George Freeth

George Douglas Freeth Jr. (November 8, 1883 – April 7, 1919) was an American lifeguard, surfer, and swimming instructor of English and Native Hawaiian descent. His mother's side of the family ranked among Hawaiian royal ministers under King Kalakaua. His father's side of the family traced its ancestry to senior officers in the British military. Freeth's youth was spent in and around the ocean at Waikiki where he learned to swim and dive with local children. He later helped to renew interest in the traditional Hawaiian sport of surfing at Waikiki in the early twentieth century. He then popularized the sport in Southern California when he arrived in Los Angeles in 1907.

Freeth worked as a lifeguard throughout his nearly dozen years living in the Golden State and helped to build the foundation for the state's professional lifeguard service. His contributions also include competing as an amateur and professional swimmer and water polo player. He became a well-known swimming coach as well while working at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, training Olympic swimmers such as Duke Kahanamoku, Ludy Langer, and Ray Kegeris.

Freeth moved to San Diego in 1916 and helped to spread the popularity of surfing and swimming while employed as a swimming coach at the San Diego Rowing Club. He also continued his work as a lifeguard. He contracted the flu during the pandemic of 1918 and died in San Diego in April 1919. His contributions to California beach culture helped to create the state's renowned traditions in lifeguarding and surfing.