In case you haven't heard, there's a new race on the 2025 Calendar. The Lifeguard Lap, hosted by Central Coast Prone Paddlers, is set for Saturday, April 12th. We caught up with Jeff Martin, Sean Martin, and Shane Sawyer to get the lowdown on their crew, the race, and why we all should add it to our lists.
How did you all start paddling?
Jeff: My paddling journey began in my early twenties during rookie school with LA County Lifeguards. I found myself competing with high school-aged pool swimmers who outpaced me in the swim legs, so I turned to rescue boards. My surfing background gave me an edge over the swimmers, and paddling quickly became a natural fit. My twin brother Sean and I would often paddle together at a local lake where he worked, sharing both competition and camaraderie. Paddling took on a new dimension when my son, Sean, caught the bug as a young Junior Lifeguard at the age of ten. It was such a joy to watch him enjoy this activity with his friends in the surf zones. His joy in paddling inspired me, and for Sean’s 16 th birthday, we made a trip to visit Joe Bark and gifted Sean a Bark Commander, and that same weekend, purchased a used Bark Commander (thanks to Ventura Harbor Rat Mike Avery). This marked the beginning of our paddling enjoyment together. Initially, our paddling sessions were just the two of us—an opportunity for deep conversations, adventure, getting fit, and a special way to connect as father and son. Those early days on the water are times we will always remember and reflect on. When the pandemic hit a few years later, the world shifted, and paddling became a significant part of our routine. It not only brought us closer together but also helped Sean fulfill his hopes of becoming a beach lifeguard, much like it did for his father years before, only Sean was really good at both paddling and swimming! Our shared efforts on the water not only improved our paddling fitness but deepened our bond. For both of us, paddling evolved from a thing to connect, into an essential part staying fit and enjoying God's amazing creation in the ocean and beaches.
Shane: I initially started paddling while in our local junior lifeguard program in Avila Beach. As much convincing as it took from my family to get me to do the program, it turned out to be the highlight of my year, hands down. Within the first few years, I began landing a position on the paddle relay teams and eventually worked my way up to competing at the national level in Hermosa Beach. With 8 years under my belt in JGs, I was forced into the lifeguard academy if I wanted to continue pursuing my time on the sand. Throughout the next few years, I worked as a lifeguard at Avila along with Sean where we regularly did 2-3 mile long paddles amongst other ocean-heavy workouts. I knew I enjoyed paddling but our annual 6-mile paddle to Pismo Pier on rescue boards always brought me a unique level of happiness and peacefulness. Fast forward to 2023 when Joe Lyons proposed to me the idea of doing the Catalina classic the following summer and my response was, “uh yeah sure bro,” with the idea that I would just paddle my 10’6 sprint board alongside him while he trains. However, an opportunity for a very inexpensive commander popped up and I took it as my sign to start training. Paddling itself has proven to be a bit of a therapeutic activity for me, as it is for many others. It truly is an escape from the world as you can be in the middle of the ocean with no cell phone, completely alone, with no roads or forced directions to take. It is some of the most freeing moments of my week, as so much of a ‘paddle’ is up to what I want to do. What keeps me in the water on the cold and windy days is exactly this. It is such a great time to force myself to process and reflect on life and slow down in a world of so much hurrying and rushing.
What’s it like paddling in SLO?
Jeff: Paddling here is mostly great! The area offers a mix of conditions and locations from local harbors and beaches to surf zones and lakes. You can experience flat water, bumps, downwinding, and even waves. During most of the year, especially because of large winter waves, prone paddling has to take place in Port. Water and weather are mostly good with occasional gales and cold water in the spring for a month or so. For better or worse, paddling on the central coast is often done alone. Speaking for me, my life is full of people and lots of personal and work communities, so paddling is a good way to work out some thoughts, unwind, and destress. For Sean, paddling mostly involves work as a lifeguard, in and out of the surf zone and is largely accomplished with work friends and other activities to stay fit and connected at Avila Beach. However, over the past few years, we are starting to see more community form with paddling and there are about a dozen or less paddlers gaining time in the water together. Over the past year, beyond just paddling together, Sean and I, we have spent a lot of time on the water with Shane Sawyer and Joe Lyons and we developed friendships and connection this way. From time to time, other pals have joined, which include Patrick Kimbell, Adam Fukushima, Adrian Ott, Drasko Bogdanovic, Malcom Dunk, and Dylan Read (who returned back to her roots in South Bay). We’ve even paddled with some incredible athletes and Catalina legends, Foster Cambell, James Mellor, and even had a brief connect at Port with Casimir “Cas” Pulaski, a local area long time surfer, multi-Classic finisher, who also survived a massive white shark encounter in 1982 while prone paddling along Point Buchon just south of Morro Bay.
Shane: Paddling in SLO is sick! I grew up surfing either in Santa Cruz or in SLO, so paddling in the Norcal/central California water just felt normal. One day it will be the middle of February and 80 degrees outside with glassy water, the next day it will be 55 degrees as the high and blowing 30mph. However, the one constant is that the water gets cold. Oftentimes, springtime will bring a few days that dip below 50, and that's when I really learn how to push my limits. We have a loop, nearly identical to The Lifeguard Lap course, that we have put countless laps on. Whether that's in the dark before opening the tower, after work during sunset, or sometime in between. The whole port is filled with friendly watermen and part of why I love this route is it’s always exciting to see who you might run into on the water. The paddle community in the area is certainly smaller than most Socal paddle communities, but we are growing rapidly! In 2024 we had a handful of days with 7or 8 of us out on boards, which felt surreal after most of the training days being just Jeff, Joe, and I with the occasional fourth person.
