Celebrating Lifeguard Ben Carlson
Having been a former beach lifeguard (LACO), the death of Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson, really hits home. Ocean lifeguards know what it is like to be pounded by large surf, sometimes so large that all you can do is hold your breath while being taken for a ride, while trying to get to swimmers in trouble. Seeing that a seasoned lifeguard did not make it back to the beach makes me realize just how dangerous the ocean can be for anyone, regardless of experience. Yesterday there was a memorial paddle-out to honor him. There were over 1000 people in the water, including rescue boats representing most of the Southern California lifeguard services. Here are the aerial photographs I shot of the memorial service, which was right next to the Newport Beach pier.
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Close-up view of lifeguards spraying water on the paddlers at the Lifeguard Ben Carlson paddle-out in Newport Beach, California