{"id":437257,"date":"2026-08-19T12:04:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T12:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/437257\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T12:04:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T12:04:48","slug":"teen-lifeguard-suffers-spinal-cord-injury-during-san-diego-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/437257\/","title":{"rendered":"Teen lifeguard suffers spinal cord injury during San Diego training"},"content":{"rendered":"

A young San Diego lifeguard<\/a> suffered a devastating spinal cord injury when a routine ocean training exercise took a life-altering turn.<\/p>\n

Finn was working as a San Diego Junior Lifeguard when he ran into the ocean and struck his head on the ocean floor<\/a> July 31, leaving him unconscious.<\/p>\n

Fellow lifeguards immediately rushed to help before Finn was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, where he underwent emergency surgery to stabilize his cervical spine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lifeguard Finn suffered a severe spinal cord injury after striking his head on the ocean floor while diving into the water during a routine training relay on July 31, 2026, in San Diego, California. Gofundme<\/p>\n

Finn was left unconscious and was sent over to a hospital in La Jolla. Gofundme<\/p>\n

\u201cOur hearts are with Finn, his family, friends, and our entire San Diego lifeguard community following a tragic accident,\u201d Prevent Drowning San Diego, a nonprofit focused on preventing drownings, posted on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A GoFundMe campaign<\/a> for Finn\u2019s recovery has raised more than $55,700 toward its $60,000 goal.<\/p>\n

Doctors placed \u201ctitanium instrumentation from C2 through C6 and replaced his C5 vertebra,\u201d according to the fundraiser.<\/p>\n

Finn has regained some movement in his arms, but had no movement in his hands or legs at the time of the fundraiser\u2019s initial posting.<\/p>\n

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The GoFundMe for Finn has raised over $55,700. Gofundme<\/p>\n

In an update Monday<\/a>, Finn\u2019s mother said her son was prone again and that the family believes he is doing a little better.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re overwhelmed by the incredible love and support we\u2019ve received. Thank you all so much!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The heartbreaking accident comes just weeks after another young California lifeguard, 16-year-old Ryder Williams, was hailed as a hero<\/a> for risking his own life to save a 10-year-old boy caught in dangerous surf.<\/p>\n

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Junior lifeguards participate in their own competition day. Instagram\/@sandiegojuniorlifeguards<\/p>\n

The San Diego Junior Lifeguard program trains kids ages 9 to 17 in ocean safety, CPR and basic first aid alongside professional lifeguards.<\/p>\n

During the week Finn was injured, junior lifeguards took part in events including a \u201cmile run, buoy swim, paddle relay, beach flags, and more,\u201d according to a San Diego Junior Lifeguard Instagram post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It remains unclear whether Finn was injured during one of those specific events.<\/p>\n

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