BajaNomad - Donated lifeguard towers stuck at border

Donated lifeguard towers stuck at border

bajabound2005 - 6-14-2009 at 07:25 AM

Sixteen donated lifeguard towers are stranded in a storage yard near the Otay Mesa border crossing until they can clear Mexican customs. John R. McCutchen / Union-Tribune

After lifeguard agencies in San Diego County decided to donate 16 lifeguard towers to their Baja California counterparts, simply moving the 2,500-pound structures presented a daunting challenge.

But that is turning out to be the easy part. The biggest hurdle has been getting approval from Mexican customs. Two weeks after they were set to cross the border, the structures remain locked in an Otay Mesa storage yard.

“These are key to saving lives,” said Aaron Quintanar, an Imperial Beach lifeguard who has been a link between Southern California agencies donating the towers and the Mexican lifeguards preparing to receive them in Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, Ensenada and Punta Abreojos in Baja California Sur.

Saying the proper paperwork was missing, Mexican customs authorities refused to allow the towers to cross the border May 29, the day the donors had lined up volunteers, forklifts and tractor-trailers needed to move the structures.

“The issue we're having is their size,” said Michael Kieley, a liaison officer with the Tijuana Fire Department, which is the designated Mexican recipient of the towers.

Although transporting lifeguard towers across the border presents unusual logistical and legal challenges, U.S. groups for years have struggled with sending donated items to Mexico under government rules designed to prevent contraband.

“The error people commit is assuming there is no procedure,” said Carlos Ramírez Escoto, Mexico's federal customs administrator for Tijuana. “We understand the work that these people do, but they must help us help them.”

Many nonprofit groups at the border say the process can be cumbersome. When Carlos Torres, a federal congressman from Tijuana, saw groups struggling with the complexity of cross-border donations, he began asking questions.

“Many rules that we have in Mexico are defined 3,000 kilometers away in Mexico City, and here at the border we have a far different dynamic,” Torres said in an interview.

Torres worked closely with customs officials in Mexico City to streamline the process of cross-border donations through a new procedure known as the firma electronica, or electronic signature.

The new form cuts the steps only for those U.S donors whose recipient in Mexico has been certified by the federal government to receive donations.

Pedro Cruz, director of the Fundación Castro Limón, a Tijuana organization that pays for children's cancer treatment, has much praise for the new procedure.

Donations that once might be stuck for months at the border now can cross in a matter of hours, Cruz said. But other items that require a second level of authorization by separate Mexican agencies – such as the health or agriculture ministries – still can face lengthy delays, he said.

“I'd like to see this as a first step,” Cruz said of the electronic signature.

The lifeguard towers were donated through SDALERT, a coalition of San Diego County lifeguard agencies.

They look like tiny cottages, 9 feet tall and measuring 12 feet by 12 feet. Purchased new, the fiberglass towers would cost $14,000 to $16,000 apiece. But now more than 10 years old, with their steel supports showing rust, they would normally be headed for a landfill. The disposal cost for all 16 units was estimated at $20,000, said Quintanar, the Imperial Beach lifeguard.

He said the towers “just need a little TLC.”

The rusting steel supports have been cut off, and the Mexicans will have to build their own support structures. The towers need painting and repairs, but Tijuana's lifeguards are looking forward to getting them.

“They're in really good condition for us,” said Juan Hernandez, head of aquatic rescues for the Tijuana Fire Department.

Tijuana's towers are so deteriorated and dirty that “lifeguards prefer not to climb onto them,” Hernandez said.

Concerned about the difficulty of transporting the towers across the border, Tijuana Mayor Jorge Ramos' administration now has become directly involved, meeting with customs officials and making sure the necessary paperwork is submitted.

The towers' crossing date has not yet been set, Quintanar said last week. He is sure they will be put to good use by Mexican lifeguards once they arrive: “You want your front-line people in a high, comfortable place where you can have a great view.”

[This is part of the article:
MEXICO DONATION FACTS The donor must be a foreign resident.

Donated items must go to recipients in Mexico authorized by federal tax authorities to accept donations. Permitted items include fire engines, tow trucks, computer equipment, wheelchairs, books, musical instruments and new clothes and shoes.

Prohibited items include used clothing and shoes, canned food that has expired and medication that will expire within a year.

Online: To read the International Community Foundation's guide to making donations in Mexico, go to www.uniontrib.com/more/ donationguide

Online: For information in Spanish about donations, go to the Mexican customs agency,
www.uniontrib.com/more/ mexicancustoms]

DENNIS - 6-14-2009 at 07:35 AM

Quote:

[Purchased new, the fiberglass towers would cost $14,000 to $16,000 apiece. But now more than 10 years old, with their steel supports showing rust, they would normally be headed for a landfill. The disposal cost for all 16 units was estimated at $20,000, said Quintanar, the Imperial Beach lifeguard.

And San Diego wonders why they're having budget problems. It's easier to spend than it is to maintain.

Woooosh - 6-14-2009 at 09:41 AM

I saw several weeks ago in the UnionTrib that these towers were coming down. How come no one worked with Mexico in advance so the paperwork would be ready? They were turned away, along with all the voluneteers. Maybe Mexico didn't really want to deal with them (the towers, that is).

