Surf's Up, Dude !

(Photo shows Early Surfboards Display at Kona Inn, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; Photo by and Copyright Will Maguire 2008. All Rights Reserved.)

February 24, 2009

Re: Surf's Up, Dude !

I. Check out the Surfing Heritage video on "Board Lineage" on YouTube presented by HAVOC Television at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itonIhbu0hk

in association with the Surfing Heritage Museum
http://www.SurfingHeritage.org


(Photo shows Partial Paddleboard Memorial Tribute for Paul Donahue, Sept. 2004 at Paradise Cove, Calif. ©Photo by Will Maguire 2004. All Rights Reserved.)

II. And if you haven't read it yet, check out "Cal Porter's Then And Now" blog post on "The Fin" which pretty much shatters the earlier timeline of the advent of the surfboard fin:

http://www.LocalBeachHotels.com

-click on Cal's Blog icon in left hand menu bar and then click on 'Surf Stories"

or try this direct link, if possible:

http://www.localbeachhotels.com/default.php?page=blog_view&var1=ViewCat&var2=1&var3=7

III. Sunset & Supper Board Meeting, Waikiki Beach, at the Surfboard Racks, Honolulu, Hawaii, Nov. 2008:


(Photo by and Copyright Will Maguire 2008. All Rights Reserved.)

Until next time...


"County Recurrent" News

http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
email: will.maguire@verizon.net

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

"Bonedog Millionaire" Sweeps The Squeegees !...

(Jake, at right, and Bone, celebrating the Squeegee Sweep by "Bonedog Millionaire", with Jake taking the call from the Academy with the head's up regarding said victory. Photo and Copyright Will Maguire 2008. Used here with permission. Reproduction without consent is prohibited.)

Dateline: Los Angeles, Calif. USA

""Bonedog Millionaire" Sweeps The Squeegees ! A Parody."

Actually, the Title of this Blog Post at the top is misleading. Completely, as a matter of fact. The headline is simply a send-up or parody of last nite's Academy Awards Most Celebrated Film, "Slumdog Millionaire".

Some of you are still perhaps wondering who then is Bonedog Millionaire"?

Think Baywatch and I don't mean the LACo rescue boats.


(Photo shows Chief Mike Frazer, Greg "Bone" Bonann and Jimmy Doman at the Invitation Only Private Screening of "Bonedog Millionaire" in Sept. '08 at Central Section HQ. Note: Recurrent Ron Pearlman working the door in the background. Photo and Copyright Will Maguire 2008. Used here with permission. Reproduction without consent is prohibited).


(Photo shows left to right: Ron Pearlman, Bone, and Tommy Olsen at the Annual Johnny Joseph Scholarship Dinner at Rusty's on the Santa Monica Pier, June '08, which Bonedog crashed and was hyping his film. Photo-Copyright Will Maguire 2008. All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission. Reproduction without consent is prohibited).

Until next time...


"County Recurrent" News

http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
email: will.maguire@verizon.net

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. ***

Mark Thompson On Lifeguarding and Slave Free Chocolate

(Photo Source: California Historical Society. Photo shows the Will Rogers Lifeguard Headquarters/Lighthouse of the 40's through early 70's)

Mark Spyder Thompson, Ph.d, (retired) County Recurrent, Professor, Roadie, Concert Promoter, Dead Head, Mountain Man, etc., et al... has been kind enough to share with us some photos and memories of his many days on the beach making rescues and chatting up young women at Will Rogers State Beach "back in the day" when Flanagan ruled Tower #17 and John Thomas perfected the one arm spiraling descent on the exterior WRHQ Lighthouse rescue pole during the heydays of Capt. Cuss, circa 1960's and early 70's.

I. Lifeguarding


(Photo courtesy of Mark S. Thompson. Per Mark, this "dory race photo was taken at Hubbell's Malibu Beach Surf & Sport Festival at Zuma in 1982.... Norton and I rowed all four legs of the one mile dory relay and finished in 3rd place, against six full teams." Photo used with permission. Reproduction without consent is prohibited.)



