Ocean City’s doubles crew of Matt Garbutt and Paul Boardman hit the surf. (Photo courtesy of Dale Braun)
By LESLEY GRAHAM
The Ocean City Beach Patrol participated in Friday evening’s Margate Memorials, where Longport Beach Patrol took the team title for the second year in a row, followed by host Margate and Brigantine in a tie for second.
Margate wound up with the second-place team finish, as the tiebreaker for South Jersey races is the placement in the doubles event. Ocean City scored just one point.
The U.S. World War II Margate Memorials are in their 74th year and are considered the second of the “big three” lifeguard events, alongside the Dutch Hoffman Memorials and the South Jersey Lifeguard Championships.
Margate Memorials are the first event of the summer to host only three races – doubles row, swim and singles row. It replicates the format of the South Jersey Lifeguard Championships, so some consider it a tune-up for that race, which is next Friday in Longport.
On Friday, the ocean was flat and calm, which allowed for an even playing field for the patrols without as much concern for wave catching in the rowing races and choppy waters in the swim.
The conditions played into the strength of Longport swimmer Joey Tepper, who won the swim for the second straight year.
Ocean City’s Frankie Brady placed fifth in the swim, giving Ocean City its only point for the evening.
Ocean City’s doubles crew of Matt Garbutt and Paul Boardman hit the surf. (Photo courtesy of Dale Braun)
Ocean City’s doubles crew of Matt Garbutt and Paul Boardman had an off night in what has otherwise been a strong racing season so far this summer. They struggled to find a rhythm and placed outside of the top 5. Margate’s doubles crew of Chuck Gowdy and Chris Graves won the doubles.
Brigantine’s Ron DeFelice won the singles row. Kevin Perry, representing OCBP in the singles row, was disqualified for turning the flag the wrong direction.
Ocean City Beach Patrol Chief of Operations Mark Jamieson, although disappointed by the overall finish, was not concerned with the patrol’s ability to bounce back.
“The conditions were favorable for everybody, and it just wasn’t our best day finish- wise,” Jamieson said after the races. “But we have the chance to smooth things out and think about some different strategies.”
“Next week is about pulling the loose ends together and having a good showing when it counts most,” Jamieson continued, referring to the South Jersey Lifeguard Championships.
Ocean City will look to regroup for the South Jersey Lifeguard Championships, Friday Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m. at the 33rd Avenue Beach in Longport.
Ocean City's Kevin Perry gets started in the singles row. (Photo courtesy of Anne Copeland Merrill)
