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.

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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

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations

Dr. Will Koon is a beach Lifeguard from California who recently completed a dissertation titled "Expanding the Evidence Base for Coastal Drowning Prevention". Will currently works as the National Manager of Drowning Prevention Strategy for Royal Lifesaving Australia.

Drowning is recognized as one of the leading causes of accidental death internationally and we have little data to be able to direct the needed behavior changes to prevent it. Drowning is defined as "the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid" and has outcomes of being fatal, non-fatal, and non-fatal with morbidity (lasting health effects). Simply put it is a preventable process, and much more complex than most people realize.

Will and I discuss drowning as a world issue, gaps in the data, studies about surfers and their involvement in the drowning space, prevention measures, lifeguarding, and much more!

Thank you for listening! If you would like to see more please go to:

thelifeguardproject.org

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations

Welcome to The Lifeguard Project where we discuss the often misrepresented professional rescue work of Lifeguards. The project is aimed to educate and inspire while also speaking on topics regarding water safety as well as the global issues of drowning. That means almost any conversation regarding the ocean or water is on the table.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-lifeguard-project/donations