HUNTINGTON BEACH FIRE JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM
OUR JUNIOR GUARD INSTRUCTORS
Eric McCoy
Marine Safety Division Chief
Years in Fire: 15 Years in Suppression, 10 years in Marine Safety
Education: M.S. Organizational Leadership
Hobbies: Surfing, Camping, spending time with Family
Who is your favorite instructor?: Ms. Bayer (Retired)
What are your goals in life?: Continue to serve the men and women of the HBFD and our community
If you were an animal what would you be?: Dolphin
Doug Leach
Battalion Chief
Years as a Lifeguard: 22
Education: BA Liberal Studies, CSULB
Hobbies: Spending time with the family and mountain biking.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Gordon Duff
What are your goals in life?: To make each day count!
If you were an animal what would you be?: Wolf
Sterling Foxcroft
Marine Safety Captain
Years as a Lifeguard: 13
Education: Bachelor Fine Arts
Hobbies: Surfing, Camping, Traveling
Who is your favorite instructor?: Sierra Page, Mr. Shanley
What are your goals in life?: More Barrels
If you were an animal what would you be?: Fox
Mike Eich
Program Coordinator
Years as a instructor: 50
Years as a Lifeguard: 50
Education: Art Teacher at Fountain Valley High School
Hobbies: Art and Swimming
Who is your favorite instructor?: Gem McAdams
What are your goals in life?: to get a dog
If you were an animal what would you be?: Salt Water Wolverine
Greg Luttrell
Co-Assistant Coordinator
Years as a instructor: 34
Years as a Lifeguard: 28
Education: Bachelors Degree- UCSB; Masters in Curriculum and Instruction- Concordia University- Irvine
Hobbies: Travelling. Spending time with my family. Swimming and SUP (stand-up paddling).
Who is your favorite instructor?: Kathy Utley (retired)
What are your goals in life?: To travel a lot more and experience the world.
If you were an animal what would you be?: Orca
Kyle Morita
Co-Assistant Coordinator
Years as a instructor: 27
Years as a Lifeguard: 33
Education: BA - UCSD, Masters - National University
Hobbies: Surfing, Snowboarding, Skiing, Soccer (watching now), Reading
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Duehring
What are your goals in life?:To take care of my family and give Lakey the best junior guard experience ever and to S T R E T C H.
If you were an animal what would you be?: Tiger Shark
Amy Peterson
Administrative Assistant
Years as building manager: 2
Education: Attending USC
Goals: To survive all the parent questions this summer!
Hobbies: I like to surf, eat burritos, and go to the beach with Miss. Page
If you were an animal what would you be?: Mermaid
Who is your favorite instructor?: Miss. Jaspers and Mrs. Dieterman
A Division
David Wagner
A Group Leader- Safety Aides Instructor
Years as a instructor: Way too Long
Years as a Lifeguard: A Century
Education: Life
Hobbies: Going to Central America and being a dad
Who is your favorite instructor?: Myself
What are your goals in life?: Scored 11 goals
If you were an animal what would you be?: a Pug
Samantha Dieterman
PIO - Captains Instructor
Years as a lifeguard: Since 1988
Years as an instructor: Since 1992
Education: Chapman University B.A. Communications, Public Relations, Cypress College, General Education
Goals: Raise my sons to do what they love and love what they do.
Hannah Gergen
A Instructor
Years as a instructor: 3
Years as a Lifeguard: 7
Education: Currently finishing up my bachelors degree in English Education
Hobbies: Spending time with my friends and family.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mrs. Dieterman
What are your goals in life?: Make it through college and see where I get taken after that!
If you were an animal what would you be?: I always thought ducks were kind of sick.
