Salute to First Responders: Women on the Front Line

On August 15th, during the San Diego Padres game against the Baltimore Orioles, five Solana Beach Lifeguards were honored in a pregame ceremony. The San Diego Padres presented a “Salute to First Responders: Women on the Front Line” ceremony, recognizing the women of the Solana Beach Marine Safety Department who stood on the first baseline. Solana Beach joined other esteemed departments such as the California Highway Patrol, Chula Vista Police Dept, and more.

The five women from Solana Beach who were recognized are Sophia Zilberman, Karli Canale, Kelly Telebrico, Emma Hart, and Kinsey Bettencourt. Sophia, a Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard since 2021 and a current UC San Diego student, contributes to our Junior Lifeguard program and on-beach tower duty. Karli, with us since 2020, excels beyond lifeguarding, also playing professional women's water polo with the ACU Cronulla Sharks in Australia during the off-season. Kelly, part of our team since 2000, is one of our most experienced Senior Lifeguard EMTs. She also teaches ceramics at Coronado High School and is a devoted mother to her young son Arlo. Emma, hired in 2021, not only serves as a lifeguard but is also a collegiate swimmer, holding the California State Record for Women’s 100m Butterfly and 200m Butterfly. Lastly, Kinsey, a department veteran since 2009, works primarily as a Composites Manufacturing Engineer, contributing her expertise to notable companies like Virgin Orbit and Rock West.

These accomplished women enrich our department and serve as inspiring role models for our community's youth. We are incredibly proud to have them as part of our team.