Seraphim 'Joe' Fortes arrived in Vancouver from his native
Trinidad in 1885. Enamoured with the many beautiful swimming
locations, he decided to stay, eventually moving into a tent
on his favourite beach at English Bay. While there, he taught
both adults and children to swim and appointed himself
voluntary patrolman, chaperoning couples and chasing away
hooligans.
In 1894 the city made him an official lifeguard.
When Joe passed away, in 1922, the city paid for a public
funeral, which thousands attended.
