Re: Lifeguard story - Dean Westgaard

Good morning everyone,

Here are two replies to my Westgaard story.

Dale Ghere

guarded 1960 to 1974

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: Wed, Sep 2, 2015 at 12:23 AM
Subject: Re: Lifeguard story - Dean Westgaard
To: Dale and Marilyn Ghere <dmghere@gmail.com>

In 1968 I went to the North Shore to surf for the second time.

It was an interesting time to be there. I considered myself a waterman, having swam and played polo for four years in high school, and surfed at the Huntington Beach Pier since I was 9.

My friends I was staying with on Ke Iki Rd woke me one morning telling me that Sunset was perfect. We gotta go now. I'd surfed Rocky Point, Chun's, Laniakea, etc. never Sunset.

We got there about 9am. It was perfect. About 10 feet and clean. We paddled out,  and I had an 8ft gun that my boss at the time, Joey Cabell had given me. (Joey is still my good friend, and lives several blocks from me in Honolulu). 10 feet Hawaii is a little different than 10 ft Trestles, which was the biggest wave I'd previously surfed.

Anyway, I stroked out into the lineup and as soon as I got out there, the waves began to pop. Within 20 minutes, the waves went to 20 feet. I'd try and take off, but  I'd look down that face and the guys that were scrambling up that face looked like ants. Plus, it was popping and I didn't want to get caught inside. I was scared shitless.

All my friends had already gone in. A couple of them were standing on the top of the car waving at me to come in. I thought to myself that this is really embarrassing. I've been a waterman my whole life. I'm at least as good as the rest of these guys out here. No matter how big the next wave is, I'm gonna take it. 

It was about 20ft. Got to the bottom, started my turn, my fin popped out. I got totally tossed.

We didn't have leashes. When I finally got to the surface (seemed like a minute, probably 10 seconds), I was alive. It wasn't so bad, and my board was 5 yards away. Surfed for another half hour.

Next day, a little smaller, but still really good. Plus now I'm the Master of the universe.

Surfed for about 2 hours, and caught an inside shore break wave on the way in. Not paying attention, trying to show off, and went over the falls on about a 10 ft wave. 

I landed feet first in about 3ft of water. My left leg bent the right way. My right leg bent the wrong way. Destroyed my knee and tore all of my cartilage. Flew back to the mainland, checked into Hoag Hospital and was told "they would try to save my leg", because of hitting the reef, I had also gotten phlebitis. 

I woke up from surgery with a cast from my ankle to my hip. The doctor came in and told me I should be grateful that they were able to save my leg. But my surfing days were over, and I would probably need a cane for the rest of my life.

I, needless to say, was bummed out.

After a period of time feeling sorry for myself, I decided to to Orange Coast College and take some classes. I stopped by to see Jack Fullerton, the head coach of the water polo team.

For some reason, Dean Westgaard was in Jack's office. I think he was working part time as a physical therapist for the football team.  He saw that I was in a pretty big cast and asked me what happened. I gave him my sob story, and he suggested I come over to his office the next afternoon, and bring my X-rays and hospital records.

The next afternoon we met. He looked over everything, and when he was finished, he looked up 

at me with that Westgaard look and said "listen kid. Do everything thing I say for the next 6 months and I'll have you running and surfing. It's going to be hard and painful, but I promise.".

He was right. It was extremely hard and painful. He would meet with me 3-4 afternoons a week for a couple of hours. He would torture me with stretching and lifting. Truthfully, at first, I thought he was a sadistic a**hole. But after the first three months, I had dumped the cane. He told me after 5 months that I should tryout for the Laguna Beach Lifeguards.

I made it.

I know most of you don't remember me. But Dean was a very special man. You all know that.

But now you know a little more.

Mike Hartley

Second reply

Great story, Dale. Thanks. Dean did teach us all a great deal about life, in addition to what he taught us about saving lives. I miss him too and think about him often.

Your story reminded me of the time that you were guarding at St. Ann's and there was a kid body surfing who got into a little trouble. You went out and hooked him up in your rescue tube and started to swim him in. There was good body surf running so you told him, "You know how to surf, so let's just ride this wave in." That was going fine until you were nearly on the beach and he pulled out and practically took your head off with the strap. Do you remember that?

            Thanks again, Dale. All the best.

                                                                                    Jim

footnote from Dale.  No, I do not remember this event.  Memory can be elusive and is definitely selective.  That is why I started collecting stories from all of you before we are all gone and then so will our history.  If we do not write our history all will be forgotten.  There are many stories/memories worthy of being recorded.