Porter Hogan, of Laguna Beach, and Jake Miller, a lifeguard from the South Bay, both wear white caps as they compete during competition against Australian guards. Photo courtesy Ryan Gates/California State Lifeguards
By LAYLAN CONNELLY | [email protected] | Orange County Register
Imagine going to the beach and looking up where rip currents are, in real time, on your cellphone.
Or being able to know how many beach rescues have been done, up-to-the minute, along the entire California coastline.
A handful of Southern California lifeguards got a glimpse into how lifesaving is done on the other side of the world during an exchange program off the Australian coast, learning lessons they hope can be implemented off local waters.
“They do such next-level stuff,” said California State Parks educational officer Ryan Gates, who is based out of Crystal Cove State Beach. “You can see on a computer screen what is happening, when it is happening. There’s definitely value in it. It’s a matter of infrastructure, funding and a lot of groundwork before it happens (here). It’s not something we could do overnight, but it’s something we can look forward to and say, ‘This is the future.’”
Gates was one of 16 lifeguards from Orange County, South Bay and Los Angeles beaches who participated in the exchange program with Victoria lifeguards in Australia, a program that happens every two years.
“We were treated like royalty, everyone knew the Californians were in town,” Gates said.
In 2020, local guards will return the favor and host a group from Down Under when they come to California.