Lions, Tigers, and Boats OH MY!!!!

There is no comparison to the sound produced from two Dories colliding! There is also no comparison to the sight of the bow of a Blue Dory drilling the broadside of a white Dory in the surfline on its way out to sea! This was just one highlight of an amazingly-spectator-leaned Intercrew Championship Relay.

The question was posed, "Can Venice make it three in a row?"; sporting the better part of an Olympic swim crew, surf-savvy board crew, and a near flawless boat team - YES, is the simple answer. But, They were not unchallenged in their pursuit.

Dockweiler, aka Carnage Asada, pushed the pace - and maybe a boat broadside - and forced Venice into overdrive to claim their title.

Altogether the night was a great success for all parties involved - great racing, a little bit of contact (I have an 8inch laceration on my right ribs from someone's nail in the Shallow-Water-Sprint - gotta love when rugby and swimming mix!), some surf - and the boat carnage that went with it - made this an unforgettable night.

Congrats to Venice on their win; Dockweiler for making them earn it - and adding some flair in the boats and on the exit; and to my Crew - The Baywatch Crew, amazing what can happen when WE stick together!

International Surf Festival

Will this be a Three-peat Year?! After claiming the Bud Stevenson Intercrew Championship Trophy 2 years running, the Lifeguards of Venice Beach have their sights set on making it 3-in-a-row this Friday night at Manhattan Beach Pier.

But, they are not alone in their search for victory. The contingent from Manhattan will look to break through to the top after knocking on the door the last year. However, no team is really out of the running when it comes to this event. The Manhattan Beach Pier always lends itself to a little bit of surf on nights when lifeguards race. Every Team is only a Wave Away from victory - or defeat.

Friday nights' progresion of events will provide a ltany of entertainment for the evening. Starting out with a rescue demonstration by members and assets from our L.A. County Fire Dept. Lifeguards and the US Coast Guard--Sector Los Angeles.

Whoever said swimmers cannot run, never watched the 6-man run relay. Can the Guards of Dockweiler claim another another as the fastest on sand. The sand will fly from the heels of these, and other Guards, in the pursuit of speed.

It was probably the same guy who thought that swimming was NOT a contact sport. Bodies will mix and collide in the 4-person shallow water sprint relay...1 catch - the total age of the 4 members of each team must add up to 125 years.

No age minimums or limits - just pure, simple, SPEED will show itself during the 6-man Board Relay. The simple out-&-back format of this race is always a crowd pleaser, as spectators can line up along the pier for an over-the-top view.


Will surf dictate the pace? The mix of fiberglass, surf, bodies, and speed is sure to provide an elixir of sheer athletic satisfaction. The perfect appetizer for a weekend full of excitement!

A Preview of Upcoming Events

As the Summer continues to flow, many athletes in Southern California are seeing the light at the end of the summer competition tunnel. Hampered by injuries, but buoyed by an amazing work opportunity, I have missed most of this year's competition. However, there are certain events that could never be missed without being confined by hospitals or handcuffs.

Next week marks another year in the continuing saga of the International Surf Festival, held throughout the South Bay, Friday July 31st through Sunday August 2nd. While there are numerous events that are held during the festival, Three stand out for me: the Bud Stevenson Lifeguard Intercrew Medley Relay, The Judge Irving Taplin Lifeguard Championship Relay, and the Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim.

Each of these events carries its own storied history and tradition, and each its own mark of pride for its Champions.

Leading up to the start of the "Weekend of Champions", previews of each of these three events will be posted.