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Newport lifeguard HQ to be named in memory of Ben Carlson

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When beachgoers walk past the lifeguard headquarters at the Newport Pier, they soon will see the name of Ben Carlson, a lifeguard who drowned in July while trying to rescue a distressed swimmer.

Carlson, a 15-year Newport Beach lifeguard, became the first lifeguard in the department’s 100-year history to die in the line of duty. To honor his memory, city staff recommended that the City Council rename the lifeguard headquarters after Carlson.

Carlson’s friends and family joined Newport Beach residents and lifeguards in filling the council chambers Wednesday night to support the recommendation.

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The council, with member Leslie Daigle absent, voted 6 to 0 to approve the change. A time frame wasn’t specified.

“I am so thankful for the way the city continues to embrace our family and honor Ben,” said Chris Carlson, Ben’s father. “The city has displayed support above and beyond expectation.”

Ben Carlson was manning a rescue boat July 6 when he got a call that a swimmer was struggling in a 6- to 8-foot swell near 16th Street.

The National Weather Service that day had warned of dangerous rip currents and high surf that resulted in about 200 rescues, lifeguards said.

After Carlson reached the swimmer, a large wave slammed into them, sending the pair underwater. The swimmer resurfaced. Carlson did not.

After a grueling three-hour search, lifeguards found Carlson’s body near the Newport Pier.

The lifeguard headquarters that will bear Carlson’s name recently underwent a $1.4-million renovation. The project included a new lobby, a centralized computer and communications room, new staff restrooms, showers and lockers and upgraded storage facilities.

The Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Foundation has been working to create a statue of Carlson at the base of the Balboa Pier, near the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard headquarters. The foundation hopes to unveil the statue on July 2, Carlson’s birthday.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Carlson’s family accepted a $10,000 check from The Fallen Heroes, a nonprofit that supports families of law enforcement and fire personnel who die in the line of duty.

The money will go toward promoting ocean safety and providing scholarships for students, Chris Carlson said.

“Our intent is that junior guards, lifeguards and the public will take pause and realize that the Pacific Ocean they are about to enter requires respect,” he said.

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