Marty and I decided to surf Will Rogers State Beach where Chautauqua Road and Santa Monica Canyon meet the sea. Waves were mediocre at best, but to use a Marty-ism: "it was a go-out." On the way in Marty calmly tells me that he thinks he has been hit by a stingray. Sure enough, between the toes on Marty's left foot was a wound flowing bright red blood. I summoned a lifeguard who sizes up the situation -- the only two people in the water on a lousy surf day and is probably thinking "Kooks." He starts interviewing Marty with questions like: Are you sure it was a stingray? -- Maybe you stepped on something. How old are you and finally: What is your name? When the victim replies "Martin Sugarman" the young lifeguard's eyes light up. MARTY SUGARMAN?!? You are MARTY SUGARMAN? Your picture is up on the wall in our tower. Oh my God, Marty Sugarman you are a hero. We had to calm him down so he could render first aid. I shuttled Marty home in his rattly Saab convertible surf-mobile. We stopped for a smoothie at the health food store next to Horizon Surf Shop on Main Street and laughed about the days events. The young lifeguard stored Marty's board at the Temescal tower where the photo of Marty's hangs to this day. He was rewarded for his kindness with the latest issues of H2O Magazine.
Katherine Wellington
Great story, Katherine!
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