All I can see these towers used for in Rosarito is doing drugs, as public restrooms (there are none on Rosarito Beach) and for prostitution at night. Maybe that's why Mexico isn't so excited about getting them. They don't station lifeguards in towers here- they patrol in quads. They had towers years ago- but never manned them or moved them when the winter water came up. They are gone and no one missed them.

I once tried to donate money for lifeguard equipment (floats, etc) because they had absolutely nothing in their ready room- but the lifeguards honeslty told me to save my money- because the Bomberos woud just keep it and they would still have no equipment.

I can only speak for Rosarito Beach. I have lived within eyesight of the existing lifeguard tower (a coverted house on cement stilts) for six years. The Lifeguards here are part of the Bomberos division. The lifeguard jobs are assigned by the fire department to their kids and their kids friends- there are no try-outs or qualificatons for swiming, CPR classes, etc.. The lifeguard "baywatch culture" that is need to run an effective program simple doesn't exist here. At CA beaches they train hard daily and even the junior lifeguards train their little hearts out in hopes of landing a lifeguard job one day. They run and swim miles per day- truly. It's not about the money. The job pays nearly minimum wage- even in the USA. I have a friend who was a permanent summer guard at Bolsa Chica in the OC for many years (winters he taught skiing with me in Colorado). For him and his department- training and lifeguarding were a very serious thing and no one took returning to their position the next year for granted- every year they worked hard to keep it.

The local lifeguards need leadership and training first. In six years I have never seen ONE out swimmng. Not one- Seriously. They race up in quads (usually with a girl or friend riding shotgun on the back) and chase anyone over chest deep out of the water. When an 18 year old friend of my family went missing in the water here two years ago, the lifeguards searched on jetskis for 20 minutes and then told the family the body would proabably wash back up in a few days. Not one dove to the bottom to look for him. Yup- true, and yes- it did wash back up.

What the lifeguards WOULD be excited about, and I have talked with a few- is the training part. They want to train and be real lifeguards but there is no one to teach them. Maybe set up some simple training exchanges with nearby Imperial Beach guards and then ramp it up until it becomes a training culture. But maybe they should start the training culture in the Police or Bomberos first- then the lifeguards. JMObservations

[Edited on 6-14-2009 by Woooosh]

DianaT - 6-14-2009 at 09:51 AM

Aaron has worked, or I should say volunteered, in Baja for many years. He is very experienced and while I know he planned on having those towers down there by now, he will not give up. He has lots of experience with how things work. I am just sorry they are being delayed.

Aaron and his group have done lots of lifeguard training in Baja and also have worked a lot with environmental groups from Tijuana to Cabo.

This year, for the first time, a few of the Bahia Asuncion people are being organized to participate in the lifeguard training in Abreojos, and if all goes well, they will be in Bahia Asuncion next year.

These are not just people who donate items, they are very hands-on with their assistance and work very closely with several groups in Baja.

So, I will keep a positive thought that they get through the paperwork soon.

Diane

[Edited on 6-14-2009 by jdtrotter]

Hook - 6-14-2009 at 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabound2005

Saying the proper paperwork was missing, Mexican customs authorities refused to allow the towers to cross the border May 29, the day the donors had lined up volunteers, forklifts and tractor-trailers needed to move the structures.

Yeah, the proper paperwork happens to be green. :lol:

Woooosh - 6-16-2009 at 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook

Quote:

Yeah, the proper paperwork happens to be green. :lol:

You aren't alone in that thinking. This Letter to the Editor was published in todays Union Trib:

"Lifeguard tower solution Your lead article in “Our Region” June 14 enumerated the problems local lifeguards are having trying to donate used lifeguard towers to their counterpoints in Baja California. The main problem, according to the Mexican government spokesperson, is “paperwork problems.” In Spanish, it’s spelled m-o-r-d-i-d-a. The lifeguards apparently don’t realize that they’re dealing with a Third World country, where everything runs on bribes. All the people on this side of the border need do is grease a few more palms with more money and all the “paperwork problems” will suddenly be solved.

ROBERT EVANS Jamul

bajabound2005 - 6-19-2009 at 07:41 AM

Lifeguard towers clear hold in Mexican customs

TIJUANA: Sixteen used lifeguard towers donated by Southern California lifeguards to their Mexican counterparts are now in Baja California after a 17-day delay at the border caused by paperwork demands of Mexican customs authorities.

The towers, which crossed Wednesday evening, are destined for Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, Puerto Peñasco in Sonora and Punta Abreojos in Baja California Sur. They were donated through SDALERT, a coalition of San Diego lifeguard agencies; they are more than 10 years old and were scheduled to be replaced.

Lorena Flores, assistant director of international affairs for Tijuana, said the delay was primarily because the city hadn't been properly registered with Mexican federal tax authorities to receive such donations.

The size of the towers, which weigh between 2,500 to 3,000 pounds each, was another factor in the delay, said Michael Kieley, a liaison officer for the Tijuana Fire Department.

Rosarito Beach, with more than six miles of coastline, will receive six towers. The city now has one lifeguard tower, Fire Chief Hector Castelán Medina said. –S.D.

DianaT - 6-19-2009 at 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabound2005
Lifeguard towers clear hold in Mexican customs

TIJUANA: Sixteen used lifeguard towers donated by Southern California lifeguards to their Mexican counterparts are now in Baja California after a 17-day delay at the border caused by paperwork demands of Mexican customs authorities.

