Long Beach Lifeguards Compete in 1,000-Meter Swim

It probably would have been difficult to imagine in 1933 when Wilson "Bud" Peck first noted that a group of lifeguards were needed on Long Beach Island, that the Township Beach Patrol would eventually grow to 150 strong.

Yet, on Saturday morning, all 150 Long Beach Township lifeguards were out on the beach to swim 1,000 meters, ensuring their "rescue readiness," and pay homage to Peck, whom the 1,000-meter swim is named after.

"Certainly Bud Peck is recognized as the father of the Long Beach Township Beach Patrol," said Don Myers, who heads the beach patrol and addressed the crowd of lifeguards before the swim.

Myers acknowledged Peck's daughter, Lisa Wilbraham, who attended the swim and donated trophies for the event. Myers said he was lucky to have known Peck and to have benefitted from his "sage advice" about the ocean and the island.

The swim, which started at 8:15 Saturday under overcast skies, stretched along the ocean near 65th Street in the Township. 

The overall winner of the competition, Nick Mathis, who finished in 14:43, said that "it couldn't have been a better day," to swim. Mathis is a Virginia Military Institute student who said he trains regularly at school.

Adrienne Bush, who placed first among the women at 16:54, is a Rowan University student who credited the Rowan swimming and diving coach, Toni Lisa with helping her succeed. Bush also trains two or three times a week at St. Francis.