Heroic Acts | The California Surf Lifesaving Association is a non profit (501-C3 tax exempt) organization chartered to promote beach safety awareness and professional open-water lifesaving standards. The 30 CSLSA Chapters/Agencies share the mission, goals and objective

The highest award presented by the CSLSA/USLA to a non-lifeguard civilian is intended to give due recognition to those who have risked their lives to an extraordinary degree in a rescue or attempted rescue of another person (without familial relation to the rescuer). Together, the USLA and CSLSA salute their bravery, courage, and service to humanity.

2024 Heroic Act Award Recipients:

Shayla Bauer and Jeffrey Weber, Laguna Beach High School Surf Team Members.

While surfing with his friends Shayla Bauer and Jeffrey Weber off "Dog Beach" in Huntington Beach, Tuesday, January 16, 2024, Chris Wessels suffered a cardiac episode in the water. With no formal training, his friends acted quickly performing lifesaving techniques used by lifeguards to save Chris' life. After Chris told his friends he felt lightheaded, he passed out on his surfboard. Shayla and Jeffrey responded quickly stabilizing his head, maintained an airway, and paddled him back to shore. Once on shore, Jeffrey commenced CPR. Shayla found someone with a cell phone and had them call 9-1-1. She returned to assist Jeffrey and another bystander with CPR until the Marine Safety Unit arrived on scene. After Marine Safety and Fire Paramedics arrived, Shayla and Jeffrey continued to assist Chris and provide a history of the event. Following 45 minutes of CPR, thanks to the combined efforts of Shayla, Jeffrey, First Responder Personnel, and Hospital Staff, Chris' heart began beating on its own. He has since made good progress in his recovery. For their heroic lifesaving actions, Shayla Bauer and Jeffrey Weber are hereby awarded the California Surf Lifesaving and United States Lifesaving Association's Heroic Act Awards.

Juliana Akoubian - Huntington Beach "B" Junior Lifeguards

At approximately 3:30 PM on Monday, July 3, 2023, Huntington Beach Junior Lifeguard Instructor Elizabeth Lovat was body surfing with her "B" Group. The surf was moderate in size, but building with a mixed swell. Lovatt took off on a wave in the shore break and was thrown over the falls, striking her head on the bottom. Lovat advised later that she immediately knew she had broken her neck, as she was face down in the water, her entire body went numb and she couldn't feel or move her arms and legs. "B" Junior Lifeguard, Juliana Akoubian, who was body surfing near Lovat, observed her lying face down in the shore break, and not moving. She immediately made contact with Lovat, and using skills
taught in the Junior Guard Program, rolled Lovat over while protecting her head and neck. She also began yelling for additional help. Another Junior Guard Instructor heard Juliana's calls for help, and along with a nearby tower guard, responded to assist Akoubian with Lovat. It was later determined that Lovat had indeed fractured her neck and was completely paralyzed from the neck down. Lovat later stated that had Akoubian not recognized her plight, and responded appropriately, that she may well have died of drowning from the accident. Lifeguard Lovat has since been through medical treatments and rehab procedures with a positive outlook for some, if not full recovery from the accident. For her immediate and appropriate lifesaving actions, Huntington Beach Junior Lifeguard Juliana Akoubian is hereby awarded the California Surf Lifesaving Association's Heroic Act Award.

2015 Heroic Act Award Recipients:

Gifford Price - Student, Junior Lifeguard, Huntington City Beach

On Monday, October 6, 2014, Gifford Price, an eleven-year-old Huntington Christian School student and Junior Lifeguard, was waiting for the Junior Lifeguard Surf Camp to begin at Huntington State Beach when he was approached by a 16-year-old visitor who told him that his sister was in trouble. Gifford immediately took his surfboard and paddled out to the 14-year-old victim, telling her to grab onto his board. When Gifford was paddling out to the girl, the Surf Camp instructor noticed the struggling victim. John Prichard, a seasonal lifeguard, then began swimming out, reaching the victim who was hanging onto Gifford’s surfboard. He relieved Price and assisted the victim to shore. It was later learned that the 14-year-old girl was a visitor from Arizona, just enjoying the ocean when she was pulled out to sea. She said that she felt that she was going to pass-out just before Gifford arrived. Her brother, who realized she was in trouble saw that the lifeguards were quite a distance away, so looked around and saw Gifford with his surfboard. He knew that time was of the essence. Gifford did not hesitate when approached by the brother. His timely rescue more than likely saved the victim from going under. For that extraordinary action, the CSLSA and USLA awarded Gifford with the Heroic Acts Award, presented to him (with his family present) at the Spring, 2015 Board of Directors meeting in Newport Beach on April 9th.     Information provided by GroupHicks.com

Mike Becktold - Fire Captain, City of Coronado

On July 7, 2014, Fire Captain Mike Becktold and his crew were among the first responders to a call of a swimmer in distress. In the darkness, Station 36’s firefighters could see a surf of six to eight foot and many rip tides. With no hesitation, Captain Becktold entered the water and provided aid to three people, including a 12-year-old boy. All were brought safely out of the water to the waiting paramedics. For Mike’s selfless and heroic action, the CSLSA and USLA awarded him with the 2015 Heroic Acts Award, presented during the October, 2015 Board of Directors’ meeting in Redondo Beach, CA.

USLA Heroic Act Award Recipients
     Recipients from California
      For a complete U.S. listing, CLICK HERE