05/05/2026
Love Cannon Beach!
The first lifeguard hired in Cannon Beach was Ted Nickelsen (pictured here) in 1938. A wealthy gentleman, Mr. W.W. Ross, promoted the lifeguard program. Ross, who was an avid surf bather, swam daily and recognized a need for seasonal lifeguard assistance. Ross placed small contribution jars in local businesses and generated public support.
Nickelsen lobbied for, and was granted assistance during the summers of 1939 and 1940. Nickelsen received $3.00 a day and his assistants got $2.00 a day. At roughly 1000 yard intervals along the beach, the lifeguards placed coils of line with an attached life ring. In an emergency, lifeguards swam the rings to endangered swimmers, and citizens onshore helped in retrieving the lines. During his employ, Nickelsen and his assistants undertook about four or five rescues.
Nickelsen set up his post on the beach in front of the old Ecola Hotel. An enormous tree stump had washed ashore and lodged in front of the old building. Nickelsen placed a flag atop the stump and opened for business.
