Surf And Rescue

The mixed-race Hawaiian athlete George Freeth brought surfing to Venice, California, in 1907. Over the next twelve years, Freeth taught Southern Californians to surf and swim while creating a modern lifeguard service that transformed the beach into a destination for fun, leisure, and excitement. Patrick Moser places Freeth’s inspiring life story against the rise of the Southern California beach culture he helped shape and define. Freeth made headlines with his rescue of seven fishermen, an act of heroism that highlighted his innovative lifeguarding techniques. But he also founded California's first surf club and coached both male and female athletes, including Olympic swimming champion and “father of modern surfing” Duke Kahanamoku. Often in financial straits, Freeth persevered as a teacher and lifeguarding pioneer--building a legacy that endured long after his death during the 1919 influenza pandemic. A compelling merger of biography and sports history, Surf and Rescue brings to light the forgotten figure whose novel way of seeing the beach sparked the imaginations of people around the world.

Meet the students at Puppy Academy—a team of plucky puppies learning to be working dogs. Murphy is used to being top dog; no one at Puppy Academy can perform a water rescue like he can. But when he's sent to the beach to try for his Surf Rescue Badge, his first time in the ocean leaves him wave-tossed and afraid. Will Murphy find the confidence to get back in the water? Can he be brave when it matters most?

Moki the gecko wins a surfing contest and uses his prize money to encourage humans to clean up polluted beaches.

Puppies to the rescue! Murphy the leonberger puppy is used to being the best, so when new student Rodrigo comes top of the class he struggles with his jealousy. But Murphy faces his biggest challenge when he is sent to the beach to try for his Surf Rescue Badge. Can he be brave when it matters most? From award-winning author Gill Lewis, Puppy Academy is a fun series introducing young readers to a team of plucky, irresistible puppies, learning their jobs as working dogs. The series is illustrated throughout with fun and engaging artwork.

One morning in September 2011, a large crowd gathered at the shore in Huntington Beach, California. The people had come to watch dozens of surfers ride the rolling ocean waves. This wasn’t just any surfing competition, however—the surfers were dogs! With more than a thousand fans cheering the competitors on, an English bulldog named Sir Hollywood rode a long wave and was declared one of the winners. Surf dog competitions are fairly new, but dogs have been riding surfboards with their owners for fun since the 1920s. In Surf Dog Miracles, kids will meet the talented dogs that learn to balance on a surfboard, recover if they almost fall off the board, and even surf backward. Some surf dogs raise money for charity, while others can help people with disabilities ride a wave. Packed with real-life stories and full-color photos of these special animals, this book is sure to be a favorite of dog lovers everywhere.

An exciting new series of amazing true stories about ordinary children who displayed extraordinary bravery to save someone else's life.

In the land of sand castles, they're the kings. A million and a half of us watch them on TV every week as they save lives and win Logies. And all they're doing is their job - and what a job it is! This is the inside story of Bondi Rescue's lifeguards, that casual bunch of easy-going water-boys who look after Australia's most famous piece of sand and surf - who've somehow become famous as a result. As you'll find out between these pages, there's quite a bit more to the Bondi Rescue boy - and crew - than meets the eye . . . or the TV camera. Be a part of their incredible journey and discover the effect this has had on their lives. 'If you're ever lucky enough to paddle way out the back with the guys on the rescue boards, that's when the stories begin to flow. Not only are these men true Australian heroes, they can weave a great yarn too.' - Andrew G