California Surf Lifesaving Association Newsletter Vol. 11 No. 2 Fall 2007 www.cslsa.org

Cal Surf Fall 2007

1

The CSLSA Executive Board of Directors for 2006-2007 are listed below:

Cal Surf Magazine

President

Rob McGowan

Vice-President

Charlotte Graham

Secretary

Mike Beuerlein

Treasurer

Rob Williams

Advisor

Bob Moore

1st Delegate

Chris Graham

2nd Delegate

Don Rohrer

3rd Delegate

Mike Bartlett

4th Delegate

Alex Peabody

Cal Surf News Magazine is the official publication of the

California Surf Lifesaving Association P.O. Box 366, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 www.CSLSA.org Fax (714) 374-1500

Executive Board: Rob McGowan - President Charlotte Graham - Vice-President Mike Beuerlein - Secretary Rob Williams - Treasurer Bob Moore - Advisor Chris Graham - First Delegate Don Rohrer - Second Delegate Mike Bartlett - Third Delegate Alex Peabody - Fourth Delegate

On the cover: Brian Murphy of LACOLA finishes hard and gets the stick from Judge Robert Torres. Photo by Richard Godino

Committee Chairs:

Inside the Cal Surf President’s Message

3

Note From Fellow Editor

4

From the Editor

5

Gear Guide

6

How to?

7

Santa Monica Lifeguard Service

8

Spring Meeting Summary

9

2007 Cal. Regional Lifeguard Championships

YOUR ARTICLES NEEDED! Online submission $50 for best article with photo. $75 for cover photo.

2

Cal Surf Fall 2007

12

Don Rohrer - Certification Jay Butki - Competition Jon Mitchell - Exchange Bill Richardson - Heroic Acts Alex Peabody - Legislation Charlotte Graham - Membership Richard Godino - Magazine Bill Humphreys - Public Education Mike Scott - Southern California Training Officers Reenie Boyer - Junior Guards Robert Moore - Website

Newsletter Editors: Editor Richard Godino, L.A. City

Staff Writers: Richard Hidalgo, Imperial Bch. Arthur Verge, L.A. County

Design & Typesetting: Jennifer Velasquez

Marketing & Promotion: Scott Hubbell The CSLSA is a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of California. Its principal goals are water safety, education, and the promotion of professional lifeguarding standards. These goals are accomplished primarily through beach safety presentations to school groups, educational exchange programs with members of the International Life Saving Federation and participation in regional and national competition.

ADVERTISERS B/W $125 for 1/2 page B/W $180 for whole page Color $250 for 1/2 page Color $350 for whole page

President’s Message by Robert McGowan It’s hard to believe another summer has come and gone already. They seem to go by faster every year. It was another good summer for the beaches of the Southwest Region of the USLA, with more record setting hot weather, warm water and extraordinary beach attendance. We did suffer a few drownings, but by and large, all of our beach visitors went home safely. We continue to strive for the perfect year, with no water related tragedies. Our regional Board of Directors meeting last April in Los Angeles County was one of the best attended I can remember. Thanks to CSLSA Vice President Charlotte Graham for setting it up and thanks to all of you that came and contributed to making it a successful meeting. Highlights of that meeting included the formation of an ad hoc committee to explore the possibility of creating consistent job titles between CSLSA lifeguard agencies. The purpose of the project is to help advance the professionalism of lifesaving in an effort to better serve the public. Consistency in job titles will help improve effective working relationships between departments and various agencies in emergency situations, reducing possible confusion over command roles due to discrepancies between job titles. It is recognized that the Incident Command structure used by public safety helps to alleviate this problem, however confusion over roles/titles often still exists. Scott Davey, L.A. County Lifeguard Section Chief and Bill Humphreys, San Clemente Lifeguard Marine Safety Chief cochaired the committee. The Public Education Committee distributed over

