The lifeguard stations at Westward Beach in Malibu are sporting a new look. Gone is the solid light blue paint for the structure, including porch and ramp. Now, each has unique, bright graphics with a matching trim color for railings and foundation pieces.
We don’t get the full affect in the photo at the left because the lifeguard had taken down the window guards that are also covered in the design. I don’t know if you can see it, but this particular station has written above the windows, “The Bachelor.” At first, I thought it might be a joke about the lifeguard, but of course, it is advertising. Gotta make a buck off of everything!
I found this out when I took a photo of the next station over, which was not open yet, so you could see all the graphics. The advertising on this was not for The Bachelor, but for Ford…definitely not as fun!
I know it jazzes things up to have decorated lifeguard structures, but I am rather nostalgic for the old blue ones. In some way, their sameness was comforting, like it was the job the lifeguards did that was important, and not the decorations.
Post and photos by Janna Orkney
Derek Ross // Jun 6, 2010 at 8:22 AM
I will try and take more pictures of lifeguard stations that I see today and forward them to you to post. I agree that the old blue and white stations offered a sense of nostalgic ambiance to longtime visitors, but the new look offers a fresh palate of love and passion that showcases why our beaches are so unique and special. I bet if you travel just a little bit more South, the oldie but goodie lifeguard stations are still floating around. We sure are lucky to have such a GREAT coastline!
eco-nerd // Jun 7, 2010 at 5:05 PM
This is not just a ‘new look’ for the lifeguard towers but something with a much deeper meaning. It is the ‘Summer of Color’ project by the non-profit group ‘Portraits of Hope’.
Each tower gets a $10,000 sponsor donor (hence the logos) and the panels are painted by 6000 children from poverty situations, or those with disabilities or illnesses. Some local charter schools also painted.
This is a wonderful foundation that uses art as creative therapy. Please visit their page on the lifeguard towers for some real feelgood photos. http://www.portraitsofhope.org/projects/lifeguardtowers/index.php
JANNENE DAVID // Jun 11, 2010 at 9:09 PM
Being a native of Santa Monica (1/2 block from Station 25) and also the daughter of a former lifeguard, I’m amazed and was/am very upset. Seeing that it was used as “creative therapy” softens the sorrow. But I wish the children from poverty situations, those with disabilities or illness and charter schools could have used the money from the sponser to better their lives in a more direct way…food, clothing, medicine, and school supplies. How often are these individuals able to visit their creations.
I also heard that the “creative” stations are from San Diego clear up to Santa Barbara. Might have gone over better if locals had been given some say in this major change. Who gave the approval?