Lifeguards who saved July 4 pier jumper in Venice Beach earn Medal of Valor

The frantic woman was clutching onto a small nylon rope attached to the pier piling, clinging on for her life.

The sun had gone down and fireworks lit the night’s sky, the colorful bursts reflecting off the dark ocean. Thousands of people watched the display above the Venice Pier from the sand, unaware of the dire situation unfolding in the saltwater sea, where a building south swell was creating hazardous conditions as big waves roared toward shore.

Alerted by people on the pier who saw the woman jump into the ocean, Los Angeles County Fire Department Ocean Lifeguards Max Malamed and Ryan Aronson jumped into action to rescue the pier jumper on July 4, 2023 – a heroic save that earned the duo this year’s Medal of Valor award at a ceremony to take place on July 31 at King Harbor Yacht Club.

The 2024 International Surf Festival “Lifeguard Medal of Valor” dinner will also give the   “Distinguished Service Award” to Paramedic Rescue Boat Captain Brian Kari and Paramedic  Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Sean Kennedy, along with the Avalon City Fire Department, for a call on Dec. 18, 2023 on Catalina Island to help a young female giving birth.

Also being honored is retired Captain Jim “Jake” Jacobson, who will be given the “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Jacobson began his career in 1971 and retired in 2008 after 37 years of service.

“Known as a “lifeguard’s lifeguard” Captain Jacobson worked on every beach within Los Angeles County, from Malibu to San Pedro and is known as one of the most inspirational lifeguard mentors in the Department,” reads an announcement.

The awards started in 1981 as a way to recognize “that the public recognizes and appreciates the tremendous efforts they undertake,” according to organizers.

The Medal of Valor recipients will receive a bronze medal featuring a running lifeguard carrying a rescue buoy.

“We are delighted to recognize these exceptional acts of courage and public service, combined with professionalism and quick-thinking,” said Chris Linkletter, president of the International Surf Festival, in the announcement. “Our event proudly celebrates these L.A. County Ocean Lifeguards who embody going above and beyond the call of duty.”

For Malamed and Aronson, the distress call for the fully-clothed woman who jumped off the pier came just as they were ready to get off duty. After the people on the pier pointed out her location, they jumped into action – literally.

“With eyes on the victim, the duo performed an extremely difficult night pier jump into large surf to rescue a fully clothed adult woman who was grasping a tiny piece of nylon rope attached to a pier piling and apparently experiencing a psychiatric emergency,” reads a description of the rescue.

“Upon jumping off the pier, I swam to the victim and noticed that she was clinging onto the rope very tightly, which she refused to let go of,” recalled Aronson. “And she was not responsive verbally to me. I had no idea of her psychological state.”

The duo convinced her to let go of the rope and grab onto the rescue buoy, said Malamed, just as a set of two-to three-wave set slammed on top of them inside of the pilings.

“We got the victim away from the pier, swam her up the coast and when the sets had passed, we were able to get out of the water where ALS resources were on scene waiting,” Aronson said.

While pier rescues are not uncommon, the nighttime conditions and few resources available because of the late time, as well as the crowds and fireworks, made the scene “extremely chaotic,”  Malamed said.

“Despite the hazardous, complicated, and arduous aspect of the rescue, the trio made it safely to shore,” the announcement reads.

The emergency call on Catalina Island on Dec. 18 came following a young woman giving birth.

“Upon arrival, the baby was cold, dark blue and still attached to the umbilical cord,” the announcement reads. “After assertive and successful treatment by Kari, Kennedy, and members of the Avalon City Fire Department, both the baby and mother were stabilized enough to transport.”

The mother and child were transported by two ALS helicopters from Air Mercy and L.A. County Fire Department to a mainland NICU.

The theme of this year’s event is “Celebration of the L.A. County Junior Lifeguard Program,” which for nearly 100 years every summer has offered as many as 3,000 kids from across the region education and training in ocean and beach safety, physical conditioning, basic first-aid, CPR, and environmental awareness, while developing the next generation of lifeguards and leaders.

The “Lifeguard Medal of Valor Awards” dinner is presented in conjunction with the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce and is the kick off to the International Surf Festival, which hosts several athletic events throughout the South Bay through the weekend, from swims and relays to paddleboard and surf contests, volleyball and more.

“The chamber is honored to recognize these heroic and inspirational individuals, and to have supported the ‘Lifeguard Medal of Valor’ dinner for the past 43 years,” said Dominik Knoll, CEO and president of the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce, in the announcement. “It is always our pleasure to shine a deserving spotlight on the dedicated professionals who protect our beachgoers.”