Three lifeguard rescue boats from neighboring agencies shoot their water cannons into the sky during memorial paddle out service for Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson at the Newport Pier on Sunday. (Susan Hoffman / Daily Pilot)
A youngster stops to look at portrait of Ben Carlson before participating in his memorial paddle-out. (Susan Hoffman / Daily Pilot)
Hundreds of people gather in a circle to remember Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson during a memorial paddle out at the Newport Pier on Sunday. (Susan Hoffman / Daily Pilot)
Hundreds of people gather in a circle to remember Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson during memorial paddle-out at the Newport Pier on Sunday. (Susan Hoffman / Daily Pilot)
Hundreds of people begin to make huge circle in honor of Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson on Sunday. (Susan Hoffman / Daily Pilot)
Guests sign Ben Carlson’s surfboard before the memorial paddle out for the Newport Beach lifeguard at the Newport Pier on Sunday. (Susan Hoffman / Daily Pilot)
Youngsters honor Ben Carlson with a “Ben Would Go” slogan on their backs on Sunday. (Susan Hoffman / Daily Pilot)
A State Parks lifeguard crew say a prayer during the memorial paddle out for Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson at the Newport Pier on Sunday. (Susan Hoffman / Daily Pilot)
L.A. County lifeguard Evan Cassity hugs his daughter before participating in the memorial paddle out for Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson on Sunday. (Susan Hoffman / Daily Pilot)