Ben Did Go 9.0

Excited to be a part of the Ben Did Go event for the 2nd time paddling 30 miles from Catalina to Newport to raise money for the Ben Carlson Foundation. Last year was such a rewarding experience. The funds raised for the foundation go to supporting national/international water safety initiatives, lifeguard educational scholarships and is supporting the Junior Guard program in providing scholarships to Junior Guards. 

I was a Newport Beach Lifeguard for 10 years and was fortunate to have worked with Ben at the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Program as a fellow instructor.

Ben's Story: It occurred at the end of a busy 4th of July weekend that was marked by warm conditions, abnormally large and turbulent surf, and giant crowds. Newport Beach Lifeguards made 562 rescues that holiday weekend. Many of those were dramatic lifesaving events that resulted in relieved and reunited families, but the next rescue would not.   At 5:15 pm, Newport Beach Lifeguards Ben Carlson and Gary Conwell were patrolling beyond the large surf in a NBLG rescue boat when they spotted a distressed swimmer. Ben jumped from the boat and after a long swim made contact with the man.  As they began to make their way back out to the rescue boat, both were hit by a large wave and taken over the falls.  

The distressed swimmer made it to the surface and was rescued, but Ben was missing. A 3 hour search ensued that included members from 7 agencies including Newport Beach Lifeguards, Fire, Police, Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol, Huntington Beach Lifeguards, Laguna Beach Lifeguards and State Parks. Ben was eventually located more than a half a mile away from the original rescue location at 8 pm and was transported by Newport Beach Paramedics to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. He was the first and only Newport Beach Lifeguard to die in the line of duty since the service was formed in 1923. 

I hope you'll join me in raising money for this worthy cause that honors Ben's legacy. 

A few photos from Last Year's Paddle!