The Lifeguard Project

Welcome to the first "Expression Session" a Lifeguard Project mini podcast "session" designed for bite sized lifeguard topics and interesting information to fit into your day. We will be featuring all sorts of lifeguard topics and ideas as well as micro-learnings, and much more! Have an idea? Reach out!

Topic: Tips on applying for The Ben Carlson Scholarship.

This scholarship is for 3 open water lifeguards who will each be awarded $20,000 to help pay for college! Any lifeguard agency in the world is eligible.

https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org/scholarship

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must have past or present participation in a junior lifeguard program or past or present employment as an open water lifeguard (river, lake, ocean). Pool lifeguarding and/or certification are not considered. 
• In order to apply, candidates need to attend a four-year post-secondary school during the 2025/2026 academic year as a full-time undergraduate student pursuing their first undergraduate degree. This scholarship will not be awarded to students attending community college or trade schools, or for graduate education. Students will be required to submit proof of admission, and registration or a course schedule that shows adequate units enrolled prior to disbursement of funds. 
• Applicants must be a current high school senior or undergraduate student. Students continuing or applying to graduate schools will not be considered. 
• Applicants must demonstrate a strong work ethic, independence, academic rigor and promise, athleticism, and service to the community. 
• High School students must have a minimum unweighted 3.2 GPA, and undergraduate students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be taking a full-time academic course load. Transcripts will be required for all scholarship finalists. Please report accurately on your application. 

Ed Vodrazka (Eddie V) is a "lifeguard for life" with an extraordinary 47-year career. Born to immigrant parents in Canada, he became an ocean lifeguard in 1976 and went on to make history as the first paid foreign lifeguard in New Zealand in 1979. Ed’s career spans iconic roles, from California State Lifeguard to a permanent Peace Officer Lifeguard at San Diego’s coast, to working with LA County on Malibu and Zuma beaches. Along the way, he became a Registered Nurse, specializing in cardiology, and taught lifeguard training across the state for over 25 years. He’s personally trained over 6,000 lifeguards and was honored as “Educator of the Year” by California EMSA in 2017.

A passionate advocate for lifeguard culture and education, Ed has written two influential books about stories and recollections throughout his career that unlock a unique glimpse into lifeguard culture, Stories from Sea Level and One Guard Out. His grassroots style and inspirational messaging have made him a sought-after speaker and trainer. Ed is also a family man, married to Jennifer, with two children, Jade, a State Lifeguard and nursing student, and Charlie, a high school student interested in film editing.

Today, Ed's stories take us through an unexpected start in lifeguarding, the golden years of lifeguarding in the 70's, talks about life and death, as well as some sneak peaks into his two books.

Thank you for listening!

Stories From Sea Level:

https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Sea-Level-Adventures-Californias/dp/B08ZBPK834

One Guard Out:

https://www.amazon.com/One-Guard-Out-Lifeguards-Californias/dp/B0B4SJH6DH

Alex began his lifeguarding career after playing water polo at the University of the Pacific. Inspired by his brother, a California Parks lifeguard in Santa Cruz, Alex started working as a lifeguard in Santa Cruz in 2013. He quickly became immersed in the ocean community as a lifeguard, surfer, and body surfer, eventually rising to a supervisor role.

In March 2017, Alex transferred to North County San Diego. On August 17, 2017, while body surfing during a physical training break, he struck a sandbar and was knocked unconscious. When he regained consciousness, Alex experienced one of the most profound moments of his life—an intimate firsthand perspective of drowning, being rescued by bystanders, and ultimately, by his fellow lifeguards.

After being treated for a severe spinal injury, Alex embarked on a long and challenging recovery. He learned to walk again and has since made remarkable strides both personally and professionally. Today, Alex continues to inspire others with his story of resilience, recovery, and the powerful lessons he's learned about life, death, and the importance of training for emergencies.

Join us as Alex shares his incredible journey and the profound impact his rescuers had on his recovery. This is a powerful story of courage, determination, and the life-saving importance of being prepared to act when a rescue is needed.

Chief Scott Haberle serves as the Fire Chief for the City of Huntington Beach and has a strong track record of effective citywide collaboration resulting in enhanced emergency service delivery and leadership development. His 32-year fire service career has given him a wide variety of experience.

