OCBP Hall of Fame

Many moons ago, I worked for the Ocean City (NJ) Beach Patrol as an ocean lifeguard. It was a great summer job and lots of fun. 

Beyond working the beach, there were plenty of opportunities to compete in various in-city and inter-city competitions. The way the big inter-city competitions worked was each beach patrol in the South Jersey region would send 1 swimmer, 1 singles rower, and 1 doubles rower as their team. There were other competitions with more competitors and some relay options as well. In order to represent at the big competitions, you had to win the in-city competition (or lose and then win in a swim-off challenge). 

This was back when I was mostly a swimmer, and I wound up representing OC in a number of competitions as their swimmer. Throughout the years I helped our patrol win three of the bigger competitions and one pool championship event.

Earlier this year, we found out that I'd be inducted into the Beach Patrol Hall of Fame. I consider this a big honor, as the patrol as between 150-180 guards on staff every season, and only 2-3 Hall of Fame inductees in any year.

So, in early August we packed up the family and headed to the Jersey shore!

We get back to the shore every two to three years but recent years have seen us spending time up in Avon-by-the-Sea which is 90 miles north of Ocean City. I enjoy getting back to OC and seeing some old friends, running the boardwalk, being a tourist at the rides, hitting a couple of the local watering holes, and bodysurfing until I'm exhausted. 

Unfortunately this year the water was extremely cold and super rough, in the mid-50s with messy, choppy waves, due to prevailing wind blowing most of the warm water back out to sea and a stormy weather pattern off-shore. My son and I still got in, but it was a real adjustment of expectations!

I wrote a speech that didn't embarass anyone, the ceremony was small but nice, and it was good to see some old friends and work mates from long ago.

Thirty years can go by quickly. Enjoy your days!