

For more information about the PLF, click on the following link:

http://www.prolifeguard.org

Of course, you could also try to get a position with the W.A.T.E.R. program which would insure you more stable employment throughout the year and provide you with more days worked in a rating year, thus catapulting you higher on THE LIST, but then you would not be on the "front lines", as it were, making rescues, preventions and otherwise saving lives.

In truth, gaining seniority is a day by day proposition. You can earn it by working on the front lines, you can get it by the number of injury days you are sidelined, or you can get it in a couple of creative ways OFF the front lines.

In conclusion, "County Recurrent" asks: Why not make a tax deductible donation to the PLF and wish your colleague well as he/she flies off to some ivy league college or grad school to continue his/her higher education, leaving you with the choice 4/40 shift in the area of your picking.

Over,

Will Maguire,
on behalf of COUNTY RECURRENT News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
email: will.maguire@verizon.net

DISCLAIMER: This email and its contents and specifically the "hypothetical" and its resolution discussed herein are intended to provide academic and satirical consideration to a possible seniority enhancement strategy, together with the use of humor to highlight the issues contained in said hypothetical.

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

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

*** OPT - OUT *** Just hit reply and type in "Opt Out" in the subject line to be removed from this email list.

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

"Wax On, Wax Off"

Senior Ocean Lifeguards and Call Car Studs, Dom Holden and Jay Hopkins, showing how it's done at Central Section HQ, Nov. '07. It is the attention to detail, the start of shift vehicle prep. and check. Day in, day out. Repetition. That's the gist of "Wax On, Wax Off". The habits formed, the work ethic, the focus on service and care for the public that propels us forward each day to do the best we can and to be the best we can be, especially our full time S.O.L. and Command Staff.

"Wax On, Wax Off" is, of course, the humorous and good-natured reference to this dedicated effort that we all share, both recurrents and permanents.

Thank you Jay and Dom for your service, dedication and exceptional attitude.

By the way, you missed a spot on the front right wheel well.

Respectfully,

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

email: will.maguire@verizon.net

County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACoFD or LACOLA or the El Camino College History Dept.

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

*** OPT - OUT *** Just hit reply and type in "Opt Out" in the subject line to be removed from this email list.

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

Echo Boomers Invade Rookie Swim Test !

Dateline: Saturday, September 27, 2008

I. RE: LACo Rookie Candidate Swim Test; Echo Boomer Invasion !

First, there was one and then there was a handful and then two handfuls!..... of the offspring or nephews or nieces of current or former LACo Beach Lifeguards! Never before has the LACo rookie candidate swim test been so heavily attended by the kids of our ocean warrior clan. As you may or may not know, this is the "Critical Mass" year of Echo Boomers, e.g., the offspring of baby boomers, the latter being, of course, the truly greatest generation to make a rescue or prevention or first aid.... woo hooooooooo !!!

Colleges across the nation reported the largest applications influx of ALL TIME for the Fall of 2007 for the '07/'08 school year. Consistent with this vital statistical data, the sons and daughters of our lifesaving brothers and sisters, having logged their own thousands of miles in the pool and the ocean during their own lifetimes in preparation for this vaunted opportunity, showing up in droves. "County Recurrent" News has been informed that among these Echo Boomers were the following individuals who successfully made the cut-off and qualified for the next stage (e.g., oral interviews, etc.):

1. Kailey Makuta, daughter of Capt. Jimmy Makuta, Ret.

2. Bill Robinson's sister's daughter (aka, his niece (note to self: duh!), SHELBY, niece of Capt. Billy Robinson, NOT RETIRED yet.

3. Kelly Jacobson, son of Capt. Jim "Jake" Jacobson, Ret.

4. Kyle Atkins, son of Capt. Kenny Atkins.

5. Scott Snyder, son of Zuma Recurrent Steve Snyder and "Nephew of Kenner".

6. Tommie Doman, Jr., son of No. Section Recurrent, Tom Doman, and nephew of Capt. Jim Doman, Ret.

7. Chris Barker, son of Capt. Bill Barker, Ret.

8. Laurie and Rob Cordobes' daughter (Laurie and Rob are both active recurrents).

and just in from confidential sources in So. Section.....

9. Recurrent Lifeguard Steve Propster's son.

10. Lyndsi Worthington, Capt. Steve Powell's cousin.

11. Julie Wynn, 19, granddaughter of retired permanent and recurrent lifeguard, Cal Porter, 85.

These are the rookie-candidates that "County Recurrent" News has been able to obtain through its confidential recurrent and permanent news sources. Other Echo Boomers may have also participated in this past weekend's rookie candidate swim.

"County Recurrent" will be keeping track of these Echo Boomers as they progress through the next phases and will keep you, the readership, informed as best we can.

II. BLAST FROM THE PAST: Can you name the Rookie-Candidate below from 1984 ?


Photo Clues: "Name that Rookie" showing us how it was done "back in the day" in 1984 when he successfully made the cut in the rookie candidate swim, finishing 10th overall, held that year in Hermosa Beach; and later earned First Place Honors in the Rookie School to follow that same year. *** Word also has it that they asked this rookie-candidate to lift his left leg and bark like a dog but that he instead started singing Kumbaya and then passed out and fell to the sand......"

Keeping you informed whether you want us to or not !

Over,


Will Maguire,
on behalf of COUNTY RECURRENT News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
email: will.maguire@verizon.net

Disclaimer: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACoFD or LACOLA or the El Camino College History Dept.

*** Complete and utter fabrication. Photo courtesy of Steve Hotchkiss, aka the face in the photo above. Used here with permission.