Today, Chief Haberle discusses his take on leadership throughout EMS, Fire, and how it all fits into lifeguarding. Frankly speaking this conversation can benefit anyone, in any rank, of any field, as Chief Haberle expands the subject of leadership which can be applied throughout all service based professions.

What I find to be unique about Chief Haberle is that he has worked his way through the ranks as Firefighter, Fire Inspector/Fire Investigator, Paramedic, Fire Captain, Fire Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Chief for the city of Monterey Park. He even put his time in as a pool lifeguard. Now he is ultimately responsible for the Huntington Beach Marine Safety Division as an integral part of the Fire Department.

He holds an associate degree from Rio Hondo College; a bachelor’s degree from California State University Long Beach; a master’s degree in public administration from University of La Verne; and the Executive Fire Officer certification from the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Thank you for listening!

This episode recounts a firsthand point of view from David Villareal, who was rescued by the Newport Beach Lifeguard's after being sucked out by a strong rip current. The rescue happened on July 6, 2024, the 10 year anniversary of the death of Ben Carlson, a Newport Beach Lifeguard who died in the line of duty while making a rescue.

July 6, 2024 brought a heat wave with large swell and massive beach crowds to Newport Beach, CA. David was caught rip current, struggling to stay afloat, when the quick actions of lifeguards on the Sea Watch Rescue Vessel were able to reach him and bring him on board to safety. David had inhaled water and was eventually checked out by paramedics on the beach for a potential nonfatal, drowning episode.

David was gracious enough to share this intimate experience and speaks about the perspective he had with his interaction with the Lifeguards and their professionalism during this life changing moment.

This episode is critical for anyone who wants to learn about the often lost perspective of a rescue, the person who was saved. Many people will be able to learn and resinate with the simple actions and unsuspecting moments which David shares with us.

A big shoutout to the Newport Beach Lifeguards, Brandon Lagrotta, James Lewis, and Brendan Rafferty who performed this rescue and were able to objectively save David's life.

This conversation represents over 100 years of lifeguarding experience in a single room discussing virtually every aspect of lifeguarding. Mike Silvestri (Mestri) and Mike Brousard (Bruiser) are career lifeguards who began lifeguarding in California in the 1970's. They have been intimately involved in the profession and bring a whole new meaning to what it means to be "Lifeguards for Life".

"The Mikes" discuss everything from the early days of lifeguarding, how the job has changed, rescues, junior lifeguards, the first female lifeguards, and some of their best and worst days at work. This conversation is highly inspirational from two soulful humans who share their incredible perspective doing something that they truly loved. It will be hard to argue anything other than the fact that lifeguarding is the best job in the world once you have listened to this conversation!

Mike Silvestri is a CA State Lifeguard who began his career in 1971 in San Diego, CA. He served as a State Parks Peace Officer Lifeguard from 1981 to 2007 when he "retired" but currently remains involved in the State Parks Lifeguard Training Academy as a retired annuitant. Mike Silvestri has been involved in lifeguard training for over 45 years, training a conservative estimate of 5,000 guards throughout his career.

Mike Brousard began lifeguarding in 1970 and served as a California State Parks Peace Officer from 1977. In 1989 Mike Brousard became a rescue boat operator at Huntington State Beach and finished his career in San Clemente serving as Chief Lifeguard. Mike Brousard was also heavily involved in the CA State Parks Lifeguard Training Academy and taught along with Mike Silvestri for several decades. Mike Brousard has written two books about lifeguarding titled "Warm Winds and Following Seas" and "Neptune Wept" which showcase the profession through incredible storytelling. You can find the books for sale on amazon at the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mike-Brousard/author/B07NKV99PB?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

This podcast was recorded at Chobo Studios!

https://chobo.co/studios

Thank you for listening!

This conversation represents over 100 years of lifeguarding experience in a single room discussing virtually every aspect of lifeguarding. Mike Silvestri (Mestri) and Mike Brousard (Bruiser) are career lifeguards who began lifeguarding in California in the 1970's. They have been intimately involved in the profession and bring a whole new meaning to what it means to be "Lifeguards for Life".

