> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # A history of a coastal institution, a history of a city on the edge - URL: https://www.smdp.com/a-history-of-a-coastal-institution-a-history-of-a-city-on-the-edge/ - Published: 2005-07-21T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T07:30:24.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Environment, Santa Monica, #archive-import *Riding the tides of change* *By SARA MILSTEIN Special to the Daily Press* The face of Santa Monica’s beach has changed dramatically from how it appeared in the beginning of the 20th century, but one feature has remained a constant — the Los Angeles County Lifeguards. A new book by 32-year lifeguard veteran Arthur C. Verge chronicles the development of Santa Monica’s beach culture, as well as the lifeguards who advanced it. More than 220 vintage photographs, commentary and personal accounts comprise Verge’s “Los Angeles County Lifeguards”, a vivid visual and written history of those who man the beaches. Distributed by Arcadia Publishing, the book explores the connection between the lifeguarding profession and the profound success of Westside beach communities. “In the early 1900s and 1920s, nobody went in the water because they were afraid of drowning,” said Verge. “Lifeguards changed all that. Property near the beach became desirable.” Property values along the beaches soon exploded once the waters were deemed safe by wary swimmers, according to Verge’s research. Beach communities also became a hotbed of local activity, and Verge suggests that the LA lifeguards had a considerable influence on Southern California’s culture. “The beach was home to a lot of Hollywood’s stars,” Verge told the Daily Press. “You could meet all kinds of people at the beaches, and the lifeguards became really friendly with them all because they were down there every day.” Much of Verge’s interest in Santa Monica’s beaches and lifeguard culture stems from his own personal history. Verge represents the fourth generation of his family who are residents of Santa Monica, and the second generation of lifeguards, following in the footsteps of his father, Arthur Verge Sr. Verge has many fond childhood beach memories of hanging out with such surfing greats as Preston “Pete” Peterson and Mike Doyle, and sharing an afternoon with such political giants as Earl Warren, who would become governor of California in 1942 and then Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1953. Over the past 20 years, Verge has expanded his collection of rare photographs. From his connections in the lifeguarding community, Verge has had access to the individuals who could provide him with first-hand accounts and personal snapshots. He scoured microfilm archives at the Santa Monica Public Library, finding the material that would take him six months to organize and finalize. The result of his extensive research is a 128-page historical tome detailing what Verge describes as the rich and fascinating past of the LA County Lifeguards. “Los Angeles County Lifeguards” also touches on one of lifeguarding’s most famous trademarks — the “Baywatch” television show, which was filmed at Will Rogers State Beach. The NBC show premiered in 1989 and ran until 2001, but few know that TV personalities portrayed by David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson had real-life counterparts. Well, sort of. “The book will make people more aware about what we’re about,” Verge said. “People just reduce it to ‘Baywatch’, but perception is reality, and this book is more along the real lines.” Verge emphasized that the real lifeguard crew are not all tanned, oiled and complimented by red swimming trunks. What is real, however, is the diversity and bravery among them, he said. The current crew includes doctors, film and movie producers, and numerous other professionals. For some, lifeguarding is a part-time job, but for many, lifeguarding remains a full-time passion. Verge believes that his inspiration for writing his books has come from living the life of an “average lifeguard.” However, the stories that lifeguards have to tell are in no way average. Since 1974, Verge has devoted his life toward protecting the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice, as well as its visitors. He admits that in his three decades of dedication, he has seen a change. It used to be that beaches were local hangout spots where one could see friendly, sometimes famous faces. Verge believes that, with the advent and popularization of cars, the beaches have become more accessible to outlying communities. Verge and his team of lifeguards no longer know a local beach crowd, and celebrities instead look to the more empty beaches of Malibu and beyond. Still, Verge sees the positive. “One thing that has stayed the same is the big crowds that come down in the summer and on weekends,” he said. “The waves are still the same, and the job is still the same. “It’s still the best job in the world.” When he’s not surveying the beach-scape or riding the waves at Santa Monica or Venice beaches, Verge wins “Distinguished Professor” awards at El Camino College in Torrance, where he teaches history. Verge also is busy writing his third book, in progress for the last five or six years. The book will be a memoir-account of his own childhood experience growing up in Santa Monica, surfing and beach-going with some of the most famous faces of the day. Verge also plans to delve into his experiences responding to some of the unhappy tragedies that Santa Monica’s waters have seen, including murders and plane crashes. Verge considers every day a triumph, despite the inherent difficulties of his work. “It isn’t a job, it’s a way of life,” Verge noted wistfully about his devotion to being a lifeguard. “Not only is it involved in protecting and saving lives, but there’s also something magical about going surfing in the ocean before work.” “Los Angeles County Lifeguards,” is available at area bookstores, independent retailers, on-line bookstores or directly through Arcadia Publishing. Verge will be signing his book at 7 p.m. this evening at Duttons Bookstore (11975 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/072105-05_01.jpg) of Arthur Verge Decades ago, lifeguards spent most of their time in the water atop paddle boards. (Photo: Photo courtesy) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 21, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/072105.pdf?ref=smdp.com)