Vancouver’s Black lifeguard legend
November 22nd, 2024
Ruby Smith Diaz (at right) delves into the story of Serafim “Joe” Fortes, a pioneering Black lifeguard who became a cherished figure in Vancouver despite facing racism in Searching for Serafim (Arsenal Pulp Press $21.95), due out January 28, 2025. Fortes, originally from Trinidad, arrived in Canada in 1885 and quickly earned a heroic reputation for saving countless lives from drowning. His impact was so profound that his funeral attracted the largest crowd in Vancouver’s history. Over the years, Fortes has been honored with a commemorative stamp from Canada Post and several local landmarks bearing his name. However, the deeper story of how he navigated a society steeped in white supremacy as an Afro Latino man has rarely been explored.
In Searching for Serafim, Diaz touches on the complexities of Fortes’s life and legacy. Drawing from city archives and historical documents, she examines how colonial settler culture and anti-Black racism shaped his narrative. Diaz’s work goes beyond celebrating Fortes as a lifeguard, reconstructing his life through a contemporary Black lens. She interweaves archival research with personal reflections and poetry, creating a nuanced and multi-dimensional portrait of Fortes.
The book offers more than just a historical account—it is a poignant meditation on themes like displacement, identity and dignity. By shedding light on the untold aspects of Fortes’ story, this book not only redefines how we view one of Vancouver’s most revered figures but also challenges us to confront the broader historical and social dynamics that influenced his life.
Ruby Smith Diaz is an Afro Latina multidisciplinary artist, educator and award-winning body-positive personal trainer. Her experiences growing up in a migrant, poor, single-parent family in Edmonton, Alberta, have inspired her to dedicate her life’s work to exploring and addressing issues of equity and social justice. Diaz currently lives in Ladysmith, BC.
Joe Fortes in 1905 at English Bay beach. City of Vancouver Archives photo
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