Legendary Newport Lifeguard Dies

Al Irwin, a former Newport Beach lifeguard who was also a legendary coach and trainer, has died at the age of 96, it was announced today.

Irwin, who died on Monday, started his lifeguarding career in 1932 when he was 15.

He began his career when he was near the Newport Pier with a group of lifeguards and friends when a ocean rescue call came in. He commandeered and rowed a dory toward the Santa Ana River jetty where five young girls were caught in a rip current.

Irwin entered the U.S. Navy in 1941 and after the war worked as a dedicated training instructor until the early 1980s.

He created a scholarship for seasonal lifeguards and since 2009, the Al Irwin Scholarship was awarded annually to a seasonal ocean lifeguard. Irwin presented the award.

Irwin graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1937 and was its first four-year, five-sport letterman. He coached football and swimming at Orange Coast College and swimming and water polo at UC Irvine, retiring in 1978 as assistant athletic director.

Irwin is survived by his daughter Marcia, son-in-law Dave, grandchildren Casey and Carrie and several great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held in January.