Tragedy strikes Ben Did Go 11.0 prone paddle at mile 11 after leaving Catalina Island
The Ben Carlson Paddle is designed to be a celebratory fundraiser for the Ben Carlson Foundation, honoring Ben’s life that came to a tragic end in early July 2014 at the end of a long holiday weekend.
Suffice it to say, when I say the Paddle is celebratory, please understand that it’s grueling: 32 miles prone paddling between Catalina and Newport Beach. The camaraderie is what keeps you going.
Ben Did Go 11.0 left Catalina in the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 19 for its 11th year.
Unfortunately, disaster struck later at mile 11 when a serious medical incident occurred to one of the paddlers. Despite an incredible response attempt from the foundation’s safety team and supporting agencies, Brian Olson, 37, of Newport Beach, never regained consciousness.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of the Ben Carlson Foundation
Remembering Brian Olson
Olson was born in Pasadena, attended Loyola High School and graduated from USC with a degree in international relations. He later moved to Newport Beach, where he met his wife, Marika Fedalen. The couple had been married for 10 years and had two children.
Friends and family described Olson as an “ocean obsessed adventurer who surfed, swam and had recently become passionate about prone paddleboarding.”
According to Ben Carlson’s father, Chris, the foundation is “still working with Brian’s family to determine how (they) can best support them.”
“Our family, our foundation team and the 91 paddlers that trained and paddled alongside Brian are so saddened by what was otherwise a beautiful morning in the Catalina Channel.”
Olson’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9 at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach. A reception follows from 12-2 p.m.
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The California Supreme Court dealt the city of Newport Beach another setback on Wednesday (Sept. 30) in its effort to stop the court-ordered November 3 special election.
The city had asked the state’s highest court to review the case and stay lower-court orders requiring three citizen-sponsored charter initiatives from going before Newport Beach voters next month.
The dispute stems from Orange County Superior Court Judge Julianne Bancroft’s ruling that the City Council abused its discretion when they attempted to schedule the three initiatives for November 2028 rather than 2026.
The measures deal with City Council term limits, district-only City Council voting and government transparency for all public meetings.
An appellate court also previously rejected the city’s attempts.
Although the Supreme Court’s decision would seemingly give the impression that the decision removes any roadblocks from the election taking place, that’s not necessarily the case.
Time, or a lack thereof, and several issues remain as perhaps overwhelming challenges for the city. Those include access to the required ink for ballot printing and the signatures required for ballot approval. But remain inaccessible.
Expect the city to now present those challenges back to Judge Bancroft’s court while explaining the impossibilities of conducting such an election in this timeframe.
The judge could, it seems, then move the election to June 2028, or decide to hold the city in contempt.
• • •
You want to run for office? You’d better be able to raise some money! These days it can take more than you think to organize a worthy campaign.
With that said, here’s where the candidates were at with the most recent filings at the end of September.
First up, District 1. The incumbent Joe Stapleton has been so effective in his fundraising that he’s eclipsed any levels ever before attained in local council politics.
Joe has amassed more than $380,000 in contributions, and has more than $190,441 in cash on hand. Stapleton got comfortable and only raised $9,600 in the most recent period, as part of his $77,226 YTD total figure.
His opposition, Tina Babajanians, did not raise any funds.
In District 3, challenger Walter Stahr has raised $101,228 during the most recent period, bringing his YTD totals to $215,230. He currently has $156,082 in cash on hand.
His opposition challenger, Tim Stoaks, has only raised $4,700 overall, including a personal loan of $2,000, with just three individual contributors of $2,600.
Incumbent Erik Weigand reported $25,050 this last period in contributions, bringing his YTD to $78,189, with $63,811 in cash on hand. His contributions include transferred campaign funds of $8,000 from his wife’s 2024 Newport-Mesa Unified School Board campaign and his own prior water board campaign.
In District 4, Robyn Grant is running unopposed. Still, she raised $28,905 this most recent period, bringing her YTD to $67,811 and sits with a $159,549 of cash on hand.
Finally, in District 6, Mayor Lauren Kleiman raised $3,974 this last period, bringing her total to $102,188 YTD, and has $156,893 in the bank. She also shows a $2,800 personal loan.
Her challenger, Dr. Andy Gerken, has raised $58,768 this most recent period, bringing his YTD total to $131,810, which includes a personal loan of $22,000. His cash on hand is $44,952.
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The Hoag Newport Beach 4–Man (and Woman), presented by Eagle Four Partners, returns to the iconic Newport Pier zone for another year of elite beach competition, October 17 and 18.
Eagle Four once again joins forces with Steve “OB” Obradovich to host men’s and women’s divisions featuring an extended field of top U.S. athletes over two days, vying for a purse of $200,000.
Here are just some of the world-class names you’ll enjoy seeing compete:
–Phil Dalhausser, a 2008 Olympic gold medalist, AVP legend with 60+ tour victories.
–Chase Budinger, 2024 Paris Olympian and former NBA player.
–Miles Evans, Budinger’s partner at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
–Taylor Crabb, a 16-time AVP champion and one of the sport’s most popular and entertaining players.
–Trevor Crabb, Taylor’s brother and longtime AVP standout.
–Andy Benesh, 2024 Paris Olympian who is now teamed with Taylor Crabb.
–Kelly Cheng, a two-time Olympian who finished fifth at the Paris Games.
–Kristen Cruz, a Paris Olympian who subsequently reached the world No. 1 ranking and won consecutive Manhattan Beach Opens.
–Taryn Brasher, Cruz’s partner and part of the women’s No. 1-ranked pairing.
New to this year’s event is what’s being called a “Qualification Tournament” on Saturday, where four teams drafted by gender will battle to secure the final spot in the Main Draw.
There are lots of ways to enjoy the weekend. Get tickets at www.nbvolleyball.com/tickets.
• • •
Experience Drew Baldridge live and in concert on the Sunset Lawn of the VEA Newport Beach, enjoying food, drinks, coastal views and an unforgettable afternoon on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 4:30 p.m.
Baldridge will bring his acclaimed country sound featuring authentic, modern country music rooted in farm, faith and family. His breakout single, She’s Somebody’s Daughter, became the first independently released debut single to hit No. 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart.
The afternoon will kick off with an opening performance from rising country singersongwriter Alyssa Flaherty, whose soulful vocals and heartfelt songs will set the tone for a memorable day.
• • •
The Orange County Supervisors unanimously voted to appoint Newport Beach resident Vincent Howard to the OC Assessment Appeals Board No. 3.
No. 3 (AAB) serves as the county’s Local Board of Equalization, which offers property owners the right to challenge the assessed value of their property as set by the County Assessor.
According to Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley, “Vincent Howard brings extensive legal experience, military service and a strong commitment to our community.”
• • •
It’s time to “batten down the hatches” so to speak in Newport Beach. The Pacific Airshow returns to Huntington Beach, today through Sunday (Oct. 2-4). With it comes military demonstrations, aerobatics and beachside entertainment…oh, and lots of noise.
By attendance alone, this is the largest air show in the U.S.
• • •
The Balboa Island Improvement Association will host a candidates’ forum this Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m., at the Fire Station on the Island. It is open to the public.
