July 16-17, 2011
Ocean Festival
e d i u G t n e Ev Celebrating 35 years 35 Years of Sun, Surf and Everything in Between Mermaid parades, contests and free demos, oh my!
I
t’s time for the 35th Annual San Clemente Ocean Festival, and we’re gearing up for a weekend of fun in the sun. Saturday morning, cheer on your favorite athletes in the biathlon, dashfor-cash, or stand-up paddle surf relay, grom surf competitions or Dolphin Dash beach run. There will be a children’s fishing clinic and derby on the Pier, and anyone can participate in the free body surfing clinics, to learn about water safety and how to catch a wave. You can start each day with a hot pancake breakfast, served up by our own San Clemente Lifeguards, then head out to enjoy the woody cars displayed on the Pier with 15 different cars each day. There will be free body boarding demos, just past the Children’s Pavilion. Remember to stop by the Ocean Art Show in the park above the beach, and the sponsor booths that will have information, activities and free raffles. Saturday evening, as you relax and watch the sun set over Dana Point, enjoy dinner on the beach and the free concert featuring “A Bunch of Guys.” OCEAN FESTIVAL TRIVIA Sunday, come on back to the Pier for the all-ages fishing Who was known derby and sand sculpting competitions. The Southern Califoras “Mother” of the nia Body Surfing Championships will start off the day’s athletic Ocean Festival? events, followed by the SUP Surfing Championships, as well as the 5K Beach Run, one mile swim and new Aloha Challenge, where Hawaii’s best ocean athletes will compete against Southern California’s top watermen and waterwomen. There will be activities-a-plenty for the younger crowd with crafts and entertainment in the Children’s Pavilion, south of the Pier. A mermaid parade with King Neptune, interactive activities with Gymboree, performances by Hula Connection, Mad Science, Guillobel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Broadway Bound, San Clemente Dance and Performing Arts and band Magic Mercury round out the kid fun. Sponsor a duck and try your luck at winning one of the great prizes in the Great Rubber Duck Race that takes place on Sunday afternoon at about 4 p.m. Prizes include a weekend getaway, certificates for fishing trips and dinners, a surfboard and more. Don’t forget, you can park at San Clemente High School, and take the free shuttle to the beach. We thank our incredible sponsors, dedicated city and state lifeguards, 200plus extraordinary volunteers and the City of San Clemente for their support for the event. We hope you can join us this weekend at “The Greatest Show on Surf!” A: Dorothy Fuller
Peggy Vance EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAN CLEMENTE OCEAN FESTIVAL Photos courtesy of Ocean Festival Event Staff
July 16-17, 2011
Ocean Festival
iards e EveCelnebrattinGg 3u 5 ye A Lifetime of Lifesaving San Clemente’s Lifeguards Mark 80th Anniversary in 2011 BY STACIE N. GALANG
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or eight decades, San Clemente lifeguards have stood sentinel atop their beach towers, ready to respond to anything that comes their way. Thousands of successful rescues later, the city’s Marine Safety celebrates 80 years of saving lives, providing first aid and keeping the beaches safe. Lifeguards have not only ensured safety along city beaches and beyond but also spawned a junior lifeguard program to educate youths on water safety and Ocean Festival, an ode to all things water. The annual Lifeguards have patrolled city beaches since 1931. Courtesy photo festival, on Saturday and Sunday, is expected to draw about 66,000 people to city beaches. that were ambitious and wanted to very polished (program),” he said. Chief Bill Humphreys credited the city and its leaders OCEAN FESTIVAL TRIVIA do something with their lives,” said Hughes said when he came to San for staying committed to its Marine Safety Division. How many surf the former secretary, who reluctantly Clemente the city’s lifeguards patrolled “There’s been some really tough budget times,” said competitions transferred to other city jobs when beaches south, from the state system, the chief, who began as a volunteer lifeguard in 1976 are there? budgets tightened. “Many of them are north to Montage Laguna Beach when and started part-time work the following year. “Things very successful in life.” it was better known as Treasure Island have ebbed and flowed but they’ve always supported Beach. Hughes oversaw 60 lifeguards life saving. They realize San Clemente’s No. 1 attraction MAKING LIFEGUARD HISTORY when the city patrolled both its own is its beaches.” In the earliest days of Marine Safety, lifeguards beaches and the county’s. San Clemente’s