Before Baywatch – Women, Water and Saving Lives

SOPF 2026 Summer Speaker Series

Wednesday, August 19
Historic Cottage at San Clemente State Beach

Debbie Friedman, Author of GUARDED, on California's First Women Ocean Lifeguards

Hosted Reception & Gallery Exhibit Viewing 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Presentation begins at 7:30 pm

Title: Before Baywatch – Women, Water and Saving Lives

Join us for a funny, high-stakes and inspiring look at California’s first generation of women ocean lifeguards.

Debbie Friedman served as one of the first California State Parks ocean lifeguards in San Clemente and Huntington State Beaches from 1978 to 1990, during the first generation of women entering the profession. Drawing on her own experiences and those of other pioneering women lifeguards, she authored GUARDED: Women, Water, and Saving Lives.

Since her lifeguard training in the rookie class of 1978 at Huntington State Beach, Debbie has received numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious 2025 Robert J Isenor Award. Debbie was among the first women hired as ocean lifeguards in California. She shared her life with Alex Peabody, a career lifeguard. Their children, Ryan and Clare, grew up in Junior Lifeguards and later worked as seasonal lifeguards.

Debbie lives in Santa Cruz County, California, where she walks the beaches below her home in Aptos and still watches the water. GUARDED is her first book.

Reception music by local favorites, Hans and Janine.

Reception Sponsors: Artifex Brewing Company and Terlato Wines

San Clemente Times – Official Media Partner

Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door