The history of the Seal Beach Lifeguard Department is a colorful one. Before World War II the beach was patrolled by two guards. One covered the beach on weekdays while the other took care of things on the weekends, more remote areas were patrolled on horseback. After World War II Seal Beach saw a few seasonal guards watch the slowly growing beach scene, but it was not until after the Korean War that the Lifeguard Department started to really take shape. The first towers were built, surplus military telephones called “coffee grinders” were installed, and old military jeeps were put into action in the late ’50′s. As the ’60′s began Seal Beach began to develope quite a beach scene. In 1962 the city hired its first full-time lifeguard, Tim Dorsey. Two other full-time guards were to follow, Mickey MacArthur in ’63 and Rich Chew in ’67. As the department grew it needed to become an organized operation. In 1973 the City Manager named a chief, lieutenant, and year round staff. In ’71 present captain, Steve Cushman, was hired. Dan Dorsey was hired as a full-time guard in ’77.

Retired Chief Tim Dorsey - Zihuat 2010

The 1980′s saw a change in the Seal Beach Lifeguard Department. With the passing of proposition 13 budget cutbacks were made and the staff had to be reduced. To make matters worse the El Nino winter of 1982/83 destroyed the pier. One highlight of the ’80′s was the acquisition of the Junior Lifeguard program, originally run by the Recreation Department. The early 1990′s saw the zero tower on the pier burn down twice, eventually reopening in 1995. In 1993 the city promoted the fun-loving, charismatic A.J. Summers to Lieutenant; tragically, he passed away on July 4th, 1998. Under Captain Cushman and Lieutenant Summers the department grew to deploy seven field towers, four four-wheel drive trucks, two ATVs, two Wave Runners, a rescue boat, and a fully staffed headquarters.

With the tragic passing of Lt. Summers and the retirement of Captain Cushman new leadership has taken charge of beach operations. Chief Joe Bailey, Lt. Chris Pierce, and Marine Safety Officer Nick Bolin are the current leadership structure of the Seal Beach Lifeguard Dept. We would like to take a moment to thank the City of Seal Beach along with the Cheif, Lt., and Officer Bowlin for supporting the contest through past few years. The department has grown since the days of metal rescue cans, “torpedos”, and “coffee grinder” telephones, but the commitment and dedication to lifesaving remains the same.