(Photo courtesy of Mark S. Thompson. Photo shows from left to right, Randy Allen (S.M. City and LACo Recurrent), Jimmy Doman (who requires no introduction) and Mark Thompson, in the early '70's at Tom Doman's house in Crowley Lake looking over a topo map for an anticipated backcountry trip. Photo used with permission. Reproduction without consent is prohibited).



(Photo courtesy of Mark Thompson. This photo shows what happens to you when you move to Seattle, I mean, Spokane and teach full time. In this photo, Mark is seen doing a Send-Up of Bruce Lee in his own version of "Enter The Shaman". Photo used with permission. Reproduction without consent is prohibited).



(Photo courtesy of Mark Thompson. This photo shows what happens to you when you decide to live and ski full time in Lake Tahoe. In this photo, Mark is seen doing a Send-Up of Ted Nugent, including the mandatory camo trucker's cap, sans deer rifle. Photo used with permission. Reproduction without consent is prohibited).

II. Slave Free Chocolate, by Mark S. Thompson, Ph.d

"Slave-free chocolate brands:

Equal Exchange (Whole Foods, New Seasons)
** Endangered Species (Whole Foods, Target, New Seasons)
Rapunzel (Whole Foods)
** Dagoba (at most Oregon grocery stores)
** Green and Black's (available at Target!)
Newman's Own (New Seasons, Whole Foods)
Cloud Nine
Tropical Source (New Season's, Whole Foods)
** Shaman
Any fair-trade certified brands (look for the black and white Transfair logo)

Legend:
** = my personal favorites, especially their really dark ones."

Dr. Mark's Bibliography/Further Information Resources:

http://www.slavefreechocolate.org/

http://www.slavefreechocolate.org/mission.html

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

Thank you, Mark, County Recurrent very much appreciates your participation and your contribution of content and photos, esp. the Classic shot of you and Wisdom !

Until next time...


"County Recurrent" News

http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
email: will.maguire@verizon.net

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


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The Blue Squeegee

"County Recurrent" is pleased to present its First Ever "Blue Squeegee" Award in recognition of a LACo Recurrent who has performed rescues that are both daring and life threatening to him or herself and the victim in distress. The Blue Squeegee also recognizes the recurrent who unselfishly gives of him/herself to better our profession, builds trust, is a team player and a leader. In short, The Blue Squeegee is awarded to the recurrent who kicks ass and takes names.

Since August 2008, "County Recurrent" has been fortunate to showcase and present a handful of daring multiple rescues sequences performed by numerous lifeguards. Here are the links to two blog posts in particular which, if you did not read them before, will now allow you an opportunity to decide for yourself the courage of this veteran County Recurrent at the moment of challenge:

http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2008/11/bill-asturius-on-memorial-day-1978.html

and

http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2008/11/it-was-dark-and-stormy-nite.html

And so without further adieu, the First Ever Blue Squeegee is awarded to
Bill Asturias.


(Photo of Bill Asturias "back in the day" with the Santa Monica City Lifeguard Service, circa 1973, at SMS Tower #26. Photo Courtesy of Bill Asturias)

Congratulations to Bill (aka, Billy; aka, Guillermo) ! The Blue Squeegee recognizes your courage vs. our greatest challenge: The Ocean Blue !


Until next time.....

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
email: will.maguire@verizon.net

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County Recurrent Presents: The Squeegee Awards

"County Recurrent" is pleased to present its First Annual Awards in Recognition of the Best Lifeguard Blog Posts for the year 2008. Whereas Hollywood presents the Oscars; Television, the Emmys; Broadway, the Tonys (x-ref: Whitmore)... today marks the beginning of a new era in celebration of Lifeguard Blogs as we proudly now present to you the Winners of this past year's County Recurrent "Squeegees", honoring the finest blog posts on lifeguarding during 2008.

