A 9-minute love letter to the man who taught Vancouver to swim — and stole its heart.
This animated short tells the story of Seraphim "Joe" Fortes, one of Vancouver's most beloved citizens. Born in the West Indies, Joe Fortes swam in English Bay for over than 30 years. A self-appointed lifeguard at first, he became so famous that the city of Vancouver finally rewarded him with a salary for doing what he loved best.
Direction
Haras lets silence breathe like water itself.
Writing
Economy of story: decades in minutes, weight intact.
Director
Jill Haras
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Joe Fortes was Vancouver's first Black lifeguard at a time when Black residents were routinely excluded from public spaces; his unofficial authority represented a crack in systemic segregation.
A statue of Joe still stands in Vancouver's Alexandra Park — locals still rub his bronze shoe for luck before swimming.
CA
