Manhattan Beach Lifeguard Earns Lifetime Achievement Award

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — The 2019 International Surf Festival (ISF) will honor an Ocean Lifeguard from Manhattan Beach and other Los Angeles County Fire Department Ocean Lifeguards for demonstrating "extraordinary and exemplary bravery in the line of duty," ISF said.

These acts of heroism will be recognized at the ISF’s "Lifeguard Medal of Valor" dinner on July 31, the ISF press release said. The Medal of Valor, the Distinguished Service Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Junior Guard Award will be presented at the event.

Ocean Lifeguard Dick Douglas, of Manhattan Beach, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Here is what the ISF said about Douglas:

"Ocean Lifeguard Dick Douglas is being recognized for his over 50 years as a still active Recurrent Ocean Lifeguard, protecting our beaches and saving countless lives. Dick is specifically known for upgrading the Junior Lifeguard Program in the 1970s and 1980s. Dick may be best known as the longtime "Voice of the South Bay" and his "dark and stormy night" descriptions of Lifeguard heroism are legend. Dick is the father of three LA County lifeguards: Captain Dan Douglas and Ocean Lifeguards Craig and Todd Douglas. His grandson Jake is also an ocean lifeguard."

Medals of Valor will also be awarded to Ocean Lifeguard Specialists Ruben Carmona and Jon Van Duinwyk; Distinguished Service Medals will be presented to Captain Ryan Addison and Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Tim Ryan; and Ocean Lifeguard Bill Krauss will receive the inaugural Junior Lifeguard Award.

The Medal of Valor dinner has been sponsored by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce since 1981, the press release said.

"The Chamber is honored to recognize these courageous lifeguards, and to have served as the venue for the Festival kick-off for the past 38 years," said Dominik Knoll, president/CEO of the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce. "We are fortunate to have such dedicated professionals protecting our beaches."