The towers, which crossed Wednesday evening, are destined for Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, Puerto Peñasco in Sonora and Punta Abreojos in Baja California Sur. They were donated through SDALERT, a coalition of San Diego lifeguard agencies; they are more than 10 years old and were scheduled to be replaced.

Lorena Flores, assistant director of international affairs for Tijuana, said the delay was primarily because the city hadn't been properly registered with Mexican federal tax authorities to receive such donations.

The size of the towers, which weigh between 2,500 to 3,000 pounds each, was another factor in the delay, said Michael Kieley, a liaison officer for the Tijuana Fire Department.

Rosarito Beach, with more than six miles of coastline, will receive six towers. The city now has one lifeguard tower, Fire Chief Hector Castelán Medina said. –S.D.

Great News----they are a great bunch doing a lot of really positive work!

Diane

Woooosh - 6-19-2009 at 09:48 AM

I'm glad they made it across. Five to Rosarito Beach? I hope they have locking doors to keep the troublemakers out at night. I also hope they get them back up on stilts. Otherwise they will cut holes in the floor and they wil become Rosarito's first five public restrooms.

But seriously, this is good news. I'm hopeful this will spark a new wave of safety and professionalism among the Rosarito lifeguards.

Von - 6-19-2009 at 09:51 AM

Thats really cool, there be some awesome life towers now on some mexican beaches.........

Woooosh - 6-20-2009 at 09:52 AM

Fair is fair- so here's the reply from the "Lifeguard Tower Donation Director" to the previous Union Tribune letter. Apparently you need to create a fancy job title for yourself so the Mexican officials can relate. Of course I will closely watch the arrival of the five new towers in Rosarito and will post photos of their arrirval and use.

"Guard tower shipment finally reaches Mexico

On June 14 the Union-Tribune ran an article on local lifeguard efforts to donate 16 retired lifeguard towers to Baja California agencies. Sandra Dibble’s piece did an excellent job of highlighting the problems we encountered securing an import permit from Mexican Customs of?cials. The import permit has been issued and the towers have been transported to lifeguard agencies in Tijuana, Rosarito, and Ensenada.

Days after the original article appeared, the U-T published “Lifeguard tower solution” in the Letters section. I would like to thank the author of the letter for the support but I could not disagree more regarding the bribe allegation. The donation team was never asked for, nor encouraged to pay a bribe in order to resolve the “paperwork problems.” The import permit was obtained thanks to the hard work of donation team members in partnership with Tijuana officials.

The permit was issued, the towers have been transported, and soon they will be helping save lives.

AARON QUINTANAR
Lifeguard Tower Donation Director San Diego"

CaboRon - 6-20-2009 at 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
I'm glad they made it across. Five to Rosarito Beach? I hope they have locking doors to keep the troublemakers out at night. I also hope they get them back up on stilts. Otherwise they will cut holes in the floor and they wil become Rosarito's first five public restrooms.

But seriously, this is good news. I'm hopeful this will spark a new wave of safety and professionalism among the Rosarito lifeguards.

They will be very popular as housing units :lol:

UPDATE: Stuck in TJ

CaboRon - 6-27-2009 at 06:53 AM

Donated Lifeguard Towers Need Rescuing from Tijuana Parking Lot
.By Amy Isackson

Friday, June 26, 2009

At least five of the lifeguard towers a San Diego group donated to Mexico need some rescuing. As KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson explains, the towers are stuck in a parking lot blocks from the beach.

Tijuana lifeguards international liaison, Michael Kieley says they?re searching for the more than 32-hundred dollars it will cost to install the towers on the beach.

About a month ago, the Imperial Beach Lifeguard Association saved the 16 towers from the landfill on the U-S side of the border.

They'd reached the end of their lifespan on beaches around San Diego County.

The association organized the towers' donation to Mexican beach cities, instead of paying approximately 20-thousand dollars to dump them.

The towers were stranded at the Otay Mesa border crossing for a few weeks while groups on both sides of the U-S Mexico border negotiated with Mexican customs.

Kieley says Tijuana lifeguards are hoping businesses and charitable organizations can help cover the costs of building new metal bases for the towers. Each tower needs a base in order to be installed on the beach.

Woooosh - 6-27-2009 at 07:03 AM

So they dumped them in Mexico instead of spending the $20K to dispose of them stateside? If they save $20K by "donating" them, why didn't they donate the $3K to make them usable. How generous to dump their trash- hoping Mexico would find the money to recycle it to makje them usable.

This isn't quite the act of generosity we were led to believe it was. It looks like we are throwing them crumbs and telling them to make bread pudding on their own.

CaboRon - 6-27-2009 at 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
So they dumped them in Mexico instead of spending the $20K to dispose of them stateside? If they save $20K by "donating" them, why didn't they donate the $3K to make them usable. How generous to dump their trash- hoping Mexico would find the money to recycle it to makje them usable.

This isn't quite the act of generosity we were led to believe it was. It looks like we are throwing them crumbs and telling them to make bread pudding on their own.

The same thing happens with fire trucks and pharmacy products.

DENNIS - 6-27-2009 at 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon
The same thing happens with fire trucks and pharmacy products.

