For almost 100 years, lifeguard racing has been part of Jersey Shore tradition from Cape May Point to Long Beach Island.

Starting July 7, all 15 beach patrols of the South Jersey Lifeguard Chiefs Association take part in these races.

On that date, ten patrols will participate in the Cape May County Lifeguard Championships at Wildwood Crest, and the five Atlantic County beach patrols will compete in the Captain Michael D. McGrath Longport Memorial Lifeguard Races in Longport.

Bill Handley, captain of the Upper Township Beach Patrol and president of the association, said some races even go beyond the summer. But almost every Jersey shore town will host at least one race this summer.

 

Handley says most of the races start at 6:30 p.m. There are about two to three races a week, each lasting about an hour and a half.

The competitions feature the doubles row, the singles row and the swim, Handley said. There are also races with paddleboards and surf dash, which is a sprint in the ocean.

A typical lifeguard swim varies in distance, but generally speaking, they are about 10- to 12-minute races in the open water in the ocean. Some swims are out to a buoy and back. Some are boxed courses, where participants swim to one buoy, then swim parallel with each other to another buoy and then back to shore.

The races are fun to watch, but the sport has a much higher purpose, Handley said. The races prepare lifeguards for what they need to do in emergency situations. The races allows lifeguards to "hone our skills in what we would need to do to execute a rescue, whether it be by boat, paddleboard or swimming."

He adds the guards need to train year-round to compete against other patrols. Usually, they are preparing for sports, which makes them better lifeguards.

So what does the winner get? "A lot of pride," Handley said.

They are a competitive bunch, so there is a lot of pride that goes with winning — pride in your beach patrol and pride in the town you represent. Handley said there is no cash reward, but there could be a trophy or a plaque.

Lifeguard races are fun for the family, and admission is free, Handley said. Races can draw hundreds, even thousands of spectators.

The Chief's Association's main events are the Dutch Hoffman Memorial Lifeguard Championships (July 28 in Wildwood), the Margate Beach Patrol World War II Memorial Lifeguard Races (Aug. 4) and the South Jersey Lifeguard Championships (Aug. 11 in Longport).

Handley says what is so cool is that these races are historical.

The races have "been taking place for close to 100 years and there is a lot of history and tradition," Handley said.

"There are legends who have won many South Jersey titles, and they are very well -regarded. What's nice to see is kids racing whose grandfathers once raced," he said.

Racers must be at least 16 years old.

For a complete list of lifeguard races up and down the Jersey Shore, visit the South Jersey Chiefs Association Lifeguard website.

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