after the break....

it has been quite a while since my last post, for that I apologize. But, to give the 90 second (or so) recap since the last post here we go.... (think voice over from the 'micro-machines' guy)

Central Section won the Taplin Bell in decisive fashion, but, South bay went 2nd and 3rd with a strong presence from the younger Guards - Big Props to all who came out to race, watch and support...Sean Lemm won the pier-to-pier swim, separating himself from his closest competitors in the final 3oo-meters...I finished out in solid 4th... 4 days later came USLA Nationals in Ft Lauderdale, Florida...

Huge congrats to Monmouth County, NJ for clinching the OPEN Point Score Title - That's right, LACOLA came in second in the open - BUT, thanks to our Age Groupers, LACOLA still won the OVERALL Championship Title....personal highlights, after 19 races, multiple gallons of fluid, almost the same amount of WATERMANS sunscreen, I was happy to climb up to an overall 6th open points scorer, with an epic debut in the American Ironman finishing 5th... Congrats to Dave Cartlidge and JVD for their AMAZING 2nd place finish in the Open Surf Boat, and props to all of our Young and oldER Guards for coming out to race, hangout, and have an amazing trip to sweltering Ft Lauderdale, FL...

Then came a week of severe illness brought on by "Overtraining" - yes racing TOO much can happen....

Then JAPAN!!!! ooooooooooooh Japan.....

(what?! I can't give it all away in one post can I?!)

The Bell

Saturday Night

Chop or smooth; Swell or flat; Currents or stillwater - The Judge Irvin Taplin Relay will always bring the best competitors to the forefront. Velzy, Doyle, Kahn, Donahoe, Rink, Fortune, Solberg, Baker, Gair. Legends of Surf and Surf-lifesaving, These are but a pin-prick of the talented and determined lifeguards who have proudly rung The Bell.

Northern held the Bell for nearly a decade; Southern a bit longer than that; Central claimed The Bell with authority last year. Who will take The Bell Home Tonight is anyone's guess. But, when there's surf involved, that's all it will be - a guess.

Lifeguards, Watermen, Athletes of the highest caliber will fight for the right to put their names onto The Taplin Bell.

Can Central Repeat? Can South Bay put a Second Woman onto The Bell? Will Zuma push back into their glory-days of old? Can a non-laco team lay claim for the first time since '87 - and the establishment of the Mitch Kahn Rule?

Tonight at 7pm at Manhattan Beach Pier - Let the Games Begin!!!!

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.