I've seen a lot of fire fighting equipment from the states given to Baja communities and NONE of it was trash. They're well maintained and equiped. Most, not all of it goes back to wasteful spending by local governments in the states.
I agree...trash should be recycled. Not gifted, and I'm willing to bet, with proper attention, these towers could have served the public in San Diego well for years to come.

Von - 6-27-2009 at 08:29 AM

Its probably the fuel and the cost of the truck drivers hrs and time it will cost someone to install them. I would imagine someone needs to get a truck driver and tie them down on a truck bed thats not free in Mexico?
$3000 dllrs for all of them I wish i had the money id donate it so i can see them in TJ and Rosarito. As long as there in Mexico by now some how and someone eventually will put them where they belong.........

Woooosh - 6-27-2009 at 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon
The same thing happens with fire trucks and pharmacy products.

I've never met a fireman who didn't respect and maintain perfectly every piece of equipment they touched. Their lives depend on it. Even the oldest equipment is polished - ready for a fire or the Smithsonian.

Metal and salt water don't mix and I'm sure the towers need new legs. The legs should have been part of the "donation" or they shouldn't have made it a huge feel-good story. The "lifeguard tower donations co-ordinator" should be tarred and feathered for not finishing the job.

DENNIS - 6-27-2009 at 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Von
Its probably the fuel and the cost of the truck drivers hrs and time it will cost someone to install them.

It was my understanding that they have a wide base, twenty feet or something like that, which would make them a "Permit Load" on both sides of the border. Lots of manpower...lots of equipment.

longlegsinlapaz - 6-27-2009 at 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Metal and salt water don't mix and I'm sure the towers need new legs. The legs should have been part of the "donation" or they shouldn't have made it a huge feel-good story. The "lifeguard tower donations co-ordinator" should be tarred and feathered for not finishing the job.

I disagree! I understand your thoughts, but look at it from a different perspective....several Mexican beaches will be safer for kids & adults alike due to the increased visibility because of the height. It's better than someone attempting to watch from ground level! And the largest part of the cost was donated in the cost of the towers themselves. Mexicans are pretty ingenious people & they'll find a way to come up with what else is needed to get the towers safe & functional & start saving lives!

Do you honestly feel they'd have been better off without having the towers donated in the first place? :?:

I'm guessing it was the newspapers that made it "a huge feel-good story", not the "lifeguard tower donations co-ordinator", so please turn off the heat under your tar bucket & stuff those feathers back in your pillow before your wife finds out what you did with them!

I believe the term is don't look a gift-horse in the mouth! :bounce:

Woooosh - 6-27-2009 at 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz

Quote:

I believe the term is don't look a gift-horse in the mouth! :bounce:

Sometimes you do.

The "baywatch" culture of lifeguarding simply doesn't exist in Rosarito Beach. They don't even use a "tower" system with the one tower they have (it's chained up to the guard house). The guards wizz around on quads and sometimes a jetski. I doubt they would even sit in a tower all day long. On sunny afternoons they actually block their window with curtains in the guard house because it's just too sunny to stare at the beach out of. Nowhere else in the world would a lifeguard block his ocean view. Anyone who understands what I mean by a "baywatch" professional culture would be stunned at what passes for lifeguarding down here. And it's not about the pay- they aren't paid anything anywhere and it's not why the real ones guard at all.

Lifeguards here don't earn their jobs through cattle call tryouts and swim/run competitions like in San Diego- they get them from family friends on the fire department. There is no lifeguard training, daily training drills and I have never even seen them swim. Truly. Not one lifeguard swimming the coast in six years I've been watching, not one.

Nor do they have any equipment in their "ready room". I offered a donation a few years back to help them buy some basics- but they told me not to waste my money because the fire department would just keep it for themselves.

The last thing they need is towers to play and party in. It takes major training and discipline to be alert all day in a guard tower and watch every nuance of rip currents and track every child in their watch area. They would need to hire people who understand this first.

So IMHO even if the towers were brand new- it's way beyond their capacity to operate effectively until they get the other priorities straight (recruting and training).

The "towers" would better serve Rosarito Beach as the first 5 public restrooms- No legs needed. Cut a hole in the floor, hang some TP and charge 5 pesos. It would save people from pitching tents to use as bathrooms.

We had a family friend drown here and the "lifeguards" wouldn't even swim into the water to look for him. They looked with a jetski for twenty minutes and told the family the body would wash back up in a few days (it did). Can you imagne getting that response in San Diego? It would never ever happen and the guards would never stop the search.

So back to your point- do you look a gift horse in the mouth. If it's a gift you can't use or don't know how to use, maybe yes. And who gives broken gifts? JMHO

mpilgrim - 7-7-2009 at 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
What the lifeguards WOULD be excited about, and I have talked with a few- is the training part. They want to train and be real lifeguards but there is no one to teach them. Maybe set up some simple training exchanges with nearby Imperial Beach guards and then ramp it up until it becomes a training culture. But maybe they should start the training culture in the Police or Bomberos first- then the lifeguards. JMObservations

[Edited on 6-14-2009 by Woooosh]

The Imperial Beach Lifeguard Association has been involved with the training of volunteer lifeguard groups from all over baja since 2005. All of the trainers are strictly volunteer, and have donated time, money, and equipment to make sure those involved received the best possible training.

