Gardner Stevens, First Captain
Some Highlights from the
Del Mar Lifeguard
Logbooks
1965
17th Street Tower
Above left, Gardner Stevens in 1965. To the right is is main lifeguard tower at 17th St. (inherited from the County)
From his first day on the job, Captain Gardner Stevens maintained detailed logbooks of events that happened in Del Mar. Below are some of the more interesting entries, some with links to pictures and images of the actual log entry.
1965
March 1: First log entry. Gardner worked from 0830 to 1630 then attended a City Council meeting until 2315. See log entry.
March 13: First day of operation. Gardner brought in G. Kleemann to work with him. log entry see picture of Gardner with truck
March 15: Ron Jensen starts working with Capt. Stevens. Kleemann becomes part time lifeguard
April 16: First Rescue by a City of Del Mar Lifeguard - G. Kleemann see log entry
April 24: The mayor of Del Mar (an ex-LA lifeguard), Earl Maas, helps out from noon on. Big surf, seven rescues that day.
April 25: Dave Willingham works
May 8: Del Mar holds first lifeguard test. 24 applicants. pictures Air 63, Water 62, Surf 2-3 Ft. Navy helicopter assists. See log entry.
Lifeguards hired for season one: Ron Jensen, Peter Critchlow, Paul Kraus, Gerry Maier, and Jack Ross. Total force counting Captain Stevens, six lifeguards. Starting lifeguard I wage $2.10 per hour.
June 28: In the early years, Del Mar Lifeguards responded to auto accidents too. See log entry and photo (coast highway, looking north. lifeguard truck in distance). During the Fair they were called on to assist the fire department in administering first aid log entry
July 4th: Sunday, all six lifeguards worked. Weather: Foggy, Air 62, Water 66. Attendence: 400 Swimmers, 100 Surfers, 1500 Patrons. No red ink (one minor first aid, no rescues this day). log entry
Sept. 18: When boats were in distress, San Diego County guards were called in to assist. Here the county launched their boat at 25th St. log entry
October 12: On occasion, Deer could be seen in Del Mar. Here a buck gets hit crossing coast highway. log entry
Nov. 21: Del Mar Lifeguards would also assist in rescues out of Del Mar. A request by Torrey Pines rangers had the DMLG respond near Black's beach. log
