On Thursday, June 3rd, Hayden Hemmens, a Newport Beach lifeguard of 8 years, Newport Beach junior lifeguard instructor, US Lifesaving Association World Champion and a Local swim coach for Costa Mesa Aquatics Club (CMAC) suffered a life changing accident bodysurfing the world Famous Wedge. While training to hone his bodysurfing skills, like he has been doing for years since being a Junior Lifeguard; He took off on a wave about 6 feet in height and managed to ride it for a quick second before being covered up and tossed around. In the underwater toss up, Hayden landed harshly on his right foot and shattered multiple bones in his ankle and suffered a compound fracture to his tibia and fibula bones. Both bones were damaged enough to protrude from his leg upon impact.  Hayden was fortunate enough to have the his co-workers from the Newport Beach Lifeguard department along with the with his skilled bodysurfing friends from the Wedge. The heroic efforts to rescue Hayden and bring him to shore by the Lifeguards and the bodysurfers should be commended as they had to struggle to bring him to shore with a 6 to 8ft shore break swell to safety with a compound leg fracture with multiple broken bones. 

 Hayden has a long road to recovery with months of inactive recovery and many more of physical therapy. His ability to return to competition is unknown as his main priority is to return to being healthy and to be able to remain a Lifeguard. 

To add to the Hemmens family stress of Hayden's injury is that Hayden, for the last 2 months, has also been taking care of his mother at home who has been suffering from Compartment Syndrome in her left elbow. She is alive by the grace of god, but the mobility of her left arm is very limited and now with Hayden immobilized, their family is struggling to do everyday tasks. 

This GOFUND ME is being done by his coworkers from the NBLG Department and his Swim Club Costa Mesa Aquatics Club, any help would be greatly appreciated and proceeds will go to the Hemmens Family. 

Please help support Hayden and his family through this tough time. Any donation is very appreciated and will go a long way to help the Hemmens family take care of themselves.