That being said, Rosarito sent ONE, just ONE lifeguard to the San Diego Regional Lifeguard Academy this year, the academy ALL lifeguards in San Diego County must attend. The Regional Academy coordinators set aside spots specifically for lifeguards from Mexico who are interested.

I myself have thousands of dollars invested in our training programs. And why do I do it, because of the love of my profession, as well as the love of the country.

You said you'd like to make a donation to the Rosarito Lifeguards, may I suggest sending your donation to IBLA. We are a non-profit, you can request your money be spent for equipment or training in Rosarito, and it is tax-deductible. Also, we are always looking for people to be our liason in regards to training. If you know lifeguards who are interested in setting up a training program, we are interested in working with them. Our volunteers are more than willing to start working with them!

Thanks

Mike Pilgrim
Treasurer/Fundraising Coordinator
Imperial Beach Lifeguard Association
www.iblifeguards.org
mike@iblifeguards.org

[Edited on 7-8-2009 by mpilgrim]

[Edited on 7-8-2009 by mpilgrim]

Woooosh - 7-8-2009 at 07:34 AM

Thanks for your reply and for validating my overall position. You are exactly the commited person who fits and maintains the "Baywatch" culture I speak of. You do it for the love, not the money or glory.

I'm glad you are out there for IB and it is too bad Rosarito sent just one person for your training when you would have taken them all. I'd be very interested to know how he did in the training- because 5000 people per day depend on him. I'll bet he was in total baywatch culture shock and couldn't outswim, outsave or even out-tough even your junior lifeguards. Did he even pass or did you give him a pat on the head and send him back home?

One lifeguard with training can't save the 5 thousand beachgoers in Rosarito. Sadly, it's like a lot of things down here- the Rosarito authorities overtalk and can't deliver. You and I can't fix Mexico- Mexico has to fix Mexico. I think the important message is that: Rosarito has one trained lifeguard and anyone who thinks beach safety is a priorty is just plain wrong. They made up the hoopla about the towers coming- but one guy can't sit in five towers at the same time every day to watch 5000 people- even if someday the towers go into service.

What a shame, what a sham, what a non-surprise. really. I have a dead family friend to show for what I knew to be true- these guys are amateurs. Which is really moe dangerous than not being there at all- it gives tourists a false sense of security.

What color beach condition flag do you suggest they put up for "you are on your own?"

DENNIS - 7-8-2009 at 07:41 AM

It's possible the one LG was sent FROM Rosarito...not BY Rosarito and had to pay his/her own way. That wouldn't surprise me given the current state of the economy.
If all goes well, this one student may learn enough to pass on some new found expertise. That would be a positive way to think about this.

shari - 7-8-2009 at 07:49 AM

this is a very interesting thread as it represents a common issue...gringos trying to help mexico. Maybe we cant fix mexico...but we certainly can strive to help in our own small way. If every gringo here just decided to help in ONE small way...whatever interests you...it WOULD make a difference to someone. I have always been a believer in the motto "one person CAN make a difference" even though the problems seem insurmountble.

Now...i think it would be possible for someone in rosarito to meet with the lifeguards and organize a/some training workshops...organize it with Mr.Pilgrims group...spoil the volunteers who come to train. Like the flying sams doctors...it can work if someone takes the time and effort to organize it...some training surely would be better than none and maybe the lifeguards might enjoy learning more and give them more incentive to be a better guard.

Suggestion

Dave - 7-8-2009 at 08:03 AM

Don't get in the water.

I've been down here for eleven years the whole time living on or steps from the water and have been in a total of once.

Put up a sign saying, "Swim at your own risk" and free the lifeguard to do something really important:

Guarding cars. :rolleyes:

bigjohn - 7-8-2009 at 08:26 AM

Or planes.......

mpilgrim - 7-8-2009 at 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
this is a very interesting thread as it represents a common issue...gringos trying to help mexico. Maybe we cant fix mexico...but we certainly can strive to help in our own small way. If every gringo here just decided to help in ONE small way...whatever interests you...it WOULD make a difference to someone. I have always been a believer in the motto "one person CAN make a difference" even though the problems seem insurmountble.

Now...i think it would be possible for someone in rosarito to meet with the lifeguards and organize a/some training workshops...organize it with Mr.Pilgrims group...spoil the volunteers who come to train. Like the flying sams doctors...it can work if someone takes the time and effort to organize it...some training surely would be better than none and maybe the lifeguards might enjoy learning more and give them more incentive to be a better guard.

Thanks for the support, we have been working with Chelo and the crew down at Abreojos for 3 years now with another trip coming up in the Fall, and its been getting bigger and bigger and we are touching more and more people. Now with the Trotter's on board in Bahia Asuncion, we have another contact, and another town to "drown proof"!

The biggest thing is, it take those who care, to take the next step. So, Woosh, since you are down in Rosarito full time, and you know some of those who are filling the lifeguard duties down in Rosarito, why not make contact with them, I'm sure most are familiar with what we do, and let them know we are here to help, all they have to do is ask. Help us help them. We work hand in hand with Tijuana and Ensenada and would love to have Rosarito on board.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050729/news_1m29sa...

http://www.baja.com/news/Baja-Lifeguards-Save-3-Tourists/

http://www.paddlesurf.net/2008/09/punta-abreojos-volunteer-l...

