Benefit this Wednesday for LA County Lifeguard Kyle Pond Leukemia Fund
photo by Tyler Stover
Until that day last May, the strongest fever local surf star and LA County Lifeguard Kyle Pond had ever felt was “surf fever.” Just the prior week, the 27-year-old, South High graduate was taking it to it on his Tyler Surfboards noserider at his beloved Torrance Beach. What gradually started with a very high temperature led to Pond having flu-like conditions with chills and an overall weak feeling.
“His girlfriend Erin began looking up the causes of what is making Kyle sick online,” said Kyle’s best friend and LA County Firefighter Christian McArthur. “I told her it could be a million things. Leukemia was mentioned, but that’s the last thing I thought could ever happen. Leukemia normally has a chronic onset — Kyle had only been sick for a couple of days.”
At the emergency room, doctors diagnosed Pond with acute leukemia. Immediately he was rushed to the radiation center. Since his diagnosis, Pond has been through many levels of chemo and has been in and out of the hospital. Currently, Pond needs support with his medical bills. The local surf and waterman community has stepped up with a crowdfunding campaign.
“Every time I drove by his JG group at Topaz not only did he have a big smile on his face, but all 30 of his Junior Guards also did. He seems to pass his love for the ocean along to the kids,” said LA County lifeguard captain Tom Seth. “Kyle is also an incredible surfer, as you know. I would say of the County’s thousand lifeguards I would put Kyle in the top ten surfers.”
On Wednesday, August, 17, a fundraiser will be held for Pond at R-10 Social House in Redondo Beach from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. A $20 donation entry fee includes dinner. A Silent Auction will offer the chance to bid on once-in-a-lifetime items: hand shaped and glassed by Tyler Hatzikian balsa “777” (Kyle’s all time favorite shape) model Tyler surfboard, Kayaks, surfboards, and SUP shaped by Andy Prunauer of Proper Surfboards and Joe Bark of Bark Surfboards, South Bay Brewery Tour for up to 14 people, Manhattan Beach Fire Station Dinner, Kaaboo Music Festival tickets, and many other items.
“We are very appreciative of all the community support,” said McAthur. “Kyle is extremely stoked. Just the good vibes mean so much to him.”
For more info: youcaring.com/kyle-pond-570400 ER
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