On the water -- An often thankless job

Paul Clinton

NEWPORT BEACH -- Paul Milosch isn’t complaining, but he says his

services are rarely appreciated.

Milosch is a lifeguard with California State Parks. As such, he

patrols Crystal Cove, Huntington State Beach and Bolsa Chica State Beach.

It sounds a little odd, but apparently few of the people Milosch saves

from drowning as they’re flailing in the ocean water actually thank him.

It’s OK, Milosch said. He’s just doing his job.

But usually people who nearly drown are more embarrassed that they’ve

headed too far from shore or been pulled by a rip current.

“It’s better to be a little embarrassed than to have your friends

attending your funeral,” Milosch said. “You feel so good when you save

someone.”

Milosch heads up the state’s local lifeguarding unit, which is based

in Newport Harbor. A team of 70 lifeguards patrols Crystal Cove State

Beach, Huntington State Beach and Bolsa Chica State Beach.

Using two boats based in the harbor -- both have been christened “Surf

Watch” -- the lifeguards can dart out to pull a helpless swimmer out of

the drink.

Milosch estimates his crew rescues about 15,000 people a year. As

evidence of the crew’s sterling track record, Milosch points out that

only two swimmers have drowned in the past decade -- they were both in

2001.

With summer upon us now -- beach goers have been hitting the beaches

for the past several weeks -- Milosch said his crew is gearing up for the

busiest season.

On a busy summer weekend, Milosch says his crew will log 300 rescues.

The boats have been a godsend to the lifeguards who say swimmers can

be pulled out of the water much quicker. Operating on two 496-cubic-foot

engines, at a cost of $250,000 a piece, the boats are also used to patrol

the waters.

Lifeguards can jump off the boat’s rear platform, carrying a flotation

device, when they’re performing a rescue.

Milosch, 42, has basically seen it all as a lifeguard. He has been

patrolling beaches for 26 years, including the last 16 in Newport Beach.

He is married to wife Dee and has two children. They live in San

Clemente.