Zest For Life

Photo: Jeff Berting

Published By: Torrance Memorial Hospital’s Pulse Magazine

Combine San Pedro, sun, salt, boxing gloves, and a ferocity to compete, win and have fun while doing it. What do you get? Mark Lozano and John Matesich (aka Matty).

For context, Mark and Matty are childhood friends who grew up in San Pedro from as early as 1941. Both still reside there to this day. Both were ocean lifeguards stationed at Cabrillo Beach for upwards of 57 years—Mark at one point a captain, and Matty one of the oldest—if not the oldest—lifeguard in history, who retired at the ripe young age of 75.

So where does boxing come in for a couple of lifeguards?