John stunt-doubled 007 in the James Bond films...

... Hollywood shark (below) ...

Two forces moved Erik Jersted's life: a love of the ocean and a love of the Lord. The first motivated him to become a lifeguard, and he served atop Fort Lauderdale's guard towers for decades. The second motivated him to become a Baptist minister. He was ordained in 1991. Jersted died on Saturday of kidney failure caused by bone cancer. He was 59.

Jersted was born on Feb. 28, 1948, in New York City. He started lifeguarding on the New Jersey shore, then came to Florida and started guarding full-time in Fort Lauderdale on May 24, 1972. There, he became famous among lifeguards across the country for his lifesaving skills and equally wild lifestyle. Jersted was a regular winner at the regional level of competitions like rowing, paddling and American Ironman, said Lt. Jim McCrady of Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, who is president of the southeast region of the U.S. Lifesaving Association.

Then came the tall tales, like fending off sharks with bang sticks to protect Stella Taylor as she tried swimming from the Bahamas to Florida. Jersted's nickname: the Master. ''That's what everyone used to call him, the Master, for his mastery of all things oriented with lifeguard competitions -- swimming, rowing, paddling,'' McCrady said.

But everything changed in the early 1980s, when Jersted found Jesus. Jersted was at a vitamin shop when a store owner told him that he didn't need supplements, said his wife, Sharon Jersted. The store owner said he needed Jesus. Jersted started attending church, and his heart was converted, Sharon Jersted said. He accepted Jesus as his savior on Oct. 5, 1982, she said. He met his wife at church, where they were married in 1987. He served as a staff minister at Fort Lauderdale's First Baptist for 13 years, his wife said, and in 1991 he was ordained as a minister. His work included helping senior citizens and presiding at hundreds of funerals. ''He enjoyed helping people understand the passing from life to eternity,'' Sharon Jersted said. Jersted left First Baptist in 2002 but continued to worship at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Sharon Jersted said.

At about the same time he returned to lifeguarding full time, then found a job that combined his two loves -- the ocean and the Lord. A Texas company hired him to work as a first mate on yachts while doing mission work in the Bahamas, his wife said. He was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2006. ''He never seemed scared. He was never angry,'' Sharon Jersted said. "He was never `Why me?' ''

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, Jean Jersted of Orlando. A graveside service will be held Friday in Greensboro, N.C. A memorial service will be at 7:30 p.m. on July 27 at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, 5555 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale. Members of the lifeguard community also will pay tribute to Jersted on July 29 with a paddle-out at 7 p.m. by the south beach picnic area of Fort Lauderdale beach, near lifeguard tower 3.

Instead of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to Living Water Counseling,
12700 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, FL 33325 or 954-452-4407.

ME & COURTNEY BROWN
On the set of THUNDERBALL:
Checking our spear and sling before
going after some GROUPER for dinner

By BETH FEINSTEIN-BARTL / Waterfront News Writer

When Big John McLaughlin moved to Fort Lauderdale some 40 years ago, he remembers diving for fish and lobster under the 17th Street Bridge. “It was crystal clear,” he said. But times have changed, and so did the color of the water. “It’s like ink,” he said. “You can’t see anything under there now. We dirtied it up”

McLaughlin isn’t giving up. He often speaks to school children, at dive shows and anywhere else he’s invited, about the importance of conservation. His efforts as a preservationist were among the many reasons why McLaughlin was recently honored with the first lifetime achievement award by the National Week of the Ocean.

McLaughlin, 80, has been a charter member of the nonprofit organization since 1983. He joined the group two years after its incorporation and presently serves on its advisory board.

McLaughlin received the honor in April at an annual awards ceremony held by Week of the Ocean each spring to recognize students, professionals and volunteers from Broward County for their efforts in preserving the local marine environment. “He’s achieved so much in his life, it seemed only fitting to honor his many talents and contributions,” said Cynthia Hancock, president and co-founder of the National Week of the Ocean, Inc. “Throughout the years, he has represented the organization by speaking at schools about his career and spreading awareness about the ocean’s precious resources.”

Getting people to listen has not been too much of a problem for McLaughlin, whose talks often draw crowds eager to hear about his varied resume which features his work as a stuntman and technical underwater advisor in major motion pictures and television series such as “Flipper,” “Sea Hunt” and several James Bond films. McLaughlin, a master diver, has also worked in the film industry training dolphins and killer whales and as an underwater cinematographer.

McLaughlin always knew he would have a career involving the water. “I grew up on the docks and the beach,” he said. “I immediately had a love for the water and I never lost it.”

His first job was in 1939 as a lifeguard in his hometown of Charleston, SC. From there, his career led to serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He later worked for the Navy as a civilian engineer and machinist.

McLaughlin arrived in Fort Lauderdale in the late 1960s as a diving instructor. Attracted by the area’s vibrant boating community, he made the city his home base while traveling the world for his movie career.

Preserving South Florida’s waters, particularly its reefs, has always been a major part of his life. “They’re like a beautiful garden,” he said. “I’ve watched beautiful reefs disappear into dust.” 

Many local environmentalists credit McLaughlin with documenting reef damage off Port Everglades, leading to a no anchor zone, said Joe Hessmann, a long time friend and charter member of Week of the Ocean. McLaughlin’s accomplishments influenced thousands of people, Hessmann said. “He speaks in common language and the kids just love him.”

McLaughlin continues getting people interested in cleaning up the reefs and beaches. One of his latest appearances was at the OceanFest Dive and Adventure Sports Expo, held each April in Fort Lauderdale. “He’s a standing room only speaker,” said Neal Watson, the expo’s producer. “This was our 11th year and he’s never missed a show.”

Waterfront News - June 2007 - Year 24 Issue 3
Copyright Ziegler Publishing Co., Inc. 2007 ©