Tell us about Central Coast Prone Paddlers.
Jeff: This was mostly Sean’s idea who said we should start a paddle club, much like the many running clubs forming. It originally started on a GroupMe app to let others know when we are paddling here locally. That approach was inspired by the Ventura Harbor Rats, a very active paddling group a few hours south of us. Sean and I later started an Instagram site called the Central Coast Prone Paddlers that he and Shane continue today. The workouts and paddles over the past year have mostly included what we call “Port” which is an out and back stretch from the Port San Luis launch to Lighthouse Beach near historic Smith Rock. It allows for a variety of paddle workouts, casual and vigorous. There are a variety of markers for intervals and rhythms of the paddle routine. Sometimes we go further across the San Luis Bay to White Rock (7 miles) to even Pismo Beach and back (about 13 miles). There is a lot to see and experience.
Shane: I got serious about paddling after Jeff and Sean had come up with the idea of forming a group, so they're the true founders of the club. Last year seemed to have the most growth in it with the creation of a GroupMe and Instagram page to get the word out, but we are excited to see what comes for this season! Personally, this season I would like to adopt something similar to the South Bay Paddle Club folks, where they get a coffee and hang out a bit after a regular weekly paddle. Curating this type of community in such a niche sport can only help those who are interested in joining!
What made you guys want to get a race going up here? Why did you choose this
course specifically?
Jeff: Sean and I have talked about the idea for years, bringing a bonafide paddle event to the area that is prone paddling specific. Our motivation was to showcase the area with other like-minded paddlers and perhaps raise money for our local lifeguards. The course we landed on was the most common route we take. Many paddlers and local lifeguards paddle this course and loop, which is how we landed at the name, The Lifeguard Lap. It also captures several features that make it beautiful and fun. You have a flat water entry and will see historic Harford Pier, turn around Smith Rock and then go across San Luis Bay which gives view of all the beaches, Fossil Point, Avila Beach and pier, and the Cal Poly Marine Science Pier. We observed that most paddle events are not much for family and friends to watch. We often leave the shoreline and then for a period are unnoticed until we arrive back or to the destination. We decided to create a different experience, a multitap event, so that it can be enjoyed and watched from the shoreline and see the event unfold, giving both the paddlers and shoreline viewers a different way to see the event.
Shane: Last summer while spending countless hours in Jeff’s presence on the water, I can barely count on two hands the number of times that Jeff talked about getting a race going. While I always thought it sounded pretty epic, it wasn’t until Jeff mentioned permits at the beginning of this year that it would not only sound epic but it would be epic since all signs were pointing toward it happening. That is when I realized I could probably help out a bit more than being a cheerleader on the sidelines, but we are so lucky to have the opportunity to work with OpenWater amongst many other sponsors to put on this event. The course was a bit of an automatic decision in my eyes as we wanted something shorter to mid-range for distance and our regular lap could provide a chance for those who are newer to the sport to be able to race without the commitment of 10+ miles. We also can attest that the course is a very effective way to see the entire port and all the beauty it has to offer.
What makes this race unique?
Jeff: Compared to so many other events, this is not necessarily unique, except perhaps its rare to see hands only paddling events here on the Central Coast. Perhaps some of the unique experiences can be the destination – there is a lot to do, see, and experience here and the paddling event is just a small part. And, this can attract folks from both Southern and Northern California. We hope the “race” is fun and competitive for sure, but the motivation is to showcase the area, enjoy paddling with likeminded people, and have a fun weekend. There is so much to do and see around here and hope so many enjoy it.
Shane: The uniqueness of this race would have to be centered around the area where it is taking place. With the closest races being the Davenport downwinder a few hours north, and the Malibu downwinder a few hours south, it felt as though hosting a race in SLO needed to happen. Additionally, I can truly say that SLO County as a whole is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, and love getting to share this gem of coastline with others. Within 30 minutes you can be paddling in Port San Luis or mountain biking on top of Cuesta grade, overlooking the green valleys below. It's truly an incredible place that has shown me so much about the beauty of nature and only feels fair to share this creation with others.
Anything else we should know?
Jeff: The race and event is not only a destination experience, but potentially a way to be a blessing to others. Having recently met Danny Nichols, long time Huntington Beach surfer, paddler, businessman, and co-founder of Open Water, it was clear that we connected with someone who not only had shared our values to serve and give back (appreciation for military service men and women, first responders, law enforcement and lifeguards), but had the organizational experience to make events happen. When we approached his team through Adam Harmeling, Whitney Erickson, and Open Water co-founder Kyle Kelly, they were immediately on board and because of Open Water, the event became possible.
However, without the encouragement of Joe Bark and the support of Bark Boards, it is unlikely we would have had the energy to get involved. He wanted to see it happen and believed it would get attended, so we went for it. Since we are at it, Sean and I should take a moment to thank everyone. Thank you, Bark Boards, Mid State Containers (Jake and Anya Knotts), JM Architecture (my wife Jennifer), Mersea’s (Mike Hoffman), ES Aero (Andy and Jennette Gibson), Central Coast Surfboards (Scott Smith) to name just a few. Finally, big thanks to Open Water (Whitney Erickson), and friend and local lifeguard Shane Sawyer for their efforts to bring this event together. We just published the Lifeguard Lap on Paddle Guru. Go sign up!
Shane: This is hopefully just the beginning of a long future ahead for racing on the central coast as well as just leisurely paddles. If you are looking for a community to join in the area, please don't hesitate to reach out to any one of us or message us on our Instagram and we would be stoked to help guide you in the right direction or spend some time on the water with you!
Film photos by Delci Sawyer
Comments