lifeguard alums are something of a took home $100 a month, according to a history When Hughes started, the Pier wasn’t the desirable who’s who of old-time surfers, including Surfer magcompiled for the division. They used only the most area it is today. Pier rats, as they were often referred to, azine’s John Severson, board shaper Mickey Muñoz basic tools—no fins, no phones and no transportaloitered and deterred regular beach goers from visiting, and surf filmmaker Bruce Brown, who made Endless tion other than their own feet. he said. Summer. After World War II and into the 1950s, visitors In 1980, the city manager asked Hughes to find a “Time flies,” retired Captain Lynn Hughes, who acted began flocking to city beaches. By then police Sgt. suitable renter for the boarded-up boat club—the as what is today’s chief, said of the 80th anniversary. Richard Hazard became the city’s seasonal lifeguard building that now houses The Fisherman’s. The retired “It’s amazing. I had the opportunity to interact with chief. Under his leadership, the city started its junior captain said he advertised the spot for a year before a some of the early lifeguards.” lifeguard program in 1963 and moved into its presqualified bidder came forward. For 18 years, Helen McCue served as a secretary and ent-day headquarters in 1968. By the late 1970s, “That shows you how shady and undesirable the Pier dispatcher for Chief Richard Hazard and Hughes. She San Clemente had hired its first female lifeguard in Bowl was. It just had a reputation of being a not too started in 1973 and even offered first aid to beach goSandy Gross. pleasant a place to be, not good at all,” Hughes said. ers who came by Marine Safety Headquarters. Hughes arrived in San Clemente as “If I tell a person that 30 years ago we couldn’t get “It was just wonderful working a lieutenant in 1974, took the reins in someone to bid, they wouldn’t believe you.” with all the young men and womOCEAN FESTIVAL TRIVIA 1980 and retired in 2001. The retired In addition to their regular rescuing and first aid en,” said McHue, 74. What year did the captain said he witnessed the evolution duties, lifeguards spent much of their time breaking up The mother of three said she first San Clemente of Marine Safety. fights, enforcing the ban on alcohol and keeping the became a second mother to many Ocean Festival “I’ve seen it go from really the most peace among the riffraff. of the lifeguards who worked for take place? bare bones operation, two tin cans, with “In those early years, a good term would be seedy San Clemente. the most rudimentary of tools to now a (Cont. on page 16) “I met all these young people A: 2
A: 1977
July 16-17, 2011
Ocean Festival
iards e EveCelnebrattinGg 3u 5 ye (Cont. from page 15) A CELEBRATION OF THE OCEAN and ruff and tumble’,” the retired captain said. “It used The Ocean Festival was an offshoot of Marine to be considered a second-class, potholed city with Safety and its lifeguards. Capt. Sheridan Byerly ugly signs.” started the festival, which evolved into its present Efforts to revitalize the city, and especially the Pier day grand event. (Byerly is credited with lifesaving Bowl, starting in the late 1970s helped turn around the advances, including developing the 13 victim deteccity and its reputation. tion signs that lifeguards across the world use to spot “It’s really changed to me. It’s for the better,” Hughes distressed swimmers, according to the lifeguard’s said. “Now, people really look at San Clemente as sort history.) of an example, I believe.” “On Saturday morning, we put up a couple of tarps Top: Lifeguard Kris Moore uses binoculars to scan the waters off City beaches, particularly near the on metal poles and that was the San Clemente. Photo by Stacie N. Galang Above: Lifeguards from an OCEAN FESTIVAL TRIVIA Pier, are far more family-oriented, he event,” Hughes said of the early years earlier era stand beside their boat and equipment. Courtesy photo said. with Dorothy Fuller, often referred Which of these In Hughes’ early years with Ma“It’s always had a culture of friendship and profescompetitions does to as the festival’s mother. “It’s just rine Safety, the lifeguard supervisors developed and developed into the sional support, which is great.” NOT take place at rarely had more than four years of role it is today.” The chief said he would always prefer a candidate the event? experience. Pay in San Clemente Lifeguards and Marine Safety Dolphin Dash with character versus the best swimmer on the beach. Body Boarding tended to be too low to maintain staff played a more direct role in the event “We have a fantastic staff, very dedicated and willBeach Flags long-term, but the city has made in the beginning. ing to do whatever