Rolling Hills Estates Lifeguard Earns Medal Of Valor

PALOS VERDES, CA — The 2019 International Surf Festival (ISF) will honor an Ocean Lifeguard Specialist from Rolling Hills Estates 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.

Local Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Shaun Gudmundsson is one of the Medal of Valor recipients.

Here is what the ISF said about Gudmundsson:

"On the night of August 9, 2018, Ocean Lifeguard Specialists (OLS) Shaun Gudmundsson and Ruben Carmona performed an extremely dangerous nighttime water rescue of two fishermen from a rocky and remote ledge below Inspiration Point in Rancho Palos Verdes. The fishermen had become trapped in the rising tide and huge surf, generated from a hurricane off Baja California. Exposing themselves to extreme ocean and nighttime conditions, the successful efforts of Gudmundsson and Carmona saved the men’s lives."

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; Ocean Lifeguard Dick Douglas will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award; 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."