Many things have changed in Atlantic City since the gaming era began, but one time-honored summer activity remains: lifeguard racing. An area staple since 1924, the races this year will include 15 beach patrols from Brigantine to Cape May in competitions throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties. Some of the races determine a champion of one beach. Others decide bragging rights for the entire region.

For the patrols, lifeguard events help develop the kind of quick thinking, hefty muscle and mastery of the ocean required for their real job: rescue missions. The events create mini-competitions within the patrols. Hundreds of spectators line the beaches, cheering for friends, spouses and significant others.

“It’s a big party,” says Margate Beach Patrol Lieutenant Chris Graves, who helped his patrol claim the South Jersey championship last year. “It appeals to the casual spectator and the diehards who were here in the 1950s and 1960s. It’s a real cool tradition from one generation to the next.”

Atlantic City had the nation’s first beach patrol starting in the 1890s. Lifeguard events began in 1924 and have delivered some notable athletes including New Jersey Senator Jim Whelan, a former Atlantic City lifeguard who revived the Around-the-Island Swim by navigating Absecon Island. Current athletes include Margate’s Graves and teammates Greg Smallwood and Ashton Funk, who as the reigning titleholders will host the 2009 championships August 14.

Most lifeguard teams compete in singles and doubles rowing competitions sandwiched around a swimming sprint.

Brigantine Beach, however, which is moving its event to the ocean after 42 years in the bay, opens the campaign with a novel idea. Its Rescue Races borrow a page from Central Jersey beaches like Lavallette with at least four events including a swim relay with four members completing two out-and-back legs. A six-member boat relay requires three out-and-back trips, including turning a flag on the outbound trip and making the boat “exchange” on the beach, like a NASCAR pit stop. A paddleboard relay works on the same principle. The races will be more spectator-friendly than most because the athletes won’t disappear into the sunset.

“Most of your rescues are just outside the surf,” says Brigantine captain Kip Emig. “It’s a kind of showcase regarding the skills needed to get out of the rescue point and to bring a person in. Spectators will like it. You can watch the race easily; you don’t need binoculars. It gets more people involved and shows the depth of your beach patrol.

“In many of these lifeguard events, three or four stud guys can win you a championship. Now you will need 10 or 12 people to do that.”

Lifeguard races become more interesting depending on the weather.

“You’ve got to contend with the current, the wind and the waves,” Graves says. “You also have to be sharp about checking your course. You can get blown off pretty easily.”

True aficionados can find a race practically every weekend in July. Brigantine kicks off the unofficial campaign July 6. The “majors,” including the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, the Dutch Hoffman’s, Margate Memorials and South Jersey Champion-ships, take place on successive Fridays beginning July 24. Most races begin around 6:30 p.m., and they’re all free.

Lifeguard Races

Races take place on the beach unless otherwise noted

July 6 Brigantine Lifeguard Races, 6 p.m.
Ocean, Brigantine

July 7 Longport Women’s Lifeguard Invitational, 6:30 p.m.
33rd Street, Longport

July 10 Cape May County Lifeguard Championships, 6 p.m.
Rambler Rd., Wildwood Crest

July 10 Longport Memorial Lifeguard Races, 6:30 p.m.
33rd Street, Longport

July 11 Swim for the Dolphins, 6:30 p.m.
Rambler Road, Wildwood Crest

July 13 Superathalon, 6:30 p.m.
Grant Street, Cape May
July 17 Beschen-Callahan Memorial Lifeguard Races,
5:45 p.m. 15th Street, North Wildwood

July 18 John Carey Master’s Swim, 6 p.m.
34th Street, Ocean City

July 20 Upper Township 6 Mile Bay Row, 6 p.m.
Willard Road and the Bay, Strathmere

July 22 Ocean City Women’s Invitational, 6 p.m.
34th Street, Ocean City

July 24 Atlantic City Lifeguard Classic, 6:30 p.m.
Albany Avenue, Atlantic City

July 27 Tri-Resorts Championship, 6 p.m.
44th Street, Sea Isle City

July 31 Dutch Hoffman Memorial Lifeguard Championships, 6:30 p.m. Lincoln Avenue, Wildwood

August 7 Margate Memorial Lifeguard Races, 6:30 p.m.
Decatur Avenue, Margate

August 9 David James Kerr, Jr. Memorial Lifeguard Races,
6:15 p.m. 32nd Street, Avalon

August 12 Cape Atlantic Women’s Lifeguard Invitational, 6 p.m.
Suffolk Avenue, Ventnor

August 14 South Jersey Lifeguard Championships, 6:30 p.m.
Decatur Avenue, Margate

August 16 South Jersey Pool Competition, 6:30 p.m.
Rambler Rd., Wildwood Crest

August 21 John T. Goudy Memorial Races, 6:30 p.m.
Suffolk Avenue, Ventnor

August 22 Harry Yates Memorial Swim, 6:45 p.m.
Gardners Basin, Atlantic City

By Dave Bontempo

Dave Bontempo is an award-winning sports writer and broadcaster who calls boxing matches all over the world. He has covered the Philadelphia Flyers in the playoffs, as well as numerous PGA, LPGA and Seniors Golf Tour events