Editor, Although our dedicated and highly trained lifeguards do a spectacular job for our city and on our beaches, it’s individuals like Pat Watson who truly make our community special (“Skim Boarder Dives For a Miracle Save,” May 31 edition). After quickly and selflessly diving into big surf to make a spectacular rescue he deserves [...]
The death of a 51-year-old diver, who was unresponsive when pulled from the ocean at a popular dive spot in Laguna Beach, remains under investigation, according to the county coroner. An autopsy was performed on the body of Mark Gibbs, of Tustin, but no ruling was made on the cause of death pending the outcome [...]
Fall Soccer Registration Begins AYSO 86, Laguna Beach’s youth soccer league, is holding walk-in registration for the fall season on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Rd. For information, visit ayso86.org Jr. Guards Train at Moro Beach Potential junior lifeguard participants are invited to [...]
Editor, I was with a group of 20 Laguna Beach residents who are seniors, and I told them of councilmember Steve Dicterow’s plan to change the color of the city’s police cars from blue and white to black and white. One voted in favor and the rest said no. If Dicterow is trying to identify [...]
Testimony about potential hazards due to the surge of companies offering stand-up paddling lessons on local beaches prompted the City Council on Tuesday to approve developing an ordinance covering safety, insurance and liability rules related to companies providing instruction for the sport, sidestepping a call to also ban mobile operators. Complaints stemming from the impacts [...]
Laguna Beach’s City Council on Tuesday will consider potential regulation of stand-up paddling instruction due to complaints stemming from the surge of companies offering lessons on public beaches. In a letter sent to council members last November, owners or managers of four local shops involved with surf and paddleboard rentals or instruction decried the plethora [...]
Laguna Beach lifeguards on Monday deployed a city tractor to haul away a sailboat that ran aground near Main Beach the previous day. The owner of the 36-foot Catalina, San Diego resident Stephen Michael Fryer, 47, was arrested and released Sunday for suspicion of boating while intoxicated, according to police Sgt. Louise Callus. He joylessly [...]
Editor, This past Monday, during our regular morning workout, one of the participants in our group suddenly fell to the ground and was in apparent severe distress. Fortunately, two of the individuals in our group were Laguna Beach lifeguards. What took place in the next several minutes was the most amazing performance of competence and [...]
Editor, We have heard for years that in Laguna Beach one person can create havoc. Is it true that Audrey Prosser, a member of the local Democrats, does not like Mayor Jane Egly and caused the group to refuse endorsing her for election? Is it true that county Democrats never contacted Bob Whalen, a long-time [...]
Due to popular demand, SchoolPower’s third annual Dodgeball tournament will match up 30 junior division teams to compete Wednesday, Oct. 17, starting at 3:15 p.m. The 24-team adult division tournament will begin at 5:30. Teams comprised of students, teachers, parents, fireman, lifeguards, policemen, and local businesses will compete for the championship. Spectators are free and [...]
Emergency personnel in Laguna Beach turned to helicopter medical evacuations more than once over the Labor Day weekend, rescuing injured swimmers in South Laguna and an injured cyclist in Laguna Canyon on Monday. On Sunday, a man in his 20s and a teenage girl were airlifted from Three Arch Bay after both swimmers suffered minor [...]
Editor, The multi diver rescue mentioned in your April 13 article “Instinct Saves a Life” shows the value and courage of people like Mr. McErlane and our lifeguards. I personally met the bald and bearded dive instructor standing to the right of center in the picture on page 16. He and his group [...]
By Ben Bodart, Special to the Independent As is his habit, Laguna Beach resident and surfer Ian McErlane, 37, was out walking his two dogs in Heisler Park recently when red-flag surf conditions transformed the routine into life-saving heroism. McErlane’s attention was drawn to people on Picnic Beach, who were watching the waves [...]
Editor, Re: the picture on the front page in the April 6 issue. The woman shown on the beach was actually rescued by my son, Ian McErlane. I know this because he came home that morning with his clothes completely wet up to his neck, somewhat in shock over what had just happened. He [...]
More than 50 rookie and first-year lifeguard hopefuls lineup under near perfect conditions for the city’s annual 2012 summer tryouts last Saturday, which included the first cut 1,000-yard swim in under 20 minutes. Those who succeed went on to two more run and swim competitions. Newport Beach’s Ally McCormick reaches for the No. 1 marker [...]
Ill Prepared Hiker Rescued from Hillside
A sheriff’s helicopter was used to extract a hiker who suffered an anxiety attack and was unable to move from a steep trail in Laguna Beach’s open space about 6 p.m. Sunday, June 9, police said. Lifeguards in an all-terrain vehicle coordinated the extraction from thick brush and a steep slope between Alta Laguna Park [...]
