A Seal Beach lifeguard sustained a severe spinal cord injury while surfing as a junior lifeguard instructor on Friday, June 27, city officials announced, and fundraising efforts are underway.
The lifeguard, identified as Isaiah Osorio, has been with the Marine Safety Department since 2023, and was planning on attending UCLA in the fall, the city of Seal Beah said in a news release. The 20-year-old is a graduate of Los Alamitos High School.
“Lifeguards responded immediately, and he was transported by ambulance to a local hospital,” the release said. “The city of Seal Beach and Marine Safety Department commend the quick actions of the lifeguards and we extend our full support to Isaiah and his family during his recovery.”
It wasn’t immediately known how the injury occurred.
A GoFundMe launched to help the family with medical and other costs called the accident a “life-altering spinal cord injury that changed his world in an instant.”
Osorio is a “vibrant scholar-athlete, son, brother, and friend,” the GoFundMe reads. “Outside the pool, Isaiah loves staying active — hiking local trails, playing pickleball with friends, and taking early morning walks that fuel his competitive spirit and joy for life.”
As he faces overwhelming medical and rehabilitation costs, “your support will give him the chance to heal, adapt, and continue chasing his dreams,” it says.
At Los Alamitos High School, Osorio earned varsity letters in water polo and swimming, alongside four Academic All-American honors, before continuing his athletic and academic journey at Cypress College and earning an acceptance to UCLA.
During his time at Cypress College, he was a scholar-athlete on the men’s water polo team while studying business.
Nearly $50,000 was raised as of Sunday at 10 a.m.