6,000 “Be Safe, Be Seen” posters and over 7,000 Junior Lifeguard artwork book covers. A special committee on statistics, chaired by Alex Peabody met. The goal of this committee was to attempt to standardize our statistics gathering and reporting protocols. The complete minutes of the meeting can be viewed on our website at www.cslsa.org/events/Spr07Minutes.asp. At our last two Board of Directors meetings we have discussed the budget and distribution method of the newsletter that you are reading. We increased the budget to add full color pages and to have the issues mailed to each member’s home address. This obviously increased the cost per issue significantly. I am a proponent of electronic distribution of the newsletter, but so far have yielded to the sentiment that members like to get a printed copy delivered to their mailbox. I would really appreciate some feedback from you, the members. Would you rather receive a printed copy in your mailbox, or would an electronic version available on the website suffice? The cost savings of the electronic version could be in the neighborhood of three to five thousand dollars per year! Thanks in advance for you input; please email me at [email protected] with your thoughts. At the Spring USLA meeting in Chicago we honored our long time USLA Treasurer Greg Farry who passed away shortly before the meeting with a memorial on the shores of Lake Michigan. Rob Williams, our regional treasurer, was subsequently elected to finish out Greg’s term, and he will hopefully be re-elected at the Fall

meeting. A motion to increase USLA dues to $30.00 per year starting July 1, 2008 passed unanimously. It should be noted that dues have not increased in over twenty years. A clinic for all USLA competition officials in attendance was held in conjunction with the Chicago meeting. The 2007 California Lifeguard Championships were hosted by the City of Huntington Beach on July 28. Thank you to Chief Kyle Lindo and the H.B. City lifeguards for their support of the event, and to Doug Leach and Melissa Murphy, H.B. City recurrent lifeguards, for all of their organizational efforts that helped make the event a success. Thanks also to H.B. State and Lon Graham for their cooperative efforts to make the Regionals the success they were. Several competitors and officials told me they thought it was the best Regional Championships ever. Scott Hubbell and his company SHP, Inc. provided funding, not only for our Regionals, Junior Lifeguard Regionals, and Nationals, but also for our membership kits. The weather was good, there was enough surf to make things interesting, and the competition was spirited. Approximately 120 competitors registered, and when the dust settled at the end of the day, LACOLA won the team championship by a large margin, followed by Cal State Parks, with Long Beach third. Host Huntington City came in fourth. The other top teams, as well as individual results are available for viewing on our website. Without the generous donation of the time and resources of to page 4... Cal Surf Fall 2007

3

Note From Fellow Editor Tyler McMahon, of Casagrande Press, is editing an anthology of surfing stories and is asking for input from California lifeguards. He is “seeking stories, articles, and essays on the general subject of surfing misadventures for publication in Surfing’s Greatest Misadventures: Volume 2. He is looking for non-fiction, first-person surf stories of bad judgment calls, pranks, comical/ironic episodes, disaster, attacking predators, misfortune, injury, loss of wit or

limb, panic, critical conditions, contest meltdowns, everyday fears, surf trips gone wrong or the out-of-water episodes that surround surfing.” Looks like a good opportunity to share your memory of some private or secret humiliation with thousands. Check out Volume 1 at www.thesurfbook.com. Stories can be submitted online at www.casagrandepress.com or call Ryan at (858) 736-9290. Deadline for submission is January 15, 2008.

President’s Message ... from page 3 your Executive Board and other volunteers, the Regional Championships would not be possible. In addition to current Executive Board members, my sincere thanks go to Bill Richardson the starter, Jay Butki for setting the course, former Executive Board member Vince Lombardi and L.A. County Captain, and former national champion Rob Torres for officiating, Gordon Gray for his efforts at the Registration Table, and Donna Richardson and the Huntington City volunteers who worked at the results table. If I’ve forgotten anybody, I apologize. Next year’s Junior Lifeguard Regionals and Lifeguard Regionals are scheduled for Seal Beach on July 25 and 26, 2008. The Junior Lifeguard Regional Competition was again hosted by Santa Barbara City on July 20. Although I was not able to attend, from all reports I heard, the event was well organized and very well run. Good job Santa Barbara, and thank you. Results are available on the Junior Lifeguard page of our website. The 2007 USLA National Lifeguard Championships were held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on August 9, 10, and 11. As seems to be the case when we travel to the east coast for Nationals lately, we were treated to record breaking heat and humidity. 4

