Auction, naming ceremony honor late Newport lifeguard Ben Carlson

Surfwear brand Hurley presented an auction of surf-related photos Saturday evening at its Costa Mesa headquarters to help raise money for the Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation’s effort to place a bronze statue of the late Newport Beach lifeguard at the Newport Pier.

The auction included pictures of the July memorial paddle-out for Carlson and shots of Newport’s beach scene.

The show was part of Raise Up for Ben, a two-month fundraising effort that the foundation website said Monday had raised $12,670 since Jan. 30 toward its $125,000 goal.

Carlson was the first lifeguard in the Newport Beach department’s 100-year history to die in the line of duty.

The 15-year veteran was manning a rescue boat July 6 when he responded to a report of a swimmer struggling in a 6- to 8-foot swell. A large wave sent the pair underwater.

Rescue crews found Carlson’s body near the Newport Pier three hours later. The swimmer made it back to shore.

Lifeguard HQ to be renamed for Carlson

At noon Sunday, Newport Beach lifeguards and community members will gather at the city lifeguard headquarters for a ceremony renaming the building in honor of Carlson.

The facility, at the Newport Pier, will be named the Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters.

The headquarters recently underwent a $1.4 million renovation, including a new lobby, a centralized computer and communications room, upgraded storage facilities and new staff restrooms, showers and lockers.

A public tour of the facility will be offered after the ceremony.

—Rob Vardon and Hannah Fry