Chapin Page
A Instructor
Years as a instructor: 3
Years as a Lifeguard: 4
Education: Attending college
Hobbies: Hiking, surfing, and snowboarding
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Martin
What are your goals in life?: To live a fulfilling life
If you were an animal what would you be?: A Hawk
Riley Jolley
A/Sand Crabs Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 4
Education: Attending UCSD
Hobbies: I enjoy snowboarding in the winter, off-roading in the desert with friends and spending time at the beach bodysurfing.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mrs. Dieterman
What are your goals in life?: I plan on traveling after college and work on becoming a firefighter.
If you were an animal what would you be?: A Blue Tang named Dory
Kate Dixon
A/C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 2
Education: Just graduated from USC with a B.S. in Human Biology!
Hobbies: Surfing, road tripping, reading, making music
Who is your favorite instructor?: I actually went through LA County JG's, so all of the HB Instructors are my favorites so far :)
What are your goals in life?: Hopefully to go to med school and become an ER physician or trauma surgeon, but still finding work in the field for that first responder adrenaline rush
If you were an animal what would you be?: Definitely a quokka - the smiliest animal in Australia
Samuel Stepanian
A/C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 3
Years as a Lifeguard: 5
Education: Attending Cal State Long Beach In the fall
Hobbies: Driving swimming lifting etc. etc.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr.Coleman for not letting his height disadvantage keep him down in life metaphorically speaking.
What are your goals in life?: local domination to regional domination and finally global domination.
If you were an animal what would you be?: A chimpanzee as we are very genetically similar
Remy Bray
A/C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 10
Years as a Lifeguard: 12
Education: I have a Degree in Fire Science from Santa Ana College
Hobbies: I favorite hobbies are playing golf, playing board games with friends and destroying Mr. Miller and any and all competitions.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. West because he has a bionic arm that is super strong but he has to a long sleeve so it doesn’t short circuit from the cold.
What are your goals in life?: My Goal is to be hired as a firefighter paramedic for Huntington Beach
If you were an animal what would you be?: A Ocelot
B Division
Logan Miller
B Group Leader
Years as a instructor: It was my understanding that there would be no math.
Years as a Lifeguard: 1.1 Decades
Education: Trial and Error
Hobbies: Surfing, Bodysurfing, Running, Riding Motorcycles, Golf, Hiking, Chess, Reading, Tanning, Spelunking, Urban Exploration
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Shively
What are your goals in life?: To become the world's first certified Netflix Sommelier
If you were an animal what would you be?: Octopus
Sierra Page
B Group Leader
Years as a instructor: 5
Years as a Lifeguard: 8
Education: CSULB Business Marketing Degree
Hobbies: Surfing, Running, Hiking, Camping, HGTV, Drawing and going to the beach with Amy.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Error 404: Answer not found
What are your goals in life?: To move to Alaska and become a professional Baby Walrus Cuddler
If you were an animal what would you be?: Golden Retriever
Nathan Bradbury
B Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 2
Education: Graduated Edison High School
Hobbies: Surfing, pushing mongo, Road trips
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Ryder because I’m friends with his brother
What are your goals in life?: Graduate college and become a FireFighter
If you were an animal what would you be?: A gorilla
Maddie Camargo
B Instructor
Years as a instructor: 4
Years as a Lifeguard: 6
Education: Studying Marine Science at CSU Monterey Bay with a concentration in underwater research done on scuba
Hobbies: Surfing
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Wagner
What are your goals in life?: I would like to find myself on a research boat with a scuba research team.
If you were an animal what would you be?: A shark
Amelia Garrard
B Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 3
Education: Currently getting my Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at the University of Oregon
Hobbies: Exploring, hiking, music listening, vinyl collecting
Who is your favorite instructor?: Miss. Page
What are your goals in life?: To be kind, compassionate, and loving human being!
If you were an animal what would you be?: Sea Turtle
Devin Hughes
B Instructor
Years as a instructor: 3
Years as a Lifeguard: 5
Education: 3rd year at UCI
Hobbies: Radio DJ for my college
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Fullbright
What are your goals in life?: Peace and friendship!
