LA JOLLA, California (7 May 2009) — Jimmy Canale's 53rd birthday could have been a disaster. Canale was setting up the La Jolla Cove lifeguard station about 8 a.m. Friday. He has spent 28 of his 30 years as a lifeguard there. Off-duty lifeguard Tom Thayer, 59, stopped by with a wheatgrass energy drink as a birthday present – but it would have to wait. Canale spotted a scuba diver in trouble about 100 yards off shore. As he grabbed his board and headed to sea, Thayer called for backup. The diver, who weighed more than 300 pounds, was too heavy for his struggling companion to keep afloat. Both repeatedly went under. Canale managed to get distressed diver on his rescue board and headed ashore as another lifeguard joined him. The man, who was barely conscious, was given oxygen, revived and rushed to a hospital, where he reportedly recovered. "Both divers could easily have drowned," Canale said. A year ago, they probably would have. The reason? The Cove's lifeguard station doesn't officially open until 9 a.m., except during 10 summer weeks, leaving a coverage gap from 8 a.m., when the night shift leaves, to nearly 9 a.m., when the day shift arrives. A lifesaving choice Lifeguards' pleas for "gap coverage" went unheeded because of San Diego's budget troubles. So lifeguard Lt. John Greenhalgh, 54, eliminated the traditional patrol from Mission Bay headquarters up the coast to the Cove at 8 every morning in favor of Cove coverage. "Dive clubs and swim clubs are here in the morning – 50 to 60 people are swimming at that hour," said supervising Sgt. James Gartland. Since last June, 17 rescues have been made at the Cove between 8 and 9 a.m., Gartland said. "If John hadn't pushed for and changed the 8 o'clock patrol; if Tom hadn't stopped by to celebrate his pal's birthday; if James hadn't spotted the guy in trouble and made an incredible rescue, that diver would have died," Gartland said. He said all three veteran lifeguards will probably retire next month to avoid losing some city retirement benefits, which are about to change. | | La Jolla Cove Life Station "All three are extremely passionate about their jobs," he said. "It was a weird coincidence but a defining moment." When asked how many people he has saved in his 30 years as a lifeguard, Canale said he has no idea. "I don't remember. But they do. People come up to me all the time and say, 'You rescued me,' or 'my mom,' or 'my aunt' or someone," he said. "They never forget." Said Gartland: "The guy has had a perfect record. There has never been a death at La Jolla Cove while Jimmy's been on duty over the past 28 years." by Diane Bell
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