Since its formation in 2011, the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association has devised a number of inventive fundraisers to compensate for city budget shortfalls, enabling the purchase of critical life-saving equipment. To aid them in that effort, Donna Roberts Mitchell and Sally Dillon of Idea Garden Advertising teamed up with Lee Olsen, manager of Waldo’s at the Driftwood Resort, to host a first for Vero – a Barefoot Beach Ball.
“The whole idea was just to have some fun on the beach and raise some money for the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association. Just the little they’ve raised so far has saved lives. They’re doing the best they can, and they need some help,” said Mitchell. “The bottom line is we want to make sure our beaches are safe for the tourists and for all of us.”
The mood was festive last Saturday as partiers gathered poolside and on decks overlooking the ocean, dancing to music by Dave and the Wave, snacking on hors d’oeuvres and downing beers and the restaurant’s famed Voodoo bucket. Billed as an “abnormal formal,” the result was decidedly more merry mayhem than casual elegance, but that was just fine.
Interestingly, the men were the peacocks at this affair; looking spiffy in dress shirts, ties and top hats – minus the tails. They left that to the “merman,” who arrived by sea and was later assisted to the pool by a couple of lifeguards; a job likely not in their standard job description, but still, all in a day’s work.
“I heard that his tail weighs about 70 pounds. When he dove down in the pool I thought – oh no, merman down!” laughed Sally Dillon, referencing merman “Seth of the Sea.”
“The main focus now is raising money to build headquarters and a tower at Humiston Park to make it safer for the lifeguards,” said Erik Toomsoo, VBLA president. “There have been a few assaults on lifeguards.”
And just as he was citing the need for police patrols to help control dogs and the occasional drunk, the need was punctuated by a man who interrupted and began poking Toomsoo in the chest and illogically telling him to take off his shirt and tie since he was being interviewed.
“And that’s why we need a police presence,” said Toomsoo with a shake of his head. “Beach safety in Vero Beach is so important, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Many of the members of the Canadian National Lifeguard Competition, who were in town for a friendly intra-squad scrimmage the day before with the VBLA competition team, consisting of lifeguards from Vero Beach, Indian River County and John’s Island, were also in attendance.
“I manage the beaches in Ottawa, and it’s only rivers and lakes; nothing like this,” said Daniel Berube. He said they initially trained in Ft. Lauderdale but prefer Vero, where they have been coming the past five years. “We now have two houses in Vero Beach for the team to come down and train. We just enjoy the people here; they’re a lot of fun. All these guys have become really good friends. We like to consider them part of our crew.”
Just before the sun began to set a conga line formed and, accompanied by the saxophone player, revelers braved the surf, secure in the knowledge that there were plenty of lifeguards to keep them safe.
