Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Foundation DBA Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Foundation

THE CALIFORNIA GOLD 2020 IS CANCELLED
No official or unofficial event will be run until 2021.

Please join us in continuing our fundraising efforts by donating to support the Ben Carlson Foundation.

ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE BEN CARLSON FOUNDATION AND  WILL BE SPECIFICALLY SPENT ON WATER SAFETY AND DROWNING PREVENTION!

The California Gold: In Memory of Ben Carlson...

Ben Carlson was a Newport Beach Lifeguard hero who passed away on July 6, 2014 while saving the life of another in the line of duty while navigating the treacherous and massive surf off the shores of Newport Beach. The Ben Carlson Foundation was set up in his honor to memorialize him for all time by building a statue, annually awarding multiple $10,000 scholarships to eligible students and lifeguards, and promoting water safety and drowning prevention. The Foundation also continues to educate today's youth on the dangers of the ocean through their global outreach lifeguard program and water safety summits. 

What is the #calgoldiron?  

Is a Lifeguard Iron man event based off of its Australian counter-part, the 29 mile Coolangatta Gold. The event consists of 5 legs (12 mile Surf ski, 6 mile run, 6 mile Paddle board, 2 mile Swim, 2 mile Run), with all paddle/swim legs going downwind. The purpose of the event is to bring awareness of drowning, raise money toward water safety efforts through the Ben Carlson Foundation, and embrace the athleticism, work ethic, and heroic spirit that Ben embodied.

This year, 30 elite lifeguard athletes from 7 countries were invited to participate. Their goal was to raise $12,000 ($400 per athlete) for the Ben Carlson Foundation to go towards drowning prevention programs.

Last year the foundation used the funds raised from this event to:
- Send lifeguard equipment to some clubs in need in South Africa
- Help put on a drowning prevention summit which brought researchers, hospital workers & first responders together to promote drowning prevention programs
- Create resources to educate youth in water and beach safety 

Thank you for any and all help, spreading of word and donations!

Follow the Event’s Official Instagram page at @californiagold_iron  #calgoldiron
Website: thecaliforniagold.com

More information about the Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship can be found at www.bencarlsonfoundation.org