Surfers pay tribute to lifeguard

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Hundreds of surfers paddled out on boards to remember a Southern California lifeguard who drowned a week ago while saving a swimmer caught in treacherous surf.

The Orange County Register reports that more than 2,000 people joined the paddle-out tribute Sunday in Newport Beach in memory of 32-year-old lifeguard Ben Carlson. Thousands more watched from the pier and beach.

Carlson died a week ago during a rescue after disappearing under 10- to 12-foot waves. He was the first lifeguard to die in the Orange County city known for sandy beaches and waves that attract the attention of surfers worldwide.