Landmark Hermosa: Tim Kelly Statue

A surf hero and legendary lifeguard, Tim Kelly is remembered in town by a bronze statue that sits at the foot of the Hermosa Beach Pier for all to see.

Kelly, who was well known to the South Bay's Junior Lifeguard Program, died at age 24 in a car crash while returning home from a surf trip to San Diego's Trestles Beach in 1964.

Following his death, Kelly's friends and local lifeguards commissioned a statue in his honor.

The first Tim Kelly statue, built 45 years ago, was made of foam and fiberglass. The statue went through a series of refurbishings and was finally recast in a bronze replica.

The fiberglass original was kept in storage at the city's historical museum, but in March, historical society President Rick Koenig noticed that the head was missing from the original statue. There has been no word on whether the head has been found.

On the bronze monument, a plaque reads: "The Tim Kelly lifeguard memorial is dedicated to the brave men and women who have passed through the ranks of the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Lifeguard Division. Their courage, professionalism and devotion to lifesaving is recognized worldwide."

Congratulations to Bob Uzzo, Pam Beall, and Melinda Curtis for winning today's Landmark Hermosa. We'll have a new landmark to guess next Friday.