Cal Surf Fall 2007

The local news stations were calling the heat “oppressive” and the heat index (temperature plus humidity) was 115 to 120 degrees the whole time we were there. The water conditions, with the short interval wind chop, radical lateral current, and 80º water temperatures proved challenging for even the top ocean athletes. In spite of the weather, the hospitality of the hosts was unsurpassed, and the organization and running of the event was outstanding. Special thanks to the City of Myrtle Beach, Horry County, George Lack and family and all of the sponsors for an excellent competition. Complete results can be found at www.uslanationals.org. The City of Newport Beach Lifeguards hosted our recent Regional Board of Directors Meeting October 11 and 12 at the beautiful Harborside Restaurant and Grand Ballroom on Newport Bay. It was a very productive meeting as well as an election meeting. The Executive Board was elected to serve you for the next two years (2008 – 2009). Re-elected were Rob McGowan as President, Charlotte Graham as Vice President, Mike Beuerlein as Secretary, Rob Williams as Treasurer and Alex Peabody as 4th Executive Delegate. New to the

Board are 1st Executive Delegate and Exchange Committee chairman John Mitchell, 2nd Executive Delegate Bill Richardson, former CSLSA and USLA President and current CSLSA Heroic Acts Committee chair, and Reenie Boyer, former member of the Executive Board and long time Junior Lifeguard Committee chair. I look forward to serving with these dedicated individuals over the next term, and would like to sincerely thank our departing Executive Board members Chris Graham, Don Rohrer and Mike Bartlett for their devoted service on the board. In closing, I would like to once again thank Scott Hubbell for all of his efforts in providing sponsorship for us. Our regional and national sponsors include Bud Light, Wet n Wild Cosmetics, Arrowhead, Patagonia, American Laser Centers, and Mini Cooper. Please support our sponsors and be sure to take advantage of the Patagonia Pro Program that you receive as a benefit of your USLA membership. Have a great winter and I’ll see you next Spring at the CSLSA Board of Directors meeting in Long Beach.

FROM THE EDITOR

Media: Necessity or Curse?

By definition, media is a source of communication. Ideally, an organized group, such as CSLSA, would utilize media, in the purest sense, to convey questions, decisions and ideas to the membership. Again ideally, the content of the media presented would reflect the contributions of the membership communicating to the membership. However, without those contributions, communication becomes the view of a very few. When I signed on as editor, my plan was to acquire those contributions. I felt responsible for 1) soliciting articles, 2) making grammatical corrections, 3) delivering a product for print, and 4) overseeing that production. My performance has been marginal at 3 & 4 and poor at 1. I’m pretty good at grammar though, being a baby boomer and all. But I’m distressed at my mediocre performance overall. We (Rich Hidalgo, my best collaborator, and I) have been able to enlarge Eric Sandy’s concept of agency profiles (to date Coronado, Solana, Santa Barbara, and this issue’s historical look at Santa Monica), and introduce new concepts (“Gear Guide” and “How To” in this issue) as well as topical articles (e.g. “Lifeguards for Louisiana” or “Refugio State Beach Junior Lifeguards”). The last issue was our first in color. It is our hope that these concepts and articles resonate with the membership.

Unlike other committees, however, the CalSurf is mostly a consumer and a luxury. Although it reports the events and history of the Association, it consumes budgeted funds, with a minimal financial contribution. The other committees either contribute revenue (Public Education through sponsorship; Junior Guards through dues) or use very little or no budget (Training, Treasurer, etc.). I have been given a budget (the first time that has happened, as far as I know), and, have either exceeded it or broken even (the tally is in the works). We have solicited nearly a hundred potential advertisers (30+ twice a year) with limited success. Where do we go from here? The most prominent suggestion to date is to go online. Obviously, this would save a considerable amount of money (typesetting and printing costs) and eliminate the need for advertisement. It would not eliminate the need for articles or reduce the workload of the editor and writers. But the feedback I have received (limited, in spite of a general query to all members) is overwhelmingly in favor of print. But print requires: 1) article submissions; and 2) advertising revenue. My emailed plea to members who attended the spring meeting brought in one article and no ads (excluding the usual contribution from Rich Hidalgo). I respect the fact that we are all busy with our jobs and lives. However, there are 27 chapters in CSLSA representing over 1,000 lifeguards…. who contribute less than 1% of the articles in each issue of CalSurf. Keep in mind that this newsletter is modeled after the classical definition of media. It is NOT a newspaper. There are no reporters or tiers of management. It is pure media - a collaborative means of communication. My apologies go to those who have contributed articles or arranged advertising over the years. I applaud your effort and dedication. However, more, much more, is needed to keep this process in motion. The CalSurf is a biannual testimony to the efficacy of our profession and the camaraderie of the Southern California lifeguard culture. Our members save thousands of lives, educate thousands of people, prevent thousands of accidents and continually provide the protective barrier between a wonderful day and a tragedy countless times every year. These stories need to be heard and memorialized. This newsletter is the history of what we do. I encourage all of you to be part of this living document.