they can to serve the public,” he Bodysurfing strides, he said. “It really met our goals in that it said. Dory Boat Races A hallmark of San Clemente’s Mafocused on showing the many benOne-mile swim Marine Safety Lt. Ian Burton said former lifeguards rine Safety Division has been its cost efits of the beach,” Hughes said. “It often stop by to reminisce about their work with the efficiency, Humphreys said. He said focuses on improving awareness of program. He likened the return of lifeguards to going the city places emphasis on manpower versus highpublic safety on the beach and this was one of the back to a favorite college watering hole. tech gadgetry. early stated goals.” “That’s the neatest thing to see,” said Burton who “The majority of our resources go into people on the Now, a nonprofit oversees Ocean Fest. The orgacame to San Clemente in 2007 from Mission Viejo. beach,” the chief said. “People drown because somenization took in about $130,000 in 2008 and 2009 “They light up when they come in.” body in the lifeguard tower didn’t see them.” before expenses, according to its tax filings. He’s proud to be a part of a program with such a On any given day, the beach always draws visitors, “The community has really taken it up and done a storied past. Humphreys said. great job,” the retired captain said. “It’s been a very “For a department to have that kind of history, that’s City lifeguards average about 3,800 rescues a year good event.” the neatest thing to see,” the lieutenin recent years, Humphreys said. Some years, lifeMcCue said the Ocean Festival ant said. OCEAN FESTIVAL TRIVIA guards make more than 4,000 rescues, but last year’s actually started on the beaches Hughes credited Humphreys for reWhat is considered rainier-than-usual season translated into only about of Camp Pendleton and drew lifecruiting and maintaining a strong staff. the grand finale? 1,800, he said. guards from all over California. “Pay is a part of it,” he said. “It’s also Today, the city’s Marine Safety uses its burgundy “It was wonderful the first couesprit de corps that keeps the lifejeeps and ATVs to traverse the coastline they patrol. ple of years,” the retired secretary guards.” said. “It was really a close connection—the camaraThe retired captain hopes each successive generaderie. All the lifeguards knew each other.” tion of lifeguards looks back at its predecessors and But San Clemente was dwarfed by Marine Safety appreciates the contributions made to reach its 80th Divisions from Los Angeles County and closer agenyear. He also hoped residents don’t take their work for cies like Newport and Huntington Beach. granted. “For a couple of years LA county just creamed us,” “There are parts of the world where two or three McCue said. “They were just so big.” people can drown in a day in certain beach areas,” the retired captain said. “We’re so used to having such a CHARACTER COUNTS high level of public safety service on all levels.” Humphreys said the city hires lifeguards with The lifeguards plan to toast their 80th anniversary with “integrity and solid character traits.” The chief coma celebration Friday, August 26 at the Ole Hanson Beach pared the city’s lifeguards to a fraternity or sorority. Club. The following night they will have a mixer at the The team enjoys spending time together hanging out, Surfing Heritage Foundation’s Museum. For more informaeven after hours, he said. tion, visit www.sclifeguards.com or find and like them on Lifeguard Allan Bayer takes in signs at the end of a recent summer day at San Clemente. Photo by Stacie N. Galang “The men and women share a close bond,” he said. Facebook. A: Body Boarding
A: Great Rubber Duck Race
Featured Booths & Vendors 1. Bodyboarding Demos 1a. Body Surfing Clinics (Sat.) 2. Children’s Pavilion Stage 3. Children’s Pavilion Shade Area 4. Children’s Pavilion Crafts 5. Children’s Pavilion Tickets 6. Games 7. Games
8. Games 9. Facepainting 10. Discovery Science Center 11. Ocean Institute 12. OC Oil Recycling (Sat.) 12. Sand Sculpting Registration (Sun.) 13. Swift Health Chiropractic 14. Shell Vacations Club
15. The Local DISH 16. American Laser Skin Care 17. Dr. Eric Johnson 18. Great Rubber Duck Race 19. Saddleback Golf Cars 20. T-shirt Sales 21. Welk Resorts 22. KWVE
23. Fisherman’s Food Court 24. Southern California Edison/SONGS 25. SC Times 26. Volunteer/Info 27. Athletic Registration 28. Awards 29. Results 30. Athlete’s Refreshments
31. Saddleback Hospital 32. Rip Curl 33. Groms/SUP/Bodysurf Reg 34. Main Stage 35. KLOS Van & KABC 36. Pancake Breakfast ticket sales 37. Pancake Breakfast seating 38. Art Show
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OCEAN FESTIVAL TRIVIA
Where can people go for free shuttle service during the event?
