Chuck Graham’s Life Outside

Lifeguard-Paddler-Author-Photographer’s New Channel Islands Book

By Matt Kettmann | June 9, 2022

PASSION FOR PADDLING: Longtime Carpinteria resident Chuck Graham turned his love for the outdoors into a dynamic career. He works the beaches as a lifeguard, guides tourists around on kayak, and covers his adventures for multiple publications. His latest book about hiking the Channel Islands came out in March. | Credit: Sonya Van Dam

Chuck Graham would have reason to celebrate even if it were just his 30th year of being a lifeguard for the City of Carpinteria, where he’s lived almost his entire life.

But saving sunbathers is a small part of this outdoor enthusiast’s resume. He’s also a veteran Channel Islands kayak guide and explorer; a volunteer ranger at San Miguel Island; a longtime freelance writer-photographer for National Geographic, the BBC, and this publication, among many others; and an author of nature-focused books, the first being 2021’s Carrizo Plain: Where the Mountains Meet the Grasslands.

In March, Graham published his second book, a co-authored guide with John “The Trailmaster” McKinney called Hike the Channel Islands: The Best Day Hikes in Channel Islands National Park. Featuring 20 hikes, of which Graham wrote 12 and photographed almost everything, the book outlines the walkable highlights of each of the park’s five islands, from Santa Barbara in the south to San Miguel in the northwest. Even though the islands are becoming a well-known destination both near and far, this book is basically the first of its kind.