The San Clemente Exchange Club gathered at the San Clemente Community Center this past week to honor one of the city’s own, celebrating lifeguard Zachary Roeber as the 2025 Lifeguard of the Year. The luncheon, held in partnership with the Lifeguard Foundation, Rainbow Sandals Foundation, Conrad Realtors and Stewart Surfboards, brought together community leaders, former lifeguards, family members and friends to recognize Roeber’s dedication to public safety.
Chief of Lifeguard Services Rod Mellot welcomed the crowd and shared the weight of the job.
“Contrary to images you’ve seen on Bay-watch, life-saving is not all fun in the sun,” Mellot said. “It’s demanding and stressful, with responsibility for thousands of lives in the ocean.”
Mellot noted that this summer alone, San Clemente lifeguards performed more than 1,100 rescues and treated over 1,000 patients, while also making 14,000 law enforcement contacts and nearly 34,000 public education interactions.
When introducing Roeber, Mellot shared how he rose to the challenge during his rookie year in 2020, when the beach reopened on July 4 with 6- to 8-foot surf after months of COVID-19 restrictions.
“That day, we had 130 rescues, and Zach shined through those moments,” Mellot re-called. “He’s grown into an incredible young man that has saved hundreds of lives. If I could clone Zach, I would.”
Born and raised in San Clemente, Roe-ber began in the Junior Lifeguard program in 2013 and worked his way up through six summers of training before joining the staff in 2020. A graduate of San Clemente High, he is now a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo studying mechanical engineering, with aspirations of joining the fire service like his father, Battalion Chief Scott Roeber of Ontario Fire.
Over six seasons, Roeber has logged 569 rescues, 10,629 preventions, 4,000 law enforcement contacts, 170 patients treated and 3,529 public education contacts. Mellot said Roeber’s impact reaches far beyond the sta-tistics, describing him as “quietly professional and precise.”
Mayor Steve Knoblock also addressed the audience, presenting Roeber with the Mayor’s Challenge Coin.
“When I look at young men like you, I think there’s hope for our country,” Knoblock said.
“You’ve chosen to put yourself above others, to serve, and to risk your life for the safety of others, just like our police officers and firefighters do every day. We’re proud of you.” Steve Conrad of Conrad Realtors presented the Dick Hazard Award, named after the charter Exchange Club member and San Clemente’s first seasonal lifeguard chief in the 1950S.”It’s my pleasure to present this award on behalf of the Exchange Club, Rainbow Sandals and Conrad Realtors,” Conrad said. “Dick Hazard set up a great department that continues to this day, and Zach embodies those same qualities.”
When Roeber stepped to the microphone, he turned the spotlight back to his peers.
“It really means a lot coming from the great team that we have at Station 56,” he said. “Ev-ery single role is crucial, and it’s all part of the puzzle that makes Marine Safety work. Public safety doesn’t just happen – it’s the result of continuous training, collaboration and fine-tuning our skills. This award isn’t a final victory; it’s a reminder that lifeguards will always be needed, and we’ll always be ready to respond. Lifeguards for life.”
The celebration concluded with additional presentations, including a commemorative painting by local artist Maggie McKay, who took over the annual tradition from Kelan O’Brien, and a custom-painted surfboard gifted by Stewart Surfboards.
“Hearing about how much you contribute reminds me of the key people in our own business who make everything work,” said Erik Leines of Stewart Surfboards. “Congrat-ulations – and don’t just hang it up; make sure you wax it up and ride it at least once.” San Clemente Exchange Club President Don Echelberger closed the ceremony by thanking the sponsors, lifeguard staff and community partners. “This means a lot to us,” he said. “The Exchange Club doesn’t do this every year, but when we do, we make sure it’s special.”
Story by Angélica Escobar, SC Times