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080909/news_1m9sea...

BajaDove - 7-8-2009 at 11:32 AM

Most people come to enjoy the sun and the sea
Many Mexicans make there living on the sea
not many take a plane to work

mpilgrim - 7-8-2009 at 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
It's possible the one LG was sent FROM Rosarito...not BY Rosarito and had to pay his/her own way. That wouldn't surprise me given the current state of the economy.
If all goes well, this one student may learn enough to pass on some new found expertise. That would be a positive way to think about this.

The lifeguard sent from Rosarito, was sent to represent Rosarito and was driving a Rosarito Bombero's vehicle. We do not ask them to pay for the class.

shari - 7-8-2009 at 11:40 AM

welcome to the nomad board mr.pilgrim and thanks for all the great work you do...look forward to meeting you sometime in asuncion.

DENNIS - 7-8-2009 at 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpilgrim
The lifeguard sent from Rosarito, was sent to represent Rosarito and was driving a Rosarito Bombero's vehicle. We do not ask them to pay for the class.

It just doesn't pay to give Rosarito the benefit of the doubt. If a thousand people drown in the surf there, Torres will just blame the US press instead of his useless self.

mpilgrim - 7-8-2009 at 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
welcome to the nomad board mr.pilgrim and thanks for all the great work you do...look forward to meeting you sometime in asuncion.

Shari,

Thanks for the support. I hope to get down to the next training session this fall but unfortunately I picked up a head coaching job for a local high school's water polo team and the trip is planned for the middle of my season. I do plan on doing a drive by this winter on my way to Todos! I'll give you a holler!

Thanks

Mike

Woooosh - 7-8-2009 at 09:13 PM

Rosarito doesn't take beach safety seriously. You can't shmooze or spoil people into being a dedicated lifeguard- it comes from the heart. Hundreds of young people COMPETE for these positions stateside- not get appointed by a family friend- they earn their jobs.

MPilgrim is speaking very carefully- as anyone in his position would. You can't shame Rosarito into making lifeguarding important. It is very twisted that a town complaining about a lack of beach tourists cares so little for their health and safety once they arrive. You think that would be on the top of their list- not the very bottom.

The one guy they sent didn't become certified as a Master Trainer in one day with a plan to return to Rosarito and share everything he could learn in a day. That is insulting to people like MPilgrim who built their lifeguard skills over many years- not several hours.

Questions for MPilgrim: Did the one guy they send even know how to swim? How much training can the guy really absorb in a day? How long is the training program the other guards are all required to complete- one day? Did he show any interest in getting more training? Would you allow your family to swim here- from a lifeguard saftey perspective? Just curious.

mpilgrim - 7-8-2009 at 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Rosarito doesn't take beach safety seriously. You can't shmooze or spoil people into being a dedicated lifeguard- it comes from the heart. Hundreds of young people COMPETE for these positions stateside- not get appointed by a family friend- they earn their jobs.

MPilgrim is speaking very carefully- as anyone in his position would. You can't shame Rosarito into making lifeguarding important. It is very twisted that a town complaining about a lack of beach tourists cares so little for their health and safety once they arrive. You think that would be on the top of their list- not the very bottom.

The one guy they sent didn't become certified as a Master Trainer in one day with a plan to return to Rosarito and share everything he could learn in a day. That is insulting to people like MPilgrim who built their lifeguard skills over many years- not several hours.

Questions for MPilgrim: Did the one guy they send even know how to swim? How much training can the guy really absorb in a day? How long is the training program the other guards are all required to complete- one day? Did he show any interest in getting more training? Would you allow your family to swim here- from a lifeguard saftey perspective? Just curious.

He went through the full 7 day program. 10 hours per day. Completed every event and test.

Going to the beach in Baja is like going to the beach in any other part of the world. It is dangerous, people do drown. Lifeguards or not. Swimming at any beach is at your own risk.

If you look back into the history of lifeguarding, almost all agencies were volunteer, as most still are in Australia and New Zealand. Ensenada and Tijuana started out as an all volunteer service. With hard work and dedication, the Bombero's and the City could not refuse the incorporation of a Lifeguard Service into there Public Safety Departments. Hats off to those who worked hard to create such great services in those cities. It took years and countless volunteer hours, now, in Tijuana, it is a respectable position with many people still volunteering there time!

Unfortunately, Rosarito is behind the curve, and I'm sure there are a group of dedicated Lifeguards in Rosarito, but with out proper training and equipment it isn't safe for them to effect rescues. They are trying, and to say they aren't is wrong, becuase if they weren't, then there wouldn't be any lifeguards on that beach at all. So please, be supportive of those who are there, because if you make them feel unappreciated or unimportant, it will make it that much harder for there to be a dedicated service.

I met a few of them on the body recovery mission we did a while back near La Mision. Most of their equipment was donated, some of it from there Sister Cities here in the states.

So here is my offer, we want to come down and train those who are interested, but we need help with accomodations, gas, equipment, food. We have some contacts in that service and we will be contacting them in the near future.

For those of you who call Rosarito your home, who invite your families and friends down to enjoy the beach, ask yourself what can you do to help an unfortunate situation.

