On March 28, 2026, a paddle out celebration was held at Cress St. Beach to honor the passing of former Laguna Beach Lifeguard Chief Mike Dwinell.  A large group of Dwin's friends, family and lifeguard co-workers were present.

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Dwin started guarding in Laguna in 1968, and served a total of 26 years, with the last part of his career as the Department's Chief. Along with being a master of all the normal lifeguarding skills, Dwin was an expert at mountain climbing and cliff rappelling rescues. He played an integral role in developing the Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department's cliff rescue training operations, making them state of the art. This tradition continues to this day on the Department.

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During his tenure as Chief, Dwin championed the construction of a proper lifeguard headquarters at the north end of Main Beach. For decades all operations had been conducted solely from the white Main Beach tower. The HQ was completed in 1985 and remained in service until the current HQ was built 20 years later.

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For his entire career Dwin was a solid role model for generations of young lifeguards. He embraced the ideals of a true waterman.  He was also very detail oriented, an essential trait working at, and eventually leading a public safety agency.

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Dwin was married to his wife Kim for 33 years.  Kim was also an accomplished lifeguard and to this day has maintained  a strong connection to life around the ocean.  Dwin is survived by his wife Kim, his sons Dustin, Aaron and Ethan, his mother Bea, brother William and sisters Judy and Patti.

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