Dory Boat No. 56

For over 10 years the San Clemente city lifeguards had not competed in any surf boat rowing races. With grand hopes of competing again, they acquired one of their previous dory boats back from one of the veteran rowers who had been caring for it. Then just weeks before the competition in June 2011, the dory boat was vandalized and left in the shorebreak surf only to be beaten in half and covered in sand by the waves. It was history.

Coastal lifeguards are a close-knit community of veterans and active lifeguards who take great pride in their competitive skills with these dory boats as rowers in heavy surf. San Clemente city lifeguards are no exception. With no money for a replacement dory boat, one was found and donations were sought for buying it. A second, 1980's era, surf boat was donated to them by the National Doryman's Association. The lifeguards spent hours of their own time restoring the boat for competition at the San Clemente Ocean Festival held annually in July. This is that boat. While even today still needing a complete restoration, it is competition worthy. Originally built by the Schock Boat Company in Newport Beach, it is shown here secured to the Marine Safety Headquarters building at the San Clemente State beach at sunset. The boat still shows reminders of its past life even through the new coat of epoxy paint with its new number - 56. In its past life, this dory boat was used for many years by the Bolsa Chica State Beach lifeguards until it outlived its usefulness for their competition. The new 'old' dory boat No. 56 has earned its second life in San Clemente. 

Old dory boats never really die, they just fade into the sunset . . . especially in San Clemente, California.

Walking along the North Beach trail in San Clemente on a summer Sunday evening in 2013 provided the chance to take this photo with a Nikon S8200, set at 1/1600, f/3.3, auto flash, ISO 100.