Please understand, we don't give to those with waiting hands, they have to work hard and earn our trust that they are commited to the cause.

Feel free to contact me at any time.

Thanks

Mike Pilgrim
Treasurer/Fundraising Coordinator
Imperial Beach Lifeguard Association
www.iblifeguards.org
mike@iblifeguards.org
(619) 316-0835

DianaT - 7-8-2009 at 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpilgrim

So here is my offer, we want to come down and train those who are interested, but we need help with accomodations, gas, equipment, food. We have some contacts in that service and we will be contacting them in the near future.

For those of you who call Rosarito your home, who invite your families and friends down to enjoy the beach, ask yourself what can you do to help an unfortunate situation.

Please understand, we don't give to those with waiting hands, they have to work hard and earn our trust that they are commited to the cause.

People in Bahia Asuncion jumped at this offer and I am sure when they get there, they will be treated as well as they are in Abreojos.

So Whoosh, if you know some of the lifeguards in Rosarito, why not talk with them and other people. Become a part of the program---it sure seems like nothing but a win-win situation.

Woooosh - 7-9-2009 at 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpilgrim

Quote:

BRAVO! Glad you are out there. Very glad one guy in Rosarito Beach is fully trained.

Next year I hope they send enough to man the beach and towers. How many trained lifeguards should a beach with 5000 tourists have? What is the correct staffing model (2 mile beach, five towers, seveal quads and waverunner- summer and winter)?

I should think Torres can provide ample accomodations at his empty hotel. I don't know if he has any control over the Bomberos- that may be TJ. The money problem is a problem. No one will donate money or equipment if the Bomberos won't promise to pass it down to the lifeguards. So far they intercept everything (according to the guards anyway).

Nice job- Nothing will happen this summer- but little by little.

mpilgrim - 7-9-2009 at 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

Quote:

Originally posted by mpilgrim

Quote:

There is no exact science to the staffing levels, but with 5 staffed towers and 2 trucks with two people in it,Rosarito could easily handle 5,000 people. Put the quads at the farthest most towers and one at the central tower. But its also a question of where those 5,000 people are, if they are spread out in large groups across the two mile stretch, they would require more staffing, if the are located in a smaller area of the two miles, they dont need as many guards.

But lets not put the cart before the horse, they need to be trained first.

We as the non-profit do not give money directly to the service. We give them the equipment, and we hand that directly to the lifeguards we train. It is up to them to take care of the equipment they are given. Since this is a start up,we would only give buoy and fins, but that may not be until after there second set of training sessions. This biggest thing is them showing us. We train and support, they show us they are taking the next step, weekly training schedules, working with red cross for medical training, we come back with more training and equipment.

We are the vehicle for people like you who want to take an interest and support our programs.

Since it seems like you have taken an interest in this venture, why not be our liason?

Thanks

Mike

mpilgrim - 7-9-2009 at 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter

Quote:

I'm really excited about working with the group in Bahia Asuncion. I'm glad we met at the shop!

Mike

Martyman - 7-10-2009 at 08:25 AM

Wow Woooosh
You complain more then my wife!

rts551 - 7-10-2009 at 08:48 AM

Sounds like time to "put up" mr woosh man.

DianaT - 7-10-2009 at 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpilgrim

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter

People in Bahia Asuncion jumped at this offer and I am sure when they get there, they will be treated as well as they are in Abreojos.

I'm really excited about working with the group in Bahia Asuncion. I'm glad we met at the shop!

Mike

It was a chance meeting, and we look forward to the really positive results. We hope the fall training in Abreojos goes well.

Diane and John

Woooosh - 7-10-2009 at 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Sounds like time to "put up" mr woosh man.

Put up what Senor Zonie? We have 5 donated towers sitting somewere in Rosarito with no legs- that's fine for this year because there is no one trained to staff them. It was cheaper to "donate" them to Mexico than to dispose of them stateside. That is a fact. There is one trained lifeguard in Rosarito. That is a fact. If he doesn't have fins and a buoy, let me know. Actually the ONLY guard I see on a quad that parks and watches the water, swimmers and surf has both already. I just didn't know he was all alone- and no one else did either until this thread.

Nomads can't be expected to take all of Mexico under their wings- but if each of us tries to make his own Baja location cleaner, better and safer- we have done our share.

[Edited on 7-10-2009 by Woooosh]

Dannyrose - 7-10-2009 at 02:28 PM

As of fathers day weekend the guard stations were in the parking lot at the beach in front of the library. Can't say for other parts of the beach but there is a life guard station at the waters edge that has a few guards on the weekends. they normally a jet ski as well as atv's. they seem to be professional. Here's a picture of the guard stations if I saved it correctly

life guard stations 2.jpg - 34kB

Woooosh - 7-10-2009 at 09:16 PM

Thanks for the pics. Interesting place to store and arrange them- the middle of a beach parking lot. Maybe they'll get their legs sooner than later- but that's like putting new wheels on a truck that has no engine. The guard training will come before the tourists return again. They have time. BTW- The police "look" professional in Mexico too- but it's all a grand illusion.

mpilgrim - 7-10-2009 at 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

Nomads can't be expected to take all of Mexico under their wings- but if each of us tries to make his own Baja location cleaner, better and safer- we have done our share.