If you were an animal what would you be?: House Cat
Caden Martin
B Instructor
Years as a instructor: 2
Years as a Lifeguard: 4
Education: Attending Orange Coast College
Hobbies: Camping, waterpolo, pottery, dirt biking, surfing with my friends.
Who is your favorite instructor?: 100% has to be Mr. Page
What are your goals in life?: To sail around the world on someone else's expense
If you were an animal what would you be?: Giant pacific octopus
Vincent Matos
B Instructor
Years as a instructor: 3
Years as a Lifeguard: 1
Education: University of Utah for business management and political science
Hobbies: Backpacking, skiing, bodysurfing, and cooking
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mrs. Utley
What are your goals in life?: To become a firefighter/paramedic for Huntington Beach Fire
If you were an animal what would you be?:
Hudson Taylor
B Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 3
Education: Cal State Long Beach
Hobbies: Off-Roading, Skiing, Surfing, Hiking, Photography
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Wagner
What are your goals in life?: Discover something new
If you were an animal what would you be?: Sea Dragon
Saxon Varon
B/C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 3
Education: Currently working on my bachelor of science at the university of oregon with a major in business and a minor in psychology
Hobbies: Bodysurfing and surfing
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. McGowan
What are your goals in life?: My goal in life is to be able to succeed in my career whatever I may end up doing while also being able to help others around me and giving back to the community I am apart of
If you were an animal what would you be?: Dolphin
Dustin Voorhees
B Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 3
Education: Cal state San Marcos
Hobbies: Surfing and fishing
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Seaberry
What are your goals in life?: To travel the world
If you were an animal what would you be?: Bald Eagle
C Division
Ryan Camps
C Group Leader
Years as a instructor: 10
Years as a Lifeguard: 14
Education: BA History
Hobbies: Running, skiing, watching sports
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Bush
What are your goals in life?:Continue to teach and coach students, while traveling and being an athlete.
If you were an animal what would you be?: Blue Whale
Sean Richards
C Group Leader
Years as a instructor: 6
Years as a Lifeguard: 14
Education: Post Graduate
Hobbies: Soccer, Surfing, Snowboarding, and Golf. I need some less expensive hobbies.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Ms. Jaspers... TRUST FALL!
What are your goals in life?: Keep Learning, continue to practice self care, and promote mindfulness
If you were an animal what would you be?: Dolphin, Have you seen them body surf? Not to mention echo location!
Kristin Adams
C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 2
Years as a Lifeguard: 4
Education: CU Boulder
Hobbies: When I'm not skiing Breckenridge, I'm probably laying out on the deck of one of my boyfriend's boats in Bermuda. I love to keep things simple.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mrs. Zellmer
What are your goals in life?: Attend Law School in the UK and then split my time between the Caribbean and Colorado.
If you were an animal what would you be?: A Standard Poodle
Jacob Bailey
C/ Sand Crab Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 3
Education: Edison High School graduate and will be attending Biola in the fall
Hobbies: swimming, bodysurfing, cooking, weightlifting
Who is your favorite instructor?: Miss. Jaspers
What are your goals in life?: Use my degree in Sports Medicine to help athletes recover from injuries and be supportive of others around me
If you were an animal what would you be?: Salt Water Wolverine
Keegan Coleman
C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 3
Years as a Lifeguard: 5
Education: Graduating with a philosophy, politics, economics BA from Pitzer College this fall
Hobbies: Having boardgame game nights with the other instructors.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Camps, for inspiring me to become an even more elite athlete than he is.
What are your goals in life?: To get a late growth-spurt and become taller than Mr. Stepanian.
