State parks now have life guards!

I went to South Gerstle Cove last Wednesday.  It was a 1' wave sunny day.  To my surprise, when I got back to shore, a life guard was there to greet me.

Is this a new service or they've always been available???  I thought the state parks system is underfunded....

I was at goat rock A few weeks ago and saw one on the beach as well.. Almost as confusing as to why this is in the diving section.  

To my knowledge they've always been around, even during the lean times, life guard, rescue diver, use whatever label you want.  Up in the Salt Pt area they keep an eye on divers, at Goat rock I see very little surfing so I think they're there mostly to keep the unaware, aware of the dangers of that beach.

I've seen them fish dead people out of the water, and I've gotten some really good advice on where to dive in differing conditions (south swell) from them.

I like'em around.

c'mon bluestar, ain't you ever heard of Baywatch?  used to ride my bike from UCLA to Will Rogers State Beach to watch them film.  all day long lol.

apparently the lifeguard classification for state employment was created in 1960 

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21214

c'mon bluestar, ain't you ever heard of Baywatch?  used to ride my bike from UCLA to Will Rogers State Beach to watch them film.  all day long lol.

apparently the lifeguard classification for state employment was created in 1960 

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21214

Funny you mentioned that -- the guy looked EXACTLY like those in Baywatch -- red trunk, buoy-type flotation, long blonde hair, and and and... NO SHIRT!!

I was so intrigued because, I thought to myself, if anything happened to me, there was no way he was gonna jump into that cold ocean for me.  No way.

State Park Lifeguards are open-water lifesaving professionals and trained peace officers with statewide authority.

I had no idea.

I once saw a lifeguard giving out speeding tickets on I-5. 

Wearing a speedo. 

Fact.