July 16-17, 2011
Ocean Festival
iards e EveCelnebrattinGg 3u 5 ye
A: San Clemente High School at 700 Avenida Pico
Schedule Of Events SATURDAY, JULY 16 CHILDREN’S FISHING CLINIC 6:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
Registration on the Pier, clinic and derby for children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult Judging and prizes awarded
“GROMS RULE” SURF CONTEST 6 a.m. 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
(ages 14 and under)
19th ANNUAL WOODY CAR EXHIBIT
Registration/Check-In at Surf Registration booth just north of the Pier Contest will be held just north of the pier
8:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Displayed on the Pier
CITY LIFEGUARD PANCAKE BREAKFAST 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Come for breakfast served up by lifeguards
3 Annual DOLPHIN DASH Kid’s Beach Run rd
FREE BODY BOARDING DEMOS Sponsored by Catch Surf (ages 12 and under)
7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Registration/Check-In at Children’s Pavilion, south of the Pier 9 a.m. Half-mile run for ages 4-6 9:20 a.m. Three-quarter mile run for ages 7-9 9:40 a.m. One mile run for ages 10-12
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
in Parque Del Mar, overlooking the event
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
10:15 a.m. 11 a.m. 11:45 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
South of the Pier, next to Children’s Pavilion Hosted by San Clemente Body Surfing Club
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
OCEAN FESTIVAL TRIVIA
What was the estimated attendance at last year’s event?
CALIFORNIA WATERMAN & WATERWOMAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 8 a.m. 8:30 a.m.
South of the Pier, next to Children’s Pavilion
FREE BODYSURFING CLINICS
A: 66,000
OCEAN ART SHOW
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Event 1: Biathlon (1K swim, 5K run) Event 2: 10K Distance Paddle Race (Paddleboard: Unlimited or stock 12’; SUP: 12’6”, 14’ and unlimited; and Surf Ski or Ocean Kayak) Event 3: Dash-For-Cash (swim/sprint) Event 4: National Doryman Association Three Lap Race No. 1 Event 5: 2K Lifeguard Surf Ski Race Event 6: 1K Sprint Paddleboard Race (10’6”) Event 7: National Doryman Association Three Lap Race No. 2 Event 8: 1K SUP Sprint Race (12’6” & under) Event 9: SUP Surf Relay (four-person team, at least one female) Event 10: American Ironman and Ironwoman Event 11: Beach Flags (conditions permitting)
All day events: Face painting, carnival games, *Discovery Science Center, *Ocean Institute booths. *Special presentations throughout the day 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Registration for DOLPHIN DASH Kid’s Beach Run 9 a.m. DOLPHIN DASH – Kids ages 4-6 half mile run 9:20 a.m. DOLPHIN DASH – Kids ages 7-9 three-quarter mile run 9:40 a.m. DOLPHIN DASH – Kids ages 10-12 one mile run 8 a.m. Ticket sales begin for crafts, games and face painting 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Arts and crafts, Discovery Science, Ocean Institute, game booths, face painting and relays 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. “Mad Science” demonstration 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Guillobel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu performance 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Hula Connection performance 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Live music with band Magic Mercury
BEACH PARTY & FREE CONCERT 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dinners available through Fisherman’s Restaurant Free beach concert featuring A Bunch Of Guys
4th ANNUAL STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS 9:30 a.m. 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Registration/Check-in at Surf Registration booth, north of the Pier Competitions
FISHING DERBY FOR ALL AGES ON THE PIER 6:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
Registration (on the Pier) and fishing derby starts. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Judging and Prizes
Dolphin Dash Bodysurfing California Waterman and Waterwoman 5K Beach Run Groms Surf SUP
OCEAN FESTIVAL TRIVIA
What two activities take place on the Pier during the event? A: Fishing derby (plus clinic for kids on Saturday) & Woody Car Exhibit
SUNDAY, JULY 17
How many athletes participated in the following events last year?
A: Estimates. Dolphin Dash: 170; Bodysurfing: 46; California Waterman and Waterwoman, including the 5K: About 500; Groms: 75; SUP: 50; Estimated total: 841
Schedule Of Events
OCEAN FESTIVAL TRIVIA
BODY BOARDING DEMOS Sponsored by Catch Surf 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
South of the Pier, next to Children’s Pavilion
6th ANNUAL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BODYSURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS
OCEAN ART SHOW
6 a.m.
