Jim learned to surf at the age of 12 when living on the East Coast. He was an army veteran who served in Vietnam and was on the water polo team at Grossmont College when he heard about a lifeguard test at Del Mar. The year was 1972 and Jim was 22 years old. He was planning on being a PE teacher - but Jim loved the ocean. He knew he couldn't afford one of the multi million dollar homes at the coast, so he did the next best thing - he became a Del Mar Lifeguard... for life.

Like the tide and water temp board outside the tower, Jim was a fixture at Del Mar. Everyone knew him and everyone loved him. If you wanted a surf report, a REAL surf report, you called Jim. If you needed to organize a lifeguard event, you contacted Jim.

He is an accomplished waterman and has logged over 900 rescues during his service to the department.

When not saving people, finding lost children or performing first aids, Jim was tirelessly organizing events. He ran surf contests and Volley ball tournaments. He wrote a beach newsletter for a number of years and of course, he was the in house videographer and always had a fun production to show at the end of the year parties.

One thing about Jim that many do not know is that he came up with the idea of the Penguin Plunge on New Year's day. That was in 1986. They had a handful of people then and hundreds now.

Jim was vigilant and uniquely dedicated to watching the water. He has worked more years as a Del Mar lifeguard than any other individual in the department, finally retiring in 2011 after 40 action packed years.

Jim now lives with his wife, Michelle in Encinitas. You may still see him hanging out on the Del Mar beach or stand-up paddling up the coast.