After 34 years of serving the community, senior ocean lifeguard Lorry Haddock retired July 26. He spent more than three decades keeping beachgoers safe at the Zuma Beach Lifeguard Headquarters in Malibu.
Haddock was a second-generation lifeguard. His father, Richard Haddock, former captain ocean lifeguard at Zuma Beach Headquarters, began lifeguarding in 1948 and served the community for 37 years. The pair worked side by side for many years at Zuma.
Haddock grew up in Malibu and lived in the county housing on Zuma beach. His love of the ocean began at a young age when he started surfing. Between the ages of eight and 18, Haddock participated in Junior Lifeguards and swam competitively during high school.
At 18, Haddock followed in his father’s footsteps and became a lifeguard. In addition to working in Malibu, he lifeguarded at Santa Monica and South Bay beaches and competed in many lifeguard competitions.
Haddock was presented with the Medal of Valor from the Los Angeles County Fire Department after a heroic emergency rescue. He and his partner, John Renaud, saved a man who had been blown three miles out to sea in his kayak by heavy offshore winds.
On July 26, Haddock’s wife, Veronique, and captain ocean lifeguard Simon Snyder threw a surprise retirement party for Haddock.
“Lifeguarding is in my blood and I’ve loved being an ocean lifeguard. Not too many people can say that they really love their jobs, but I can,” Haddock said.