Cal Surf Fall 2007

5

GEAR GUIDE By Richard Hidalgo As Lifeguards we are constantly looking for cutting edge products for our agencies and ourselves. This new GEAR GUIDE section of the CalSurf Newsletter is intended to inform California lifeguards about equipment, uniform items, etc. that are available. To let you know what’s out there and what works well…..without breaking the bank or your line item budget. Enjoy this issue’s offering, send feedback to let us know what you think. Now, check out our Lifeguard specific product review…

The line of Patagonia Wetsuits for the upcoming season is nothing short of stellar. Patagonia has once again stepped-up to the plate producing high quality products with the end-user in mind. Patagonia Wetsuits use the highest quality Japanese neoprene – made from 80% nonpetroleum based products and the inside is lined with merino wool. The end result is a super warm (The R2, a 2mm model is rated for 55-65 degree water), eco-friendly wetsuit that has less of a carbon footprint than your ’98 Tacoma. Patagonia is offering a full-line of men’s and women’s full suits, spring suits, and jackets/vests.

KUKU HOE SURFBOARDS The recent trend of stand up surfing and stand up paddling is gaining popularity at beaches and lakes nationwide. Steve Boehne of Infinity Surfboards in Dana Point, CA is one of the front-runners for SUP custom designs. Steve shaped his first board in 1960 and Infinity Surfboards soon followed behind. Infinity Surfboards trademarked label, Kuku Hoe, is a dedicated and core extension of this timeless Hawai’ian tradition here on the West Coast. Steve is currently shaping numerous SUP boards per week and literally can’t keep them on the shelves. A recent visit to the Infinity shop (located at 24382 Del Prado in Dana Point) exposed an entire wall rack full of SUP boards – approximately 15 boards with seven being custom orders ready to be picked-up. Boards are available in both polyester and EPS blanks (EPS blanks come with a vent to eliminate de-lamination) and can be custom ordered via the internet, walk-in, or over the phone. Kuku Hoe Surfboards also offers custom deck pads and Steve’s own “Ottertail” design paddles. More information can be found on the web at www.infinitysurf.com or call Steve at (949) 661-6699.

10’ L x 27” W with Blue Camo Paintjob with Thruster Fin Set-up

The Standard SUP Board – 12’ L x 29” W

GEAR GUIDE will be a regular section of the CalSurf. If you would like to have an item tested, reviewed, and included in the GEAR GUIDE section, or if you have any feedback please email [email protected].

6

Cal Surf Fall 2007

The Noserider – 11’ L x 28” W with a 22” Nose

How To? By Richard Hidalgo CalSurf is proud to present the new HOW TO? section in which we will be sharing advise on how to enhance the effectiveness of your lifeguard service. This issue’s topic is HOW TO?….. OUTFIT A PWC WITH GPS AND SONAR: The following is a brief synopsis of what is needed to install a GPS and Sonar unit on a PWC. The following instructions are intentionally brief due to the fact that each agency has different equipment. The following installation of a Garmin 440S was performed on a 2008 Yamaha FX 1100 High Output. Questions can be referred to your owner’s manual or local shop. Part numbers are supplied for specific parts purchased from West Marine – AGAIN, ALL PARTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON EQUIPMENT Be advised that if you decide to approach this task, have an open mind and a willingness to adapt as you progress. This endeavor took a minimum of 30 hours and 4 lifeguards to complete. The tricky part was moving ahead with the project in spite of the fact that you have to completely dismantle a perfectly running PWC to mount almost all of the equipment. Obviously, a supportive upper management team is a huge advantage. Even after support is garnered, unseen hurdles are almost guaranteed. The reward, however, is well worth the risk – a rescue PWC capable of more than anyone ever imagined. Items required for the install: 1. GPS unit 2. Transducer with transom mount (Garmin Part # 01010272-00) 3. Various Screwdrivers 4. Various Sockets 5. Wire Cutters 6. Wire Strippers 7. Soldering Iron 8. Solder 9. Heat Shrink 10. Electrical Tape 11. Water Proof Toggle Switch (West Marine Part #1945864) 12. Toggle Boot (West Marine Part #1955038) 13. Red 16-Gauge Wire 25ft Spool (West Marine Part #106179) 14. Black 16-Gauge Wire 25ft Spool (West Marine Part #106187) 15. 1, 16-Gauge Ring Terminal 16. 2, In-line Waterproof Fuse Holder (West Marine Part #191637) 17. 2, 15 Amp Automotive Style Fuses 18. Black Marine Grade Silicone

