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Ben Carlson Foundation

@bencarlson_foundation

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Honoring the legacy of the Newport Beach hero lifeguard, Ben Carlson. #bendidgo 🇺🇸

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We are so grateful to everyone who supported the Ben Carlson Foundation in 2025. Your generosity has helped us award scholarships, advance water safety education, and support lifeguards both locally and internationally. Through partnerships and programs, we continue to promote drowning prevention, provide essential safety gear, and share the inspiring stories of lifeguards through initiatives like @thelifeguardproject … all which ultimately helps save lives!

On this Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in carrying forward Ben’s legacy by making a generous donation to the Ben Carlson Foundation. Your support directly helps empower the next generation of lifesavers and creates safer communities around the water.

Thanks so much for standing with us and making an impact! Visit the link in our bio to give today.

#bendidgo #givingtuesday #watersafety #givingback taken in Ben Carlson Mermorial Statue by @bencarlson_foundation

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10 months ago

10 years ago today, Ben made his final rescue, heroically saving the life of a swimmer in distress, while courageously sacrificing his own. Since his untimely passing on July 6th, 2014, Ben’s legendary story has been heard around the world and has inspired a lot of good, in the wake of such a tragedy.

From his family and the Ben Carlson Foundation, we sincerely thank you all for the continuous outpour of love and support. We’re so grateful to be surrounded by an amazing community, and are blessed to have so many folks who have helped us carry on Ben’s most deserving and heroic legacy.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self-discipline.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for another.

We love and miss you Ben.

@newportbeachlifeguards

#bendidgo #hero #10yearstoday #legend #lifeguard by @bencarlson_foundation

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2 years ago

Congratulations to Jeffrey Hatfield, the 2026 USLA Ben Carlson Lifeguard of the Year! 🏆

The United States Lifesaving Association, in partnership with the Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation, is proud to recognize Jeff Hatfield of the Lifeguard Services Division of San Diego Fire-Rescue for his extraordinary dedication to lifesaving.

A native San Diegan, Jeff has dedicated 35 years to protecting his community. His extensive experience spans ocean and cliff rescues, rescue boat operations, underwater search and recovery, and specialized maritime response.

Beyond his rescue accomplishments, Jeff has helped prepare the next generation of lifeguards, sharing decades of operational knowledge and experience. He has also served as president of the San Diego Lifesaving Association, furthering aquatic safety through education and community service.

📍Jeff will be honored November 11 at the USLA National Lifesaving Conference in Jacksonville, Florida.

This year’s award also includes a new $2,500 support grant to the San Diego Lifesaving Association to advance training, education, and community water safety initiatives.

👏 Please join us in celebrating Jeff’s remarkable career and commitment to lifesaving excellence!

#USLA #LifeguardOfTheYear #BenDidGo #LifeguardsForLife #StillSandy by @bencarlson_foundation

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4 days ago

“To bring awareness to lifeguarding and lifesaving, anytime I can get behind that, 100%.” — @kaheevay

#OluKai #AnywhereAloha by @bencarlson_foundation

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4 days ago

BEN DID GO 11.0. Dedicated to Ben Carlson and Brian Olson. 🤍🌊
Ambassadors Luke, Maddix, and Kaiwi paddled alongside an incredible group of watermen and waterwomen in honor of Ben Carlson, completing a 30-mile paddle from Catalina to Newport Beach.

A test of physical strength, mental determination, and camaraderie in a pursuit bigger than themselves.

Head to our YouTube channel to watch the full paddle now.

#OluKai #AnywhereAloha by @bencarlson_foundation

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10 days ago

Through NMUSD’s Expanded Learning Program, 180 students in grades 2–6 from Killybrooke, Rea, Wilson, and Victoria elementary schools are taking free swim lessons twice a week for 10 weeks. Students of all skill levels are building water safety skills and confidence, with transportation, swimsuits, and goggles provided at no cost to families. We’re grateful to our community partners, including the Ben Carlson Foundation, City of Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Aquatics Department, and YMCA Back Bay, for helping make these opportunities possible. 🌊

This is the #NMUSD #StrategicPlan in action, building connections between schools and community partners to give students enriching experiences and skills that last a lifetime. @killybrooke_school @rea_sharks @wilsonnmusd @vicscholars1 @bencarlson_foundation @cityofcostamesa @ymcaoc by @bencarlson_foundation

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12 days ago

Ben Did Go 11.0

Thanks for all the epic photos @zanmilan taken in Newport Beach, California by @bencarlson_foundation

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18 days ago

Last week I got the opportunity to help out with photos for the #bendidgo paddle from Avalon to Newport Pier! Thanks @spencestagramin for getting me all situated! by @bencarlson_foundation

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20 days ago

30 miles from Catalina to Newport in honor of Ben Carlson. Thank you to everyone who helped support this event, who raised money for the lifeguards and connected this community even closer. Much love to you all. Ben Did Go ❤️ @bencarlson_foundation taken in Newport Beach, California by @bencarlson_foundation

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24 days ago

The Ben Carlson Foundation started after a tragedy in the water with goals of increasing water safety and lifeguard scholarships. The Foundation has been blessed by a community of supporters, including especially those who joined the Ben Did Go paddle from Catalina to Newport Beach this year.

It is with a heavy heart and in coordination with family that we share tragic news from the paddle this past Saturday.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., about 10 miles out from Avalon, paddler Brian Olson lost consciousness. Our safety team, lead by the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group (BWRAG), California State Lifeguards & Huntington Beach City Lifeguards, responded immediately and provided advanced life support. California State lifeguards transported him to Newport Beach Fire Department personnel on land who transported him to Hoag Hospital.

Despite every effort, Brian did not survive. He passed Saturday evening.

We as a Foundation of individuals who were forged together by loss are devastated. Brian was part of a tight-knit community of paddlers who trained and qualified for this adventure that honors service and endurance. His passing leaves a profound absence in our community, and more importantly, his family.

We hold the Olson family in our thoughts and prayers, and ask all those reading this message to do so as well.

The Ben Carlson Foundation stands with the Olson family. We will remember Brian. taken in Newport Beach, California by @bencarlson_foundation

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25 days ago

On Saturday, September 19, 2026 nine California State Lifeguards paddled from Catalina Island to Newport Beach in support of the Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Foundation.

Each year, this event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for beach safety education and water safety projects both locally and internationally.

We are incredibly proud of our Cal State Lifeguards who dedicated their time, effort, and countless miles spent paddling in honor of fallen Newport Beach Lifeguard hero Ben Carlson and his legacy.

Well done crew!

Pictured left to right:

E. Pommerenk
S. Pirdy
T. Saltonstall
B. Ray
S. Barker
L. Boyle
R. Demoss
M. Voci-Machado
E. Hutchinson

It’s a great day… To be a State lifeguard.

#bendidgo taken in Newport Pier, Newport Beach by @bencarlson_foundation

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a month ago

Congratulations to all of the athletes who paddled on Saturday in honor of Ben Carlson.

Starting at dawn, the group paddled more than 30 miles from Catalina Island to Newport Beach, coming together to honor Ben’s life, legacy, and love for the ocean.

A powerful day on the water, and a meaningful way to keep his memory alive.

#OluKai #AnywhereAloha #BenCarlson by @bencarlson_foundation

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