A. BEST IN CLASS



1. The Golden Squeegee: Honoring the Finest Lifeguard Blog in terms of content (text, photos, links), volume of production, quality of effort, regularity of production.

No Question.... It is "Cal Porter's Then And Now", as presented and hosted by Ray Sheehan's, LocalBeachHotels.com.
http://www.LocalBeachHotels.com


(Photo of Cal Porter "back in the day"; Photo Courtesy of Cal Porter)

2. The Silver Squeegee
Capt. Jeff's Tales of the beach, the sea, diving, etc. is an epic adventure which he shares enthusiastically with his fellow reccurrents. If it weren't for Cal Porter, this Blog would have had the Gold !

The winner of the Silver Squeegee is: Captain Jeff McConnel's BlogBlog
http://JeffMcConnel.blogspot.com



(Photo of Capt. Jeff McConnel on board the Sea Smoke off Waikoloa on the Big Island of Hawaii, Nov. 2007. Photo by Will Maguire)

3. The Bronze Squeegee (sans blade) Third in line. If you don't see this blog in the future, then you will no doubt see it in the pasture. Which is not to say that it is not a good blog. It just isn't as good as #1 and #2.

The Bronze Squeegee goes to: "County Recurrent"
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

B. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

The Best New Blog on the Block is Micah Carlson's Blog, entitled, "Self-Inflicted Sunshine". Echo Boomer, twenty somethin' So. Bay LACo Recurrent, Micah Carlson, brings us the life and times of his era's lifeguard experiences.
http://self-inflictedmicah.blogspot.com
(Photo source: Courtesy of Micah Carlson)

C. BEST COMPETITION BLOG POST SERIES

Micah Carlson's "Coolangatta Gold" Blog Series. No Question !
Spectacular and Exciting ! LACo Recurrent John Fletcher gives it "Two Thumbs Up".
This story series begins with Micah's post, "The Gold":
http://self-inflictedmicah.blogspot.com/2008/10/gold.html

D. BEST LIFEGUARD RESCUE BLOG POST

Don "Rosie" Rosenthal's blog post on his Navy St. Pier Rescue, as presented by "County Recurrent."
http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2008/12/fear-and-panic-at-navy-st-pier-by-lt.html

E. THE BEST HISTORICAL BLOG POST

Cal Porter's "The Navy St. Lifeguard". Simply Magnificent ! http://www.localbeachhotels.com
(note: This blog post is featured with Cal's "Surf Stories" just below his story, "The Fin", which is also a must read for 2009).

F. FUNNIEST BLOG POST:

The Peterson Tube vs. The Burnside Rescue Can, as presented by County Recurrent, including the historical b/w photo of George Freeth with two junior lifeguards, as featured in County Recurrent.
http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2009/01/tube-vs-can.html

G. GREATEST LIFEGUARD TRIBUTE:

"My Mentor", by Jeff McConnel (A Tribute to Ed Perry, aka "The Admiral")
http://jeffmcconnel.blogspot.com/2008/11/my-mentor.html

H. BEST MULTIPLE POV RESCUE BLOG POST:

"Santa Monica South: Memorial Day 1978", as featured in County Recurrent.
http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2008/11/memorial-day-1978-rips-rescues-and.html

I. THE MOST INTERESTING BLOG IN THE WORLD:

Jeff McConnel's BlogBlog featuring tales from the land, the sea, travels here and there, at home and abroad. A Virtual Potpouri of content beyond the beach, including often spectacular photos.
http://JeffMcConnel.blogspot.com

J. BEST LIFEGUARD SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE BLOG POST:

None other than Bill Powers' critically acclaimed blog post, "The Offshores", as featured and first published by County Recurrent.
http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2009/01/offshores-by-bill-powers.html

Congratulations to all of 2008's Squeegee Recipients. Replica Squeegees are currently in production. In the meantime, isn't just the recognition the important thing.

p.s. *** Watch out next for the never seen before "Blue Squeegee" Award to be presented next week. ***


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

Jeff McConnel: Shark Diver

(Photo by and Copyright Jeff McConnel 2002. Used here with permission)

Papua New Guinea Diving 2002

If you are diver or enjoy reading about diving or like to see underwater photos, then you will not want to miss County Recurrent Jeff McConnel's latest blog post at:

http://jeffmcconnel.blogspot.com

and/or

http://jeffmcconnel.blogspot.com/2009/02/papua-new-guinea-diving-2002.html

Until next time.......