Heres your opportunity. Are you interested in helping with the upcoming training?

I'd like to have a meet and greet with local community members such as yourself as well as the lifeguards in Rosarito.

I'm also going to try to work with Tijuana Lifeguards to see if they would be interested in working with the Rosarito guards. It would be a good experience for the Rosarito guards to see that it is possible to create and maintain a professional Lifeguard Service in Baja.

Thanks

Mike

Woooosh - 7-11-2009 at 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpilgrim

Quote:

u2u me!

DENNIS - 7-11-2009 at 07:29 PM

AWWWWRIGHT.....Sounds like Whooosh finally found a job. :tumble:

mpilgrim - 7-12-2009 at 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

Quote:

Originally posted by mpilgrim

Quote:

u2u me!

Sent!

mpilgrim - 7-15-2009 at 02:44 PM

Wooosh,

contact me via email, mike@iblifeguards.org or get back to me via u2u.

Thanks

Mike

Woooosh - 7-15-2009 at 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpilgrim
Wooosh,

contact me via email, mike@iblifeguards.org or get back to me via u2u.

Thanks

Mike

I'll check the U2U again.

Woooosh - 7-15-2009 at 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
AWWWWRIGHT.....Sounds like Whooosh finally found a job. :tumble:

LOL. Def a nephew item. He's out in the water every day and knows some of them. Who needs yet another non-paying job in this economy? :lol:

Geo_Skip - 7-16-2009 at 12:04 AM

WOW "woooosh" you complain more than my ex-wife's CAT! :lol:

k-rico - 7-16-2009 at 06:18 AM

Just read through this thread and noticed a recurring theme: people commenting on the minimal public services in Mexico, this time the lifeguard service in Rosarito, as compared to services in San Diego.

Perhaps expecting similar services when the property taxes in Mex are about 1/10th of an equally priced San Diego house (if you can find one) is unreasonable.

[Edited on 7-16-2009 by k-rico]

Woooosh - 7-16-2009 at 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Geo_Skip
WOW "woooosh" you complain more than my ex-wife's CAT! :lol:

i guess your baseless judgement of people is why you have an ex. and who marries a cat lady? geeesh

"only dead fish go with the flow" S Palin. and if I ever quote her again- shoot me

:saint:

[Edited on 7-16-2009 by Woooosh]

DianaT - 7-16-2009 at 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

S Palin. and if I ever quote her again- shoot me

:saint:

[Edited on 7-16-2009 by Woooosh]

---you should be ashamed. :lol:

I do hope you get involved with this organization. They are a good group and do a lot of good. Can't change everything and can't do it over night, but if just a few were trained, and it saved just one life, the effort would be worth it.

Diane

Woooosh - 7-16-2009 at 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

S Palin. and if I ever quote her again- shoot me

:saint:

[Edited on 7-16-2009 by Woooosh]

---you should be ashamed. :lol:

You are right and I fully support their efforts. Just not sure it's important to anyone in Rosarito but us gringos or they would have created a lifeguard system. Right now they are trying to keep their police force alive. You must work within the existing Fire Deparment to create any progress or change- the lifeguards are part of that division. That brings up another set of political challenges. Rosarito has been a tourism and spring break capital for decades with millions of swimmers- but not enough tourists drown to make it enough of a problem to do something.

I also think you need to go slower. Let them know the benefits and resources available to them now that they have accepted the towers. Let them say it's important to them. If you set up a system for them and they don't support and buy into- it won't be sustained and will just go away. You'd basically end up with a satellite IB lifeguard system- you'd do all the work and they would just watch and get the good press.

They need to have their macho egos schmoozed a bit too- no one here wants gringos telling them how to run things better. No good deed goes unpunished. Saving face here is more important than gringos who don't live here understand. People hate change and you can't go messing with the heirarchy without them being the ones who do it.

I simply think everyone needs to set basic realistic goals within the context of Rosaritos existing framework. The Mayor can appoint a liason. My advice to Pilgrim was to get a general plan in place, then go to Rosarito and just listen to their needs. If they don't have any needs they can communicate- they simply are not ready to support and sustain a lifeguard program themselves yet. It's not being critical, or negative it is being realistic. They may do it for good press alone and not follow through at all- programs have been used and tossed for propaganda before.

My nephew surfs here daily and does group presentations a lot- he'll be better at it than me (age, nationality) once we know what that role will be.

We can't foget the kids who die, including the family friend of mine who drowned here last year- which is what prompted my original reply. But we need to have a plan that works culturally as well as logistically. Money isn't the problem, it's committment. The beach is free, the water is free, they have the quads, they have the jetskis- what they need is comitted gards who are willing to be trained. Swim fins and buoys are cheap and the bestguard training in the USA is already free and available for all they send to attend.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/16/1n16junio...

"Allyssa was halfway through the eight-week program. Training was suspended yesterday but was to resume today. Payne said she did not believe the same boat drill would resume.

It was the first death in the 45-year history of the junior lifeguard program in Huntington Beach, a surfing mecca that bills itself as “Surf City USA.”

According to the city's Web site, the program teaches more than 1,000 junior lifeguards each year and has attracted students from across the nation and around the world. Payne said it is involved in an exchange program with New Zealand."

[Edited on 7-16-2009 by Woooosh]