MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – Every day, Ray Gorospe walks down Manhattan Beach Boulevard. Once he hits the pier he’s got about four or five exercises he does. 

It’s the foundation of his physical and mental wellbeing. 

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Gorospe has lived in the South Bay for over 50 years, and at the age of 72, this is his daily exercise regimen.

With others looking for an escape from their indoor isolation, Gorospe noticed that the last weekend on The Strand was a lot more crowded 

“A lot more people, I just tied to keep this distance from them,” he said. 

Gorospe is switching up his routine too, he’s equipped his workouts with gloves and sanitizer. He's doing his part, but he has quickly become aware that not everyone is taking the same precautions. 

He’s coming from a place where he wants us to be able to continue to have access to the beach. He grew up surfing here but he also knows what it means to have this privilege truly taken away. When he was 18 years old, he was drafted to serve in Vietnam. 

So when it comes to a sacrifice like maintaining social distance to protect others health?  

“I don’t really think it’s that much, I really don’t,” he said.

It may seem frustrating now, but Gorospe has seen far worse in decades of public service. When he came back from Vietnam, he spent over three decades as a firefighter in Los Angeles. 

And just like many people who feel anxiety from being inside too long, he’s got to get outside. 

So for someone who has spent the majority of his life serving the public, he continues to enjoy the beach but keep his distance with the safety of his community in mind. 

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