The "Baywatch" and the Baal Shem Tov
Rabbi Nachum Shifren
It was one of those "Indian Summer" days, where balmy weather and
unseasonable warm ocean temperatures grace the California coastline. While the rest of the country was in anticipation of the upcoming Thanksgiving feast, struggling with the realities of snowplows, tire chains, and frozen pipes, the lifeguards at Santa Monica beach were working overtime to deal with the unusually large crowds south of the pier. These are the days the locals wait for: those late South Pacific swells, smooth-textured waves, wrapping their way up the coast while buffeted by warm off-shore breezes, knows as "Santa Anas". In short, it's a small taste of Hawaiian-like conditions, catching most people back in school, work, or stuck in freeway traffic, with just a lucky few around to share the bounty!
Whatever the conditions, Winter or Summer, "Baywatch" lieutenant Thoms C. Zahn is at the helm of Santa Monica's rescue boat and ready for the next dispatch--a downed plane from nearby L.A. International Airport, boats in distress, a forlorn long-distance swimmer--every day's a different story.
On board the "Baywatch", however, there's something very unusual going on. Lt Zahn is "holding court" with some younger lifeguards, revealing to these up-and-coming watermen tales about the 'old days' from the world's greatest ocean master and paddleboarder. In fact, you don't just swim out to Zahn's realm out past the breakers. Often one has to be "scheduled" in, calling the revered lifeguard pioneer in advance to get counseled on everything from proper diet while training for the marathon of paddleboard races, the Catalina, to proper attitudes about life, work, and family.
"Keep it simple," Zahn responded curtly to several of the guards in his
midst, with one hand at the helm of the rescue boat and a watchful eye out to sea. "You only need the basics to stay alive and maintain superior health,", his latest quip coming as he took out his standard lunch of low fat cottage cheese, almonds, all washed down by organic carrot juice. "And be sure you get enough vitamin C when you're paddling on those cold Winter mornings!"
Were the Baal Shem Tov, chassidic master and revealer of the secrets of the universe, on board the "Baywatch" that day, he no doubt would have nodded his approval of Zahn's echoing the great talmudic principle: "Sanctify yourself with that which is permitted." No more, no less.
In the ocean of life, with all its wonders, it's still the basics that are the foundation.
Lt. Tom Zahn--mentor, paddleboarding champion, and lifeguarding
pioneer--keeping it all simple!