CALIFORNIA WATERMAN & WATERWOMAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Registration/Check-in at Bodysurfing Registration booth, north of Pier Competitions
CITY LIFEGUARD PANCAKE BREAKFAST 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
8 a.m. 9 a.m.
Come for breakfast served up by lifeguards
19 ANNUAL WOODY CAR EXHIBIT th
8:30am – 2:45pm
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Displayed on the Pier
10 a.m. 12 p.m. 1:15 p.m. 2 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 3 p.m.
in Parque Del Mar, overlooking event
Event 12: 5K Beach Run/Walk Event 13: Aloha Challenge Relay: Five-person relay of run, paddleboard, SUP, ski and swim Event 14: SUP 3.5-Mile Race: Surf class under 12’, 12’6”, 14’ Event 15: One Mile Ocean Swim Event 16: San Clemente Waterman Challenge: Swim, run, SUP Event 17: 400M run, 400M swim, 400M run San Clemente Marine Safety water rescue demonstration Event 18: Splash and dash
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES All day events: Face painting, carnival games, *Discovery Science Center and *Ocean Institute booths. *Special presentations throughout the day 8 a.m. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
SAND SCULPTURE TEAM COMPETITION 6:30 a.m. 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 2 p.m. (approximately)
Registration and sculpting, south of Pier Judging/Viewing (depending on the tides) Awards immediately following judging
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Ticket sales begin for crafts, games and face painting Ocean crafts, games and relays sponsored by San Clemente Parks and Recreation Department Mermaid Parade Sand Castle building contest: Heats for all ages of children and families Gymboree: Interactive entertainment for ages 5 and under Guillobel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Performance Broadway Bound: Performance SC Dance & Performing Arts: Performance Live music with band Magic Mercury
19th ANNUAL GREAT RUBBER DUCK RACE 4 p.m. (approximately) Sponsor ducks are $5 each. Great prizes to winners *Schedules subject to change
Event Guiards e Celebrating 35 ye
Where can children go for face painting during the event?
OCEAN FESTIVAL TRIVIA
In which event can participants use Jell-O? A: Sand Sculpting Competitions
Ocean Festival
OCEAN FESTIVAL TRIVIA
A: Children’s Pavilion, south of the Pier
July 16-17, 2011
Behind the Scenes Organizers Toast the 35th Annual Ocean Fest
A
bout 66,000 people descend on San Clemente for the two days of Ocean Festival every year, but the other 363 days of the year a band of dedicated volunteers labor away in preparation, arrive early to set up when the event finally arrives and stay late to return the beaches to pristine condition. Ocean Fest has grown dramatically since its humble beginnings in 1976. The brainchild of former San Clemente Marine Safety Captain Sheridan Byerly, the event was nurtured by Dorothy Fuller. Over the next three decades, organizers have orchestrated the annual event, scheduling contests, overseeing sand-sculpture building and generally making the experience fun for all. Last week, the people behind the event hosted a reception at Casa Romantica to thank their volunteers and sponsors and toast the Greatest Show on Surf. Dave Peter served as the reception emcee and Tod Bryant, president of the Ocean Festival, offered a litany of thanks to the dozens who gathered for the kick-off of sorts. Colleen Wolfe and Amy Reinhart received the Dorothy Fuller Award for their longtime help as volunteers. Kelley Green, 11, accepted her Junior Dorothy Fuller Award for pitching in by helping her mother Lisa Green and the overall festival. San Clemente Marine Safety Lt. Rod Mellott earned special honors for his work with the event. Three cheers to this year’s honorees and to another successful Ocean Festival. —Text and photos by Stacie N. Galang
Kumi Elston, San Clemente’s central office supervisor, and her husband Jay Elston, the city’s utilities supervisor, enjoyed the reception with the Ocean Festival’s Executive Director Peggy Vance and festival sponsor Tony Carbonara of Carbonara’s Trattoria.
Gary Button, left, Colleen Wolfe, Amy Reinhart and Arlene Button attended the Ocean Festival reception last week. Gary and Arlene Button, last year’s recipients of the Dorothy Fuller Award, announced Wolfe and Reinhart as this year’s winners for their many years of volunteer work.
Peggy Vance gives 11-year-old Kelley Green her Junior Dorothy Fuller Award. Kelley has helped her mother Lisa Green prepare for the July 4 party at Fisherman’s Restaurant by ironing and folding napkins.
Tod Bryant, president of the board of Ocean Festival, makes presentations during the kick-off event at Casa Romantica last week.