Not Only a Broker, a Newport Activist
Chris Conway, Senior Associate at Lee & Associates
Irvine has been closing deals for seven years. Throughout his journey as a
broker, many people have learned about who he is and the impact he has made on
his community. When Conway is not working, he is busy making a difference
in hometown, Newport Beach, California.
Two years ago, Conway’s best friend of 19 years made the
ultimate life sacrifice to save a swimmer in distress. His name was Ben Carlson
– a natural born swimmer and expert waterman. Conway and Carlson met in high
school on the water polo team and instantly became best friends. They shared a
common interest of swimming, eventually both joined the storied group of
Newport Beach lifeguards. They became roommates and spent their summers
protecting swimmers, surfers and Newport’s numerous tourists.
On July 6th 2014 Carlson was on duty when he saw
a swimmer struggling during a very large swell in Newport Beach. Carlson
jumped off the lifeguard patrol boat and towards the man. He offered him his
buoy, and then a shattering wave crashed--knocked Carlson unconscious.
The victim survived as he held on to Carlson’s buoy and was towed to shore.
Carlson’s body was found three hours later. They say the good ones go too fast, and that’s because they have the greatest impacts. They are the ones we will never forget, but always remember. Ben Carlson was certainly a legend and his story will be remembered forever—especially thanks to the BCMSF, The Carlson Family, Conway, and their friends, who have turned this this devastation into a lifelong project that has made a stamp on Newport Beach: The Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Foundation. Since its inception, the foundation has given thousands of dollars in swim lessons, scholarships and safety lessons to young children to ensure Ben’s legacy. Their most recent feat was the unveiling of a community and foundation sourced statue of Carlson himself—now he lives on to watch over Newport’s coastline forever.
We hope this story encourages you to visit The Ben Carlson
Foundation’s webpage. And always remember, Ben would DID go.
