Summer 2024 JG Team
Captain Omar Naranjo
Junior Lifeguard Captain
Years as a Lifeguard: 28 years
Years overseeing JG Program: 8
Education: Garfield HS (E.L.A.), Cerritos College, Executive Leadership Program USC Price
What is your favorite marine animal and why? Chinook salmon - can adapt to different environments and swim against the current to get the job done.
What is a fun fact about yourself? Traveled with Red Bull Air Race for 5 years teaching pilots egress from submerged aircraft.
Sgt. Shawn Farnell
JG Coordinator
Years as a Lifeguard: 11 years
Years with JG Program: 2nd year!
Education: AA-Radiological Technician
Favorite marine animal? Electric Eel, because they're shocking!
What is your favorite place in Long Beach? The Aquarium of the Pacific
Which JG event are you most excited for? Pier jumps
Favorite hobbies? Surfing, paddle boarding, and free diving
Kylee Yocky
Administrative Assistant
Years with LBFD: 9 years
Years with JGs: all 9 years!
Education: B.A. from Cal State Fullerton
What is your go-to dance move? Anything that embarrasses my children
Which JG event are you most excited for? the Ironguard!
Fun fact about yourself? I'm a mom of 3 that has never had a sip of coffee
Sabrina Zavala
JG Assistant Coordinator
Years as Lifeguard: 6 summers
Years with JGs: 3rd summer!
Education: B.S. in Kinesiology-Allied Health
Fun fact about yourself? I lived and worked on a cruise ship for 6 weeks!
What is your favorite place in Long Beach? Gusto's and fingerprints on 4th st
You’re sailing around the world, what’s the name of your boat? La Chalupa
Edson Alvarado
Cadet/ A Group Instructor
Years as a Lifeguard: 6 years
Years with JGs: 2 summers
Education: Heading to Fresno Pacific to swim in the fall!
What are your favorite hobbies? Swimming and playing pickleball
What should be a new Olympic Sport? Beach Flags
What would you want as a superpower? Superspeed
Ian Minsterman
A Group Instructor
Years as Lifeguard: 6 summers
Years with JGs: 1st summer!
Education: Cal Berkley
Your favorite Marine animal? Elephant Seal
Which JG event are you most excited for? Regionals!
What should be a new Olympic event? Dodgeball
Vince Arizpe
A Group Instructor
Years as Lifeguard: This is my 6th summer
Years with JGs: 2nd summer
Education: UCLA c/o 2022!
Who is your fictional side-kick? Donkey from Shrek, he's a noble steed
What is your favorite Marine Animal? Octopus
Which JG event are you most excited for? Pier jumps!
Isabell Ortega
A Group/B Group
Years as Lifeguard: 4 years
Years with JGs: 1st summer
Education: Mt SAC
Who is your fictional side-kick? Crypto the superdog!
What is your favorite Marine Animal? Sea Turtle
Which JG event are you most excited for? Ironguard
Max Berg
B Group Instructor
Years as Lifeguard: My 6th summer
Years with JGs: 1st summer
Education: BS at UCLA
Your favorite place in LB? East end of the breakwall
Which JG event are you most excited for? Ironguard
Your favorite hobbies? Surfing, playing music, spearfishing, reading
Emily Paz
B Group Instructor
Years as Lifeguard: 8 years
Years with JGs: 6th summer
Education: BS in Public Health, Masters in Teaching
Who is your fictional side-kick? Dory, just keep swimming!
What do you want as a superpower? Breathe underwater
What's your favorite place in LB? Roe!
Brooke Ortega
B Group Instructor
Years as a Lifeguard: 3 years
Years with JGs: My first summer!
Education: Mt. SAC
What are your favorite hobbies? Swimming, Hiking, videogames, cooking
Who is your fictional side-kick? Batman
Which JG event are you most excited for? Regionals!
Nicole Gordon
B Group Instructor
Years as Lifeguard: My 4th summer
Years with JGs: 2nd summer
Education: CSULB
Which JG event are you most excited for? Regional Run-offs
What should be the next new Olympic sport? Belly flop contest
What is your favorite Marine animal? Sea otters
Ella Jorgensen
B Group Instructor
Years as a Lifeguard: 4 years
Years with JGs: 2nd summer
Education: currently at CalPoly SLO
Who is your fictional side-kick? Nemo, he has a lucky fin and can show me around the ocean
What should be the next Olympic sport? Headstand contest!
What is your favorite Marine animal? Whale Sharks!
Brooke Gruneisen
C Group Instructor
Years as Lifeguard: My 6th summer
Years with JGs: Third year!
Education: UCLA c/o 2023!!
What should be a new Olympic sport? Ultimate Sharks & Minnows
What is your favorite place in LB? grass field by the Colorado Lagoon, perfect for picnics!
What's your favorite Marine animal? Cuttlefish, they are cute and change colors!
Alex Carroll
C Group Instructor
Years as a Lifeguard: 6 years
Years with JGs: 3rd summer
Education: LBCC/Rio Hondo Fire Academy
What are your favorite hobbies? surfing, golfing, pickleball
What is your favorite Marine animal? Garibaldi
Your favorite place in LB? Open Sesame on 2nd
Hanna Kawamoto
C Group Instructor
Years as Lifeguard: 4th summer
Years with JGs: 2nd summer
Education: Currently at UCSB
What do you want as a superpower? Talking to animals
What are your favorite hobbies? Triathlon training, reading, & drawing
Which JG event are you excited for? Pier jumps
Eric Estrada
C Group Instructor
Years as a Lifeguard: 4 years
Years with JGs: 1st summer
Education: Cerritos College & CSU Fullerton
Who is your fictional side-kick? Lil' Petey
What should be the next Olympic sport? Ultimate Hide-and-seek
What is your favorite Marine animal? Jellyfish
Michaela Summortin
C Group Instructor
Years as Lifeguard: 4th summer
Years with JGs: 2nd summer
Education: Currently at UC Irvine! ZOT ZOT!
Who is your fictional side-kick? Genie from Aladdin so I get 3 wishes
Which JG event are you most excited for? Junior Guard Regionals
What is your favorite Marine animal? Dolphins, they keep the sharks away!
Garrett Quimby
B Group Instructor
Years as Lifeguard: 8 summers on the beach!
Years with JGs: 2nd summer
Education: BS from CSULB
Which JG event are you most excited for? Pier Jumps
Your favorite hobbies? Skiing, surfing, hiking, fishing, anything outdoors!
Your fictional side-kick? Ash Ketchum from Pokemon