"The Mikes" discuss everything from the early days of lifeguarding, how the job has changed, rescues, junior lifeguards, the first female lifeguards, and some of their best and worst days at work. This conversation is highly inspirational from two soulful humans who share their incredible perspective doing something that they truly loved. It will be hard to argue anything other than the fact that lifeguarding is the best job in the world once you have listened to this conversation!

Mike Silvestri is a CA State Lifeguard who began his career in 1971 in San Diego, CA. He served as a State Parks Peace Officer Lifeguard from 1981 to 2007 when he "retired" but currently remains involved in the State Parks Lifeguard Training Academy as a retired annuitant. Mike Silvestri has been involved in lifeguard training for over 45 years, training a conservative estimate of 5,000 guards throughout his career.

Mike Brousard began lifeguarding in 1970 and served as a California State Parks Peace Officer from 1977. In 1989 Mike Brousard became a rescue boat operator at Huntington State Beach and finished his career in San Clemente serving as Chief Lifeguard. Mike Brousard was also heavily involved in the CA State Parks Lifeguard Training Academy and taught along with Mike Silvestri for several decades. Mike Brousard has written two books about lifeguarding titled "Warm Winds and Following Seas" and "Neptune Wept" which showcase the profession through incredible storytelling. You can find the books for sale on amazon at the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mike-Brousard/author/B07NKV99PB?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

This podcast was recorded at Chobo Studios!

https://chobo.co/studios

Thank you for listening!

"Hey Lifeguard, are there sharks out there?!"

Dr. Chris Lowe, a distinguished figure in marine biology and the Director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach. He brings over 35 years of expertise in studying sharks, rays, and bony fishes, focusing on their behavior, physiology, and ecology. For the past 15 years, he and his students have delved into the world of juvenile white sharks along the southern California coast. Utilizing cutting-edge technology and educational tools, Dr. Lowe and his team collaborate closely with lifeguards and the public to demystify the lives of sharks and clarify the actual risks they may pose.

Dr. Lowe holds a BA in Marine Biology from Barrington College, an MS in Biology from CSULB, and a PhD in Zoology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His groundbreaking research has been showcased in Discovery Channel, National Geographic, BBC, and PBS programs, solidifying his role as a leading authority on sharks.

Today, we delve into how Dr. Lowe's research on sharks and stingrays has not only fueled our understanding of marine biology but also directly contributed to public safety measures. We explore the evolving perception of sharks—from fear to reverence—and the critical role that data plays in bridging perceived risk with actual risk.

Dr. Lowe discusses the unexpected intersections of increasing shark activity and human presence in our oceans, shedding light on why sharks may or may not pose a threat to humans.

Lastly, we address an urgent matter: the CSU Long Beach Shark Lab, where Dr. Lowe's vital research takes place, faces challenges in securing funding. We urge our listeners to consider supporting the Shark Lab in any way they can to ensure continued research and conservation efforts.

Mark Cunningham is a retired North Shore Lifeguard of 30 years, spending a majority of his career guarding the infamous surf break "Pipeline" at 'Ehukai Beach Park, Hawaii. Mark is well known for his contributions and accomplishments in the world of bodysurfing. Mark and I discuss his early roots in becoming a lifeguard, bodysurfing, lifeguarding on the North Shore, and how it has all shaped his life.

Sharon McKeeman is a mother, military spouse, author, and visual and performing artist. She has lived in Southern California with her husband, three sons, and daughter for almost 15 years. As a mother who came to learn about the ocean later in life, Sharon shares her perspective on the healing and relentlessness of the ocean which developed from watching her sons participate in junior lifeguard programs. Sharon shares stories of her own loss which led to signing up her sons in Junior Lifeguards in order to create a safe environment for them to learn about the ocean.

Sharon speaks about the unforeseen importance of life lessons which were taught through junior lifeguard programs as they connect future generations to their greater community and forge good humans. We speak about what it is like to watch her kids go from junior lifeguards to professional guards, and how they have leveraged that experience to their future through jobs and college acceptance. Sharon has a very unique perspective which allows her to encompass many important values in life and parenting through the path of becoming a lifeguard. A MUST listen for any parent!

You can experience more of Sharon’s story and follow her family’s adventures at @sharonmckeeman on Instagram, and online at www.sharonmckeemanphoto.com