A farewell to Chanan

Torus Tammer

Junior lifeguards stood watching as the rolling waves met the gray sky

and the parents and friends of Chanan Remington gathered to say farewell.

The 14-year-old girl from Brawley in Imperial Valley died June 27,

collapsing midway through a junior lifeguard training run at Huntington

City Beach.

On the overcast June 29 morning in Huntington Beach, paramedic Tom

Wilson, a lei draped around his neck, paddled his surfboard out into the

water to perform a traditional Hawaiian memorial service.

Wilson--who tried to revive Chanan on the way to Hoag Memorial

Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach--traveled out about a mile until

he reached the pier, where Chanan’s family stood huddled.

In a scene reminiscent of one of Chanan’s favorite movies, “Endless

Summer,” Wilson placed the delicate mauve and white lei on the water,

eternally bonding Chanan with the ocean.

Michael Eich, assistant coordinator of the city Junior Lifeguard

Program, paddled alongside Wilson and floated a buoy, representing

Chanan’s peers, near the lei.

Family friend and program Director Dave Simcox said the tragedy has

tapped on many shoulders.

“You have 1,000 kids with 1,000 families in this program, and each one

of them is personally touched by this death,” Simcox said.

The cause of Chanan’s death is still under investigation. Deputy

Supervising Coroner Rod Thomas said the cause may not be known for two or

three months, pending tests.

Among those touched by her death, although he never knew Chanan, is

Chauncey Bayes, whose 17-year-old daughter was one of the 50 junior

lifeguards standing on the shore in tribute last week.

“It’s just a parent’s worst nightmare to have to bury a child,” Bayes

said.

Chanan, who completed eighth grade this year, had planned to spend the

summer in Huntington Beach with her grandparents. Jody Remington,

Chanan’s mom, grew up in Surf City.

“Her mother was a beach rat,” Simcox said. “She had a lot of great

times growing up on the sands of Huntington Beach and wanted her daughter

to have the same experiences and great times that she had.”

Chanan’s father, Michael Remington--speaking on behalf of his wife,

their 11-year-old daughter, Danielle; and their 9-year-old son,

Eric--said his family has been bolstered by the community’s support.

“This is a terrible time for us, but I would like to say that we are

really touched by the compassion and caring of the people here,” Michael

Remington said. “My wife has especially been overwhelmed by people’s

generosity and support. We all just really appreciate everything everyone

has done.”

Services were held in Brawley on Saturday. In lieu of flowers,

contributions may be made in Chanan’s memory to the Trinity Lutheran

Church Scholarship Fund, 275 N. 1st St., Brawley, CA 92227.