A family of three brothers and three cousins patrol the beaches of Malibu as lifeguards, a tradition that spans 36 years in age, and coincidentally 36 years in service.
For nearly four decades the summer filled beaches of Malibu may have experienced only one constant–Team Heinrich.
There exists among the lifeguard world an inner circle consisting of one family, six members strong and counting. Year in and year out this family has been there to watch over Malibu beaches.
At age 56, Ed Heinrich has been patrolling the sand and waves of Zuma, Malibu and Corral beaches for 36 years. This in itself is an impressive tale. Remarkably however, he is only one of six Heinrich men that are L.A. County lifeguards. The Heinrich fraternity spans three brothers and three cousins ranging in age from 19 to 56 years old.
Ed started the tradition in 1965, followed not long after by his younger brother, Jerry, and thereafter the youngest of the first-generation Heinrich lifeguards, Dick. While these three brothers would all love to be on the beach year-round, their lives have each taken their own direction with one exception–they all return every year to patrol the summer beaches of Southern California.
Shortly after finishing his time with the U. S. Air Force, Ed was hired by Western (now Delta) Airlines in 1976, where he has remained since. Capt. Heinrich chooses Utah to be his base because of his voracious appetite for the outdoor lifestyle that he and wife, Terry, have always loved.
It was during one of his beloved outdoor pursuits that Ed nearly lost his life. In a horrific accident on the waters of Lake Powell last summer, Ed was hit by a water-skiing boat and caught in the prop, which nearly took off his entire left leg.
Enduring several surgeries that successfully saved both his life and leg, and after months of grueling rehabilitation, Ed has made a near full recovery and was back this year ready to attend to his lifeguarding duties. He just ended his most recent visit on Aug. 3, where he watched over Malibu beaches for two days.
Jerry Heinrich overlooks Deccofelt Corporation as CEO of the company, located in Glendora. At age 51, Jerry still returns each year as a part-time lifeguard to work the beaches of Malibu on the weekends, as time permits.
One morning approximately 25 years ago, around 8 a.m., a bus carrying 30 or more teenagers pulled up and parked behind Tower 6. At that time there were only two lifeguards on duty; however, many guards spent the nights in their campers or vans, parked next to headquarters (“the village”). These 30 teens went straight into the water and into a giant riptide at high surf. The sleeping guards woke to “Blitz off Tower 6” through the P.A. system. About a dozen lifeguards scrambled out of their threw rescue cans down from the upstairs lookout. Every victim was rescued safely that morning, and team Heinrich was there to help.
Dick Heinrich, at age 49, makes his home in Jackson, Calif., where he and his wife both work as teachers. Dick returns each year to the “village” at Zuma beach, living in his camper right next to headquarters and working full-time hours. Guarding the beaches by day and camping out by night–life could be worse. In 1999 Dick received the Lifeguard of the Year Award, a prestigious honor that typically goes to a year-round, full-time guard.
Ed’s son Brad is the first of the second generation to call themselves lifeguards. Brad is 32 years old and works full-time as a pilot, recently moving from Continental to Delta Airlines. Brad makes his way to California whenever he can and works as a part-time lifeguard throughout the year.
Jerry’s 21-year-old son, Chris, is the fifth in the line of lifeguards. Chris is currently going to school at Ventura City College and working full-time on the beaches of Malibu as well.
Our last in line of current Team Heinrich members is Kyle. Kyle is Dick’s son and is 19 years old. He is currently going to school at Long Beach State, as well as working full-time as a lifeguard.
The next Heinrich in training is still some three years from trying his hand at lifeguarding in Malibu. In 11 years, Ed’s grandson, Nicholas, will reach the age of eligibility, and the third generation of Heinrichs will be ready to take to the beach.
The next time you are out on one of the beaches of Malibu, look around. There is a good chance one of the men in red, watching the water, is a member of Team Heinrich.