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Heroic Acts

The highest award presented by USLA to a non-lifeguard 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.

 

2016 Heroic Act Award Recipients:
 
  • Lucy Granger and Cameron Granger, Students, Junior Lifeguards, Huntington State Beach
Around 6:30pm on October 17, 2015, siblings Lucy (12) and Cameron Granger (14) were exiting the water after a sunset body surf in the Tower 11 area when Cameron heard frantic screaming about 75 yards away from them. He immediately started swimming towards the victims, as Lucy realized what he was doing and re-entered the water to help. Three 14-15 year old females, over 100 yards off-shore, were struggling against a riptide. Cameron reached the first girl and helped her to shore, then went back to help the other two. Lucy had reached the second girl and was helping her back to the beach when Cameron reached the third victim. The 2nd victim grabbed Lucy's arm and shoulder tightly as they were making their way to shore. Lucy assured her that she would make it as she was a Junior Lifeguard. A short while later, Cameron brought the 3rd victim to safety. Both Cameron and Lucy had fins, but did not have a buoy. Chris Egan, head of the Junior Lifeguard program, said that approaching victims who are in extreme distress without a buoy is very hazardous, especially for the relatively small size of the Grangers. For their heroic actions that evening, the CSLSA and USLA selected Lucy and Cameron for the 2016 Heroic Acts award.

 

  • Ben Seigel, City Manager of San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Beach
On Labor Day, September 9, 2015 in Laguna Beach California, Mr. Ben Seigel observed Shane Brolly in distress off shore at Blue Lagoon Beach during a weekend of extremely large surf, strong rips and lateral currents Mr. Seigel responded to Mr. Brolly, and without lifesaving equipment supported him until relieved by Lifeguard Colloty, who had responded from Victoria Beach. Because of Mr. Seigel quick and decisive actions Mr. Brolly survived the ordeal. Mr. Ben Seigel, without regard for his own safety, demonstrated the highest level of bravery that day, and selflessly risked his life to save the life of another. For his unselfish actions, the CSLSA and USLA awarded Ben with the Heroic Acts Award, presented to him at the April 7, 2016 Board of Directors meeting in Coronado Beach.
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

Amy Di Chiro     2008
Barrera, Richard     2001
Becktold, Mike     2015
Brave, Dick     1999
Brown, Brian     2010
Butterfield, Royce     2013
Castillo, Phil     2012
Cherry, Scot     1997
Dalton, Charity     1994
Dalton, John     1998
Davis, Alex     2011
Foster, Logan     2012
Granger, Cameron & Lucy     2016
Hodson, Tad     1997
Hoffman, Ryan     2010
Kitmetto, Kiyo     1993
Kruger, Blair     1997
Linnen, Chuck     1994
Lothian, Mackenzie     2005
McFadden, David     1994
O'Hara, John     1998
Pena, Joseph     1990
Pletch, Theresa     1990
Price, Gifford     2015
Reeves, Conner     2014
Richards, Kevin     1990
Rogers, Robert     1993
Schwary, Brian     1994
Shenbaum, Dave     2013
Siegel, Ben     2016
Spheeris, Linda     1993
Starky, Sean     2010
Strickland, Brian     1997
Sullivan, Terrance     1998
Watson, Patrick and Danny     2014
Weck, Roger     1997
White, Kyle     2001
Willis, Robert     1997
Wright, Greg     2009
 

           Heroic Acts Application form

           Heroic Acts Policy/Procedure, including criteria required.