In 1965, The City of Del Mar wanted year around lifeguarding and more direct control of their beaches so they decided to discontinue contracting with the County and start their own lifeguard department.

To head up the department, they chose a 39 year old lifeguard from Los Angeles. His name was Gardner Stevens. Not only did he have extensive ocean lifeguarding experience but he had experience as a navy corpsman, ambulance attendant and was a licensed chiropractor.

That year, on May 8th, he held the first Del Mar Lifeguard test. From 24 applicants, he hired five individuals, the first Del Mar Lifeguards: Ron Jensen, Jack Ross, Peter Critchlow, Paul Kraus, and Gerry Maier.

That first year, the six of them didn't have too much to work with but they made do. The starting wage was 2.10 / hour and on July 4th, all of them worked to protect the big crowd of 400 swimmers, 100 surfers and 1,500 beach patrons.

In July and August of 1965, they rescued 34 people. One of the more exciting responses in those days was to chase the cars off the beach and sometimes tow them out of the drink.

Gardner ran the Department for 17 years. He retired in 1982 at the age of 56, and sadly, passed away in 2002 at the age of 76.

During Gardners 17 years of service, there was no one who could spot rescues better than he. Gardner had an eagle eye and an uncanny ability to predict rescues before they happened, sometimes when the victim was still on the beach! Looking at beach statistics, it was found that there were just shy of 3,000 people rescued during those 17 years, and, yet, as Gardner would say, "Well, only half of 'em woulda drowned"

Gardner started the very successful Junior Lifeguard Program, He hired the first female California Ocean Lifeguard (Joyce Hoffman) and with fireman Jim Baker's help, built the main lifeguard headquarters at 17th st. and expanded towers at 20th, 25th and 29th streets.

But Gardner was more than a top lifeguard. He was a mentor to all of his "boys", offering fatherly advice whenever needed. At work, he was Captain Stevens and he ran a tight ship. Off hours, he was "Uncle Gardner". He body surfed, played in the inter-departmental volleyball tournaments and sponsored some great lifeguard parties. Everyone who worked with Gardner loved him and to this day, those of us fortunate enough to work with Gardner, think of him often.