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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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FINANCIAL FLUENCY STARTS YOUNG 🏫🍎📈

Today @spinninvest President Joe Stapleton visited Ensign Intermediate School @ensignschool for an engaging conversation on financial fluency with Mrs. Carly Gould’s class, answering some impressive questions from the next generation!

🤔 Understanding the value of a dollar
💰 The power of saving and financial independence
📈 Compound interest and dollar-cost averaging
💡 Smart investing and building long-term wealth

The takeaway? It’s never too early to understand the value of money, the power of saving, and how financial knowledge can shape your future. Special thanks to Mrs. Carly Gould for welcoming us and @ensign_principal Jenn Fox, for having us.

At Spinnaker, we believe investing in our community starts with investing in the next generation. START YOUNG. SAVE SMART. INVEST WISELY.

What’s ONE piece of financial advice you wish you’d learned at their age? We’d love to know…. ⬇️

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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

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

#OluKai #AnywhereAloha

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🌊🌊🌊 Still Paddling

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Mick DiBetta @allpaddling

Mick served as a lifeguard on the Gold Coast for 40 years; retiring just a few years ago.
He talks about the impact and influence of his career on his life. It’s powerful and his emotions tell the story.

Couple his career with his passion for prone paddling and competing at the very highest level while coaching others to be their best; and you get a pretty good understanding of the impact Mick has made on those that love the ocean… all over the world.

Find the inspiring interview with Mick on the @mark_schulein_passion_project on all podcast platforms, YouTube and wherever you get your content.

#lifesaving #goldcoast #prone #molokai #coach

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One of our favorite moments from Homecoming last week was the grand entrance of the court! Thanks @nboceanlifeguards for the ride #NewportHarborAlumni #Homecoming2026 #SailorFamily #GoTars

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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

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Ben Did Go!

Grateful to serve pizza at the annual paddle out in support of @bencarlson_foundation 🍕🌊

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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

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October & 73 degrees ❤️

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Ben Did Go 11.0

Thanks for all the epic photos @zanmilan

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Beyond stoked to have been a part of the Ben Carlson Foundation’s Ben Did Go 11.0 Channel Crossing! This has been a long-time goal of mine, and it was surreal to finally make it happen with my brother Allen!

Thank you to everyone who supported us along the way. This year, the community was able to raise over $350,000 for water safety!

This paddle was also a reminder of just how powerful the ocean really is. It’s a place we all love and find so much beauty in, but it also has the power to take life in an instant.

I want to recognize Ben Carlson, who gave his life trying to save another, along with everyone else who has lost their life in the ocean we all love.

Paddling those miles gave me a lot of time to think about those we’ve lost and the respect the ocean deserves.

Honored to paddle in their memory and grateful to be part of a community that continues to remember them.

Prayers for Brian Olson and his family

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