Local Squads Off to Strong Start in Lifeguard Races
The repeat Beschen-Callahan champions (from left): Danny Rogers, Pat Scannapieco, Dustin Laricks, Andrew Taylor, Corbin King, and Kylie Fry
Sea Isle City owns a sizzling start.
Upper Township has several accomplishments, along with a signature midsummer charity event.
Different highlights marked the local beach patrols as midseason approached the South Jersey lifeguard racing circuit.
The early-season assessment was slow to materialize, as bad weather twice delayed the season-opening Cape May County championships.
But Sea Isle City served notice of its strength with a second consecutive Beschen-Callahan team triumph and Upper Township had some sterling individual efforts.
Here is a look at how the early season unfolded:
Sea Isle City
Mark Your Calendar
Here are some of the big races to mark the highlights of the racing season. Some dates may change based on weather, always check.
July 26
Dutch Hoffmans, Wildwood
Aug. 2
Margate Memorials, Margate
Aug. 7
Bill Howarth Lifeguard Invitational, Ventnor. This is considered the unofficial South Jerseys on the female circuit. It is considered the biggest summer race.
Aug. 9
South Jerseys, Brigantine
All events are slated
for 6:30 p.m.
Sea Isle City came storming out of the gate with the Beschen-Callahan victory in North Wildwood, totaling 31 points behind victories in four events and solid overall depth.
Young guns contributed timely triumphs. Kylie Frye won the female rescue board and can run, and Dustin Laricks secured the male rescue board top prize. Andrew Taylor delivered a win in the male swim.
Danny Rogers, a 2021 South Jerseys champion for Sea Isle City, took second in the singles swim behind Avalon’s Ryan Finnegan. That could be an interesting rivalry to watch, especially if both continue to perform well and prosper at the South Jerseys in August.
This was an encouraging opening glimpse for Sea Isle City Beach Patrol Chief Renny Steele, enjoying his 54th season here.
“The season is young and the competitors have not competed in enough races for me to identify the athletes most deserving of recognition,” he says. “But I can say that it is nice to have swimmer Andrew Taylor, who placed first in the male swim category at the Beschen-Callahan Races, back after serving an internship last summer. I was told Kylie Fry trained hard this past offseason and so far it appears her hard work has paid off. Speaking to her character, she was more excited about helping the team to win than her individual achievements.
“Dustin Laricks gave us a nice first-place finish in the men’s paddleboard at the Beschen-Callahan Races,” he added. “Veteran swimmer Mary Kate Leonard and rower Danny Rogers, as always, have been very competitive so far this summer. A shout-out to Danny, who is very supportive of both the male and female competitors and is humble enough to hold the bow, in ice cold water, for third-year rower Maura Quinn.”
Steele said that winning the Beschen-Callahan two years in a row is a remarkable achievement considering the high number of events it showcases. That tests a patrol’s depth. He considers competition from neighboring patrols to be formidable.
Although Sea Isle City often fares well in competition, Steele would like the public to keep that in context.
“The lifeguard races are a huge part of the beach patrol experience,” he indicates. “However, for me, the greatest satisfaction comes from the exceptional job the guards do on the beach. This year the character of the beach patrol has been tested earlier than most seasons and I am proud to be a part of such a fine group of young men and women.
“Whether it is volunteering for our mascot school, the junior lifeguard program, the Women in Lifeguarding Symposium, Shooting Stars [a basketball program for disabled children], Heart of Surfing for Kids with Autism, or the compassion for their peers during times of need, I am proud of all they do. “
Steele adds that he likes to think the culture of the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol has helped nourish this fine character. There is a quote on his office wall that sums up what he believes lifeguarding in Sea Isle City is all about.
“These are not my words and I do not know who wrote them,” he said of the phrase that reads: “What made them unique? Well, they all threw themselves into the interests of the rest, believed in one another, and pushed one another on a daily basis to be the best lifeguards they could be.”
Danny Rogers fights off a tough surf for a second-place finish in the Cape May County Lifeguard Championships.
Andrew Taylor, shown here winning the Cape May County Lifeguard Championships, also finished first in the Beschen-Callahans.
Upper Township
Upper Township sports both a philanthropic and athletic early-season accomplishment.
On the performance side, Ryan Manning produced a Beschen-Callahan victory for the patrol in the male can run.
Grace Steele, Grace Malcarney, Emily Culmone, and Lindsay Robbins produced a second-place finish in the female surf dash.
Earlier in the opening week, Lorna Connell and Kailey Grimley secured a doubles triumph in the Longport Women’s Invitational.
From a philanthropic standpoint, Upper Township hosted the 32nd annual Bay Race, which donates proceeds to help fund the fight against MS. It took place July 22.
Founded by captain Bill Handley, it has contributed roughly $150,000 to the cause over the years. As the event expands into areas like paddleboarding, it has increased participation and fundraising results.
The patrol raised a record $6,175 last year.
“This has been gratifying because the Bay Race has been well-received by the community,” Handley says. “It grows every year and is helped by the popularity of stand-up paddling. I am very happy about how the community gets behind this race and helps us in the fight for a cure against MS. I am also grateful to the neighboring patrols who compete in this and help raise money for it as well.”