Optional Equipment for Installation of Auxiliary Battery (recommended): 1. Group PWC Battery 19AH (West Marine Part #3782612) 2. Battery Box (West Marine Part #406314) 3. Battery Isolator 4. 8’ of 8-Gauge Duplex Wire (West Marine Part #179465) 5. 4’ of 8-Gauge Red Battery Wire 6. 5, 8-Gauge Battery terminals 7. 2, In-line Waterproof Fuse Holder (West Marine Part #191637) 8. 2, 15 Amp Automotive Style Fuses 1. Choose a location to mount the GPS Unit. We chose the waterproof bin with lid under the handlebars. We used the dash mount to secure the GPS unit to the bottom of the bin, cutting holes in the side of the bin to allow access to LG Todd Lange redesigning our the screws that attach waterproof bin to house the GPS unit the unit to the mounting hardware. 2. Follow the directions with the GPS unit on how to identify which wires you need. If you are going to use the GPS unit without a VHF radio, only the 12v constant and ground wire are needed. 3. Take the 12v constant wire, and then solder and heat shrink an inline fuse holder on it. Now is a good time to locate the mounting spot for the toggle switch. We chose an unused plate on the dash. 4. Next, figure how much Water Proof Toggle Switch (West red 16-gauge wire you Marine Part #1945864), Toggle need and complete Boot (West Marine Part #1955038) the wiring process for located on the dash power to the toggle switch and GPS unit. This is where you need to make a decision as to whether or not you are going to need to add an auxiliary power source. If you decide to go with the original battery, you to page 10... Cal Surf Fall 2007

