A bronze statue depicting two lifeguards has San Clemente city leaders’ approval, giving the green light for the artwork highlighting the coastal town’s appreciation for the first responders who keep residents and tourists safe at the beach.
The San Clemente Lifeguard and Junior Lifeguard Foundation brought the idea forward at last week’s City Council meeting, and now the nonprofit needs to raise $250,000 for the approved project.
The mock-ups for the sculpture to be called “The Rescue” went through the city’s design subcommittee and the arts and culture committee for feedback, said Samantha Wylie, beaches, parks and recreation director.
The statue would sit in a grassy area at Parque Del Mar overlooking the city’s wooden pier, the lifeguards looking out toward the sea.
“It’s a monument that depicts both a male and a female lifeguard watching over the waters. It was important to the foundation and the artist to make sure that their eyes are on the water. We never want our lifeguards taking their eyes off the water,” Wylie said.
The goal is to educate the public that our “lifeguards are dedicated to constantly looking forward,” she said.
The statue would be the second in the county honoring lifeguards, with Newport Beach installing a bronze statue in 2016 in honor of Ben Carlson, a guard who died during a rescue 10 years ago.
San Clemente’s statue will be about 8-feet tall and installed on a concrete base.
The sculpture is designed by Bill Limebrook, the same artist who designed the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi, as well as all the sculptures in Dana Point along Pacific Coast Highway at the town’s Waterman’s Plaza.
Greg Hulsizer, boardmember of the Lifeguard Foundation, called the statue an “opportunity to recognize the city’s 90-plus-year commitment to safety on our our beaches.”
He said that, based on records, there’s been close to 120,000 people rescued through the years.
“Those are people that get to go home every night. And so safety is in our DNA,” he said.
Jim Kempton, executive director for the California Surf Museum and longtime San Clemente resident, said the statue will be a “tremendous amenity” for the city and a great honor for the heroes who save thousands of lives.
“Everyone that we know,” he said, “is in total support of this in the surfing community.”