"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
will.maguire@verizon.net

Simon Says: Surf's Up !

Simon Snyder "In The House Of Sea And Foam"

Photo by and Copyright Nick Steers. Used here with permission.

"Simon Snyder, Looking Back On That Day"


Simon Says, in addition, to Nick's earlier remarks about that PWC training day at Zuma on Dec. 15, 2002:

"This was a big NW Swell that slipped by the Channel Islands. I showed up to Zuma that day and the tide was high and into the parking lot. The surf was 12’ to 18’ face surf with 9 second interval with slight offshore winds 5 knots or less. In between the set waves you couldn’t see the Baywatch Malibu mooring in front of Zuma Lifeguard Headquarters. I wanted to test my skills on the PWC and the PWC in these typical fall conditions at Zuma Beach. It was really hard to get out, therefore I did tight figure 8 turns in the foam until I could get into the drop zone and punch through some huge whitewash. I will send you the best picture that Nick sent that day.

Take care,
Captain Snyder
Northern Section Lifeguard Operations"

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

Dateline: Zuma, December 15, 2002

Re: PWC Training: Captain Simon Snyder, Operator; 15+ Foot Swell Zuma

Capt. Nick Steers, Ret., recently answered "County Recurrent's" halycon call for new content. And boy did he respond with some Righteous Zuma Winter Surf Photos and some text for us to enjoy ! Thanks Nick !

Take a breath now, ladies and gentlemen, because here we go, in the words of Nick himself, as follows:

"I remember looking at the surf that day. It was the biggest I'd seen it in a while. The tide was high and it was a December day. The crowd was minimal so training was appropriate. I asked Simon if he wanted to go out and train with the PWC. He was game. It took more nerve than what I had. I started shooting pictures and he kept on trying to get into the waves. He was able to find out that the new waverunner would handle well in any type of surf. Over the years we never had the opportunity to have training in that kind of surf.

Simon did an amazing job handling the surf with the PWC that day. Several weeks later in smaller surf we had an employee get hurt on the PWC. He bumped his face on the PWC handlebar. So the more training you get, the better you are at operating a useful piece of rescue equipment.

Nick"

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

I told ya so ! Now take a look at these next three (3) photos taken by Nick of Simon slingin' himself up and down the Zuma Winter Surf that day in Dec. 2002 ! Cowabunga, dude ! All Photos are Copyright Nick Steers 2002. All Rights Reserved. Used here with his permission. Reproduction without consent is strictly prohibited.

"In The House of Foam: Plowin' Thru the Ragin' Surf"
(aka, Beneath The Green Room)


"Too Fast and Too Talented"


"In The House of Foam... One More Time..."


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

Wow !... is Right ! I haven't seen surf that Big since 1976 during a Huge south summer swell on Santa Monica South ! Woo Hoo !!!

Seriously, though, This is Major League Righteous Zuma Winter Surf in the hands of a Righteously Talented SOL on a Department PWC. "Training" is key to our department's ability to protect the public. So what if Simon makes it look easy, even though it obviously is not. Thanks again to both Nick and Simon for showing us how its done !

Postscript: Bonann recovered from his (PWC Handlebar Facial) injury, but his face still hurts ! Hoh !

Until next time,


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
will.maguire@verizon.net

Service • Training • Commitment

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

"Bonus" Content:

August 2008: Jake's Retirement Party at Zuma: Photo shows
Zuma Beach "Red Cup" Crew. Note: Capt. Simon Snyder, off duty,
in attendance, to right of frame (below)