To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: CAMERON HARDING, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
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ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2109-085, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 AS “MIND BODY OCEAN 10K SWIM FOR MENTAL HEALTH DAY” IN THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH IN SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT OF MIND BODY OCEAN FUNDRAISING WATER SPORTS EVENT TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH COASTAL WATERS AND IN APPRECIATION OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY’S EFFORTS TO PERMIT THE EVENT AND PROVIDE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City has partnered with the County of Los Angeles, local water sports professionals and businesses to create open water swim events for the purpose of activating the Redondo Beach coastal waters. Following consultation with the City Manager and Mayor, a new charity swim event was created in 2021 to continue the City’s promotion of water sports as well as to demonstrate the capacity of the Redondo Beach coastal waters to sustain internationally recognized events.
A partnership with Mind Body Ocean (“MBO”) accomplishes these goals and also provides an opportunity for a charity swim event that raises awareness and funding to support mental health issues and community support. For this event, funds raised will be donated to the South Bay Youth Project, part of the South Bay Children’s Health Center which has been helping at risk youth in the South Bay since 1947. 2021 would mark the first year of the official 10K Swim for Mental Health.
Adoption of Resolution No. CC-2109-085 would officially recognize and support the open water charity swim event to be held on October 2, 2021.
BACKGROUND
Mind Body Ocean was founded by Dr. Sasha Speer in 2020 after the passing of a friend’s son due to mental health issues during the pandemic. A lifelong swimmer, Dr. Speer understands the neurophysiological benefits of water sports and community and wanted to bring those together to help raise awareness and funding for local mental health organizations.
A small unofficial “friend organized” swim was done in 2020 that raised $1200 for the South Bay Youth Project. This year would mark the first official swim and, with that, Dr. Speer hopes to raise at least $5,000 for the South Bay Youth Project.
Since 1947, The South Bay Children’s Health Center (SBCHC) has served the children of the South Bay with hearing, vision, and mental health services. It expanded its mental health services in 2008 integrating the South Bay Youth Project (SBYP), formerly run by the City of Redondo Beach. The SBYP allows the Center to offer a full range of child and youth focused mental health services in a clinic environment as well as within local schools.
It should be noted that the City recognizes the event partnership with Los Angeles County and appreciates their expertise in organizing and implementing the open water swim event. Approximately 100 swimmers and paddlers are expected for the charity event, leaving from and returning to Ruby Tower in Redondo Beach. For those wishing to learn more about the October 2, 2021 Mind Body Ocean open water charity swim event and to register, they may visit the following website: www.mindbodyocean.org.
COORDINATION
The Resolution has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
Event logistics for the Mind Body Ocean charity swim will be coordinated between Mind Body Ocean, the City of Redondo Beach and LA County. MBO will coordinate logistics with LA County and is responsible for the County permit, personnel and similar costs related to the event. These costs are not yet known.
APPROVED BY:
Joe Hoefgen, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution No. CC-2109-085