Dennis White Named 2016 Lifeguard of the Year in San Clemente

SAN CLEMENTE, CA —Each year the San Clemente Exchange Club hosts the San Clemente Lifeguard of the Year luncheon. This year Dennis White received the honor, as voted by his peers, at a luncheon held on September 22nd.

Dennis received this honor for his work with the City of San Clemente’s Marine Safety Division. In addition to recognition as the 2016 Lifeguard of the Year, as tradition would have it, Dennis received a surfboard with his name on it. The surfboard was manufactured and donated by Greydon and Christy Day. Other generous sponsors of the Lifeguard of the Year award were Rainbow Sandals, Beach Fire, Conrad Realty, Kelan O’Brien, Rich’s Signs, Printing OC, and Albertson’s.

Dennis is a native of San Clemente whose best childhood memories took place on the beach. He participated as a Junior Lifeguard for four years and became a lifeguard for the City of San Clemente in 2008. His brother Kyle White also works for the city as an ocean lifeguard. Dennis was promoted to supervisor in 2013 and assigned the role of Junior Guard Coordinator in 2014.

As a San Clemente native, Dennis has grown up around the ocean, learning skills which have directly transferred to the world of lifeguarding. While attending Shorecliffs middle school, Dennis won the State longboarding championship. While at San Clemente High School, Dennis was the runner-up for both the state and national titles in the longboarding division Dennis graduated from San Clemente High School in 2010 after playing water polo all four years.

After high school, Dennis attended Saddleback College and transferred to California State University, Fullerton where he is majoring in communications.

Dennis is an all-around waterman and winner of lifeguard Waterman’s Grand Slam event in 2014. Currently, he is in the process of going through the California State Parks Peace Officer Academy to be a full-time lifeguard this October.

“Dennis has excellent public relations skills, character traits, and integrity. As such, he has been a fantastic role model for younger guards and the Junior Lifeguards. His excellent lifeguarding skills can be trusted to handle any situation on the beach with utmost efficiency and competence,” said Marine Safety Chief Bill Humphreys.

Picture, courtesy San Clemente City Manager's Office