Always swim near a lifeguard.
People who have attended La Jolla community meetings or events where San Diego Marine Safety Lt. Lonnie Stephens has spoken may find those words familiar.
Ahead of his Nov. 1 retirement, the La Jolla Town Council helped bid farewell to Stephens, whose supervision covers La Jolla, during the council’s Oct. 10 meeting to salute his 37-year career.
Stephens was honored with cake, commendations and multiple standing ovations during the meeting, where he was joined by San Diego Lifeguard Chief James Gartland and Fire Chief Robert Logan.
Stephens, who joined the lifeguard service at age 17 in 1987, joked that in the beginning he had “no idea what he was doing,” but he stuck with it for 12 years before taking a sabbatical. He came back in 2005 and called the time since “an incredible journey.”
The San Diego native said he spent a lot of his youth in recreation centers and surfing at local beaches. “That kept me off the street,” he said.
“This [life] didn’t happen just by my doing,” he added. “There were a lot of mentors and a loving mom and a dad who tried his best but had his struggles.”
Stephens served on rescue teams, regular patrol at La Jolla beaches and as a mentor to younger lifeguards. Ultimately, he rose through the ranks as the first Black sergeant and first marine safety lieutenant in the lifeguard division.
Each day, Stephens said, “you find this gratitude … and you realize all you have is today. So I learned something about loving this job and digging in and giving it my all.”
Gartland said he was “so excited to be here to celebrate Lonnie” and that he “could go on for eight hours about Lonnie.”
“I don’t have to worry about La Jolla … [under Stephens’ supervision],” Gartland said. “It’s such a technical place here with … the cliffs, the reefs, the big water, the sea lions, you name it. … [Stephens] spins all those plates with grace and style and empathy. … There is no replacing him.”
“He is a great friend,” Gartland added. “I worked for Lonnie for a while and one of my proudest moments was promoting Lonnie to marine safety lieutenant.”
Stephens is a “trailblazer” with “a heart of gold and as honest as it gets,” Gartland said. “I look at him and lean on him because he spearheaded our mental health focus … and has done an incredible job.
“This guy’s DNA is a true waterman and true lifeguard.”
Stephens was given commendations from city officials thanking him for his service, as well as a piece of the Windansea surf shack.
Stephens’ replacement has not yet been announced. ♦