7

The Santa Monica Lifeguard Service - 1933–1974 By Arthur Verge Whenever I see a resmunicipal lifeguard service cue tube at pool or in use met with success. In the by a lifeguard on a beach, I midst of local government cannot help but think of downsizing, city officials in Cap Watkins and the Santa Santa Monica created the Monica Lifeguard Service. lifeguard service to conOften forgotten today, the tend with large numbers of Santa Monica Lifeguard daily beachgoers, many of Service was one of the whom found the beach a more colorful and accomplace of solace and fun in plished lifesaving services the midst of the country’s in California surf history. economic calamities. Among its membership was Watkins’ first crew Santa Monica Lifeguards a wide array of individuals numbered just under whose accomplishments would help to professionalize ocean twenty lifeguards. However, given the lack of job opportunilifesaving. ties, “Cap,” as he was affectionately called by his crew, was Although officially founded as municipal lifeguard service able to have in his words, “the pick of the litter” when hiring in 1933, volunteer lifeguards led by George “Cap” Watkins the Santa Monica lifeguard crew. Included in this inaugural began patrolling the popular shoreline at the turn of the 20th group was legendary waterman Pete Peterson. Winner of the Century. Watkins, who would lead the service until his retirefirst Pacific Coast Surfing Championship in 1932, Peterson ment in 1955, was known for covering the 2.5 mile beach on would create for his crew mates an inflatable rescue tube, horseback, often galloping to rescues to aid those in need. freeing the guards from using the heavy and dangerous With the turn of the century more and more people began to metal rescue can. However, when one tube popped during a shed their Victorian attitudes in favor of sunning themselves difficult under the pier rescue, Peterson, ever the tinkerer and and swimming in the ocean. And the advent of the then midinventor, came back with a neoprene rescue tube that dle-class affordable automobile resulted in beach attendance remains in worldwide use today. Also aiding the Santa that began to soar during the 1920’s. Along the once relative- Monica crews’ rescue efforts was the first worldwide use of ly vacant Santa Monica shoreline, several large beach clubs Churchill rescue fins. Donated by its inventor in the 1930’s, sprouted up, each with its own swimming beach and lifecrewmembers popularized its use in movies and for special guards. It was Watkins who worked to organize these various operations during the Second World War. club lifeguards into a comprehensive rescue force. His efforts, Adding to the color of the Santa Monica Lifeguard Service however, were often hindered by club rivalries, varying pay was their close ties to the movie industry. Many of the crew scales, and hours of operation. supplemented their lifeguard earnings by working as stuntIronically it wasn’t until the height of the Great men in the neighboring movie industry. Among the celebrities Depression that Watkins’ efforts to organize a professional to work out and spend time with the crew were both Johnny Weissmuller and Buster Crabbe. In fact, both Olympic swimmers were sworn in as honorary lifeguards and both served as swim coaches for the crew. Also joining in with the crew for parties at Cap Watkins’ beach house was his close friend Governor Earl Warren. Their lifelong friendship played an important role in allowing “Cap” to work until his 70th birthday as the crew’s leader. During the 1950’s through the 1960’s, Santa Monica lifeguards continued to excel in both competition and in the sport of surfing. Included in the Santa Monica lifeguard surfing lineage are Tom Blake (who worked as a club lifeguard alongside his close friend Duke Kahanamoku at the Santa Monica Beach Club), Pete Peterson, Sam Reid, Tom Zahn, Buzzy Trent, Joe Quigg, Matt Kilvin, Peter Cole and world Captain Watkins to the rescue

8

Cal Surf Fall 2007

to page 9...

The Santa Monica Lifeguard Service ... from page 8 champions Mike Doyle and Ricky Grigg. It can be argued that no other lifeguard service had such an impact on the sport of surfing than did Santa Monica’s. Despite their success in competition and providing a safe beach, the Santa Monica Lifeguard Service, found itself plagued by lack of adequate funding. In search of better equipment and salaries, Santa Monica lifeguards campaigned for a merger with Los Angeles County. Their efforts succeeded on July 1, 1974 when Santa Monica’s service was merged into Los Angeles County’s. Although the merger brought with it much needed financial resources and equipment, Santa Monica lifeguards young and old alike fondly recalled the family-like work atmosphere in which everyone knew one another and each of their families. Arthur Verge is the author of the new book, Santa Monica Lifeguards (Arcadia Publishing). It is available at local bookstores and Amazon.com. Verge is full-time Professor of History at El Camino College in Torrance, CA. He was a Santa Monica lifeguard and has been with the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Service since 1974.

George Watkins ready with the landline crew

Spring Meeting Summary By Richard Godino The Spring Board of Director’s Meeting was hosted by the Los Angeles County Fire Department – Lifeguard Division on April 12th and 13th. President Rob McGowan started the meeting by summarizing the previous six months of activity and previewing events of the upcoming summer. Notable among the summary was the presentation of the Medal Valor to L.A. County lifeguard Joel Gitelson at the Fall USLA meeting for a heroic rescue on Santa Barbara Island during a storm. The preview included the announcement of the Regional Championships to be held at Huntington City. Included in the preview announcements is the upcoming first International Life Saving World Water Safety (WWS) Conference to be held in late September in Porto, Portugal. Rob also gave a nod to Scott Hubbell of SHP, Inc. who was able to secure Patagonia as a sponsor (USLA membership allows use of the long awaited Patagonia Pro Program providing great discounts to members) in addition to a continuing relationship with Da Fin. Vice President Charlotte Graham pitched the National Beach Safety Week and pulled together all the membership kit materials for distribution to the Chapters. Past President/Advisor Bob Moore thanked Bill Richardson for his exhaustive work on the CSLSA Policies and Procedures and, along with Treasurer Rob Williams, talked about budgetary concerns. First Executive Delegate Chris Graham passed one of the

balls he was keeping in the air to another member (the Exchange Committee is now chaired by Jon Mitchell of Newport Beach), but continues his work on Chapter/Agency contact info, test dates and salaries. Notable Committee Information: Competition Committee (Chair Jay Butki) – Competition calendar was distributed and rule changes (Rescue Race and Beach Flags) were discussed. Newsletter Committee (Chair Richard Godino) – Acquiring advertisers is still a major concern. Public Education Committee (Chair Bill Humphreys) – Duke’s Big Wednesday fund raiser generated $8,000. Legislative Committee (Chair Alex Peabody) – In committee there was a lively discussion, primarily led by Rick Gould, about the importance and methodology of statistics. The Fall Meeting concluded the next day at the L.A. County Lifeguard Training Center. Committee reports were submitted and summarized by the chairs of the committees that met. Prior to the close of the meeting, Bill Humphreys discussed the full time employee position matrix that Orange County developed and is using to help bring comparable positions and titles into alignment. L.A. County Section Chief Scott Davey accepted the responsibility of developing something similar for the four agencies in Los Angeles County. The meeting was adjourned.

Cal Surf Fall 2007

9

How To ... from page 7 need to run the wiring back through the engine compartment, taking care to zip tie the wire out of the way. Now is also a good time to solder, heat shrink, and run the ground wiring for the GPS unit. You need to add the 2nd inline Optional Auxiliary Battery for fuse holder before GPS Unit in Battery Box located in connecting the red front hatch lead from the toggle switch to the battery. 5. Put in the 15 amp fuses into the holders and flip the toggle switch. To turn on the GPS, hold the power button down until you see the screen light up. If it turns on, you are good to go. 6. Now you need to figure out where you Flush mount GPS unit want to mount the transducer for the sonar. We chose the mount for the climb up handle we took off on the rear of the boat. We had to fabricate a bracket to allow us to mount it properly and securely. You need to make sure it is mounted high enough so that it does not hit Mounting assembly for the transthe sand when you ducer on the back of the PWC. beach the boat and far Notice the custom metal plate sepenough away from the arating the unit from the existing jet that it doesn’t mounting location for a climb up interfere with the handle that was removed. sonar operation. 7. Once you figure out where you want to mount your transducer, you have to drill a LARGE hole to allow the line to run through the hull. Some modification of the transducer plug may be necessary to properly fit and keep the hull watertight (rubber grommets or plastic hull through grommets can work well and can be sized to the hole that is drilled for

10

Cal Surf Fall 2007

a snug fit). Secure the hull and silicone thoroughly both the inside and outside of the hull. You need to let the silicone dry for at least 24hours to cure. 8. Hook up the transducer line to the back of the GPS unit and button up the PWC. Silicone curing on the inside of the hull 9. Double-check all connections and wires. Make sure they are tight, and clear from anything that may damage them. 10. Take it out and run it...

Final Result

Optional Installation of Auxiliary Battery: Adding the auxiliary battery is simple: Find a good mounting spot, run the toggle switch wiring to the auxiliary battery. Run the 8gauge duplex wire from the positive and negative terminals of the auxiliary battery to the area Battery Isolator, In-line Waterproof of the original battery. Fuse Holder, and wiring returning Attach the red duplex to front hatch and Auxiliary Battery. wire to the battery isolator, black duplex wire to the negative of the original battery, and another line of red 8-gauge wiring to the isolator from the positive terminal of the original battery. Make sure to fuse the “hot” red lines for each battery as close to the battery as possible. Please feel free to email any suggestions for the HOW TO section to [email protected].

Cal Surf Fall 2007

11

2007 CALIFORNIA REGIONAL LIFEGUARD CHAMPIONSHIPS July 28, Huntington City Huntington City was the excellent host of the ’07 Regionals. LACOLA garnered it’s usual first place with 934.5 points. Cal State was second with 297. Long Beach, Huntington City, Port Hueneme, San Diego, Seal Beach, USOS and L.A. Lakes were the remaining nine chapters competing.

Jeff Hart starts the Rescue Race for LACOLA

Last minute repairs before Surfboat race

Taplin competitors await their turn

Haulers during Landline

Jeff Monroe mid-race

12

Cal Surf Fall 2007

LACOLA 2nd place Landline team (Scott Bender and Dave Cartlidge carry victim Tracey Crothers as rescuer Micah Carlson follows