If you were an animal what would you be?: A sea otter
Rachel Drapp
C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 2
Education: Attending College
Hobbies: Being with friends and family
Who is your favorite instructor?: Not Sure
What are your goals in life?: To make a positive impact
If you were an animal what would you be?: Sea Turtle
Dylan Honrath
C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 3
Years as a Lifeguard: 1
Education: Finished my sophomore year at Golden West
Hobbies: Backpacking, Surfing, Traveling, and Snowboarding
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Camps
What are your goals in life?: To enjoy life and become comfortably successful
If you were an animal what would you be?: a Horse
Ella Jensen
C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 2
Education: Edison High School
Hobbies: Swimming, Water Polo, Driving my dad's truck, Being aloof.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mrs. Dieterman
What are your goals in life?: To get my own Tacoma TRD Pro
If you were an animal what would you be?: A Burmese Mountain Dog
Nicky Lagana
C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 2
Years as a Lifeguard: 4
Education: Studying Mechanical Engineering at California Baptist University
Hobbies: I like to wander the Earth with friends, watch movies, and work on the SAE team formula one race car.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mrs. Dieterman
What are your goals in life?:To be the next Dread Pirate Roberts.
If you were an animal what would you be?: Dolphin
Finn Ryder
C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 2
Years as a Lifeguard: 3
Education: Currently majoring in Finance at Point Loma Nazarene University
Hobbies: Surfing, guitar, hiking, going to the beach
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Brehm
What are your goals in life?: To grow a better mustache than Mr. West
If you were an animal what would you be?: Sea Turtle
Ben Seaberry
C/Sandcrab Instructor
Years as a instructor: 2
Years as a Lifeguard: 4
Education: Attending Cal Poly Slo
Hobbies: Hanging out with Mr. West
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. West
What are your goals in life?: To be able to Hangout with Mr. West
If you were an animal what would you be?: A Poodle
Jeff West
C/ Sandcrab Instructor
Years as a instructor: 6
Years as a Lifeguard: 4
Education: Attending Cuesta college
Hobbies: Surfing, skateboarding, playing music
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Brehm
What are your goals in life?: Do as many cool things as possible
If you were an animal what would you be?: Air Bud
SandCrab Division
Tony Morelli
Sand Crab Group Leader
Years as a instructor: Enough to be the best
Years as a Lifeguard: 10
Education: BA in Communications and a certified BA in life
Hobbies: Needle point, Scrapbooking, Antiquing on the weekends with my girlfriend, and surfing every once in a while
Who is your favorite instructor?: Myself
What are your goals in life?: To own and operate my own yoga/artist retreat in the desert near Joshua Tree.
If you were an animal what would you be?: A Galapagos Giant Tortoise
Taylor Bartlett
Sand Crab / C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 3
Years as a Lifeguard: 4
Education: Milligan University
Hobbies: going to concerts, swimming, hiking, spending time with friends
Who is your favorite instructor?: Ms. Page
What are your goals in life?: To become a travel nurse and own multiple houses
If you were an animal what would you be?: Sea Otter
Riley Boehm
Sand Crab/C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 2
Education: Always reaching higher!
Hobbies: Anything ocean related, traveling, camping, spin, snowboarding, and having fun!
Who is your favorite instructor?: All the instructors I've had (Plus Miss. Page)
What are your goals in life?: To travel more, radiate positivity wherever I go, and to love my job enough that it will never feel like I am working!
If you were an animal what would you be?: 100% a Golden Doodle
Dane Howell
Sand Crab/C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 1
Years as a Lifeguard: 3
Education: Attending Orange Coast College
Hobbies: Water Polo, surfing, going on adventures, getting carried by my team in rec league basketball, going to the gym
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Page
What are your goals in life?: To get more barrels than Mr. Page. To throw an air over Mr. Martin. To win a national washers tournament with Ms. Jaspers. To beat Mr. Miller in Dodgeball and/or (preferably “and”) Bocce Ball.
If you were an animal what would you be?: I would be a wolf because of my “Howell”.
Josh Terry
Sand Crab/ C Instructor
Years as a instructor: 2
Years as a Lifeguard: 4
Education: Attending UCLA for a BA in political science
Hobbies: Surfing, camping, hiking, golf, fishing.
Who is your favorite instructor?: Mr. Eich
What are your goals in life?: To create meaning and find and fulfill my telos
If you were an animal what would you be?: A Chimp