San Clemente Native Kyle White Named Lifeguard of the Year

From a press release:

San Clemente Lifeguard Kyle White received recognition today at the San Clemente Exchange Club’s annual Lifeguard of the Year event.

Co-sponsors of the event included Beach Fire Restaurant and Rainbow Sandals. The award recipient is determined following a vote of San Clemente lifeguards.

This year’s award recipient was presented with an award and new surfboard designed by Garth Day from the Exchange Club, an original painting from Artist Sharyn Evert, and a plaque from the citizens of San Clemente presented by Mayor Tim Brown, which read: “Presented to Kyle White for demonstrating professionalism, bravery and commitment while guarding the lives of beachgoers.”

Lifeguard Kyle White is a San Clemente native, born and raised. Kyle grew up spending his free time at the beach surfing and participated in the city-run junior lifeguard program.

Kyle got an early start on his lifeguarding career at the age of 12 by rescuing a 40-year old woman while camping in Northern California. The United States Lifesaving Association awarded Kyle a “Heroic Acts” medal for his quick actions while rescuing the victim.

While attending San Clemente High, Kyle was on the swim team and played water polo, two sports he says that led him to want to try lifeguarding. He began lifeguarding for the City in 2005 and has been an integral part of the team at lifeguard station 56 for the last 10 years. Kyle enjoys the fact that he gets to help the public on a day-to-day basis, loves that the job keeps him close to the ocean, and appreciates the chances he gets to pass on his ocean knowledge and beach safety to the city’s visitors.

“I was thrilled to have been chosen by my peers as the “Lifeguard of the Year”, and I look forward to contributing to station 56’s continued success,” said Kyle White.

PHOTO Kyle White. Courtesy the city of San Clemente.