Chris Shea Fundraiser for the Ben Did Go 10.0

I’m crossing the Catalina Channel on a prone paddleboard to honor the legacy of Ben Carlson—a heroic Newport Beach lifeguard who tragically lost his life on July 6, 2014, while rescuing a swimmer in dangerous surf. Ben was the first and only Newport Beach lifeguard to die in the line of duty since the department was founded in 1923.

This 30-mile paddle on September 13th, 2025 from Catalina Island to Newport Beach is part of the annual “Ben Did Go” event—now in its 10th year—started by my friend Spencer Pirdy. I’ve always been afraid of this challenge. The distance, the conditions, the mental and physical demands—it’s far outside my comfort zone. But this year, I’m choosing to step into that fear and charge the channel.

Ben lived to protect others in the water. I’m paddling to honor that kind of courage and to support a cause that continues to save lives.

The Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation (BCMSF) was created to carry on Ben’s legacy through ocean safety education, scholarships, and global support for lifeguard programs. The Foundation provides swim lessons for underserved youth—creating a pathway to junior lifeguards and a lifelong respect for the ocean.

If you love the ocean, this is a cause you should support. By donating or sharing Ben’s story, you’re helping keep his spirit alive—and making the ocean a safer place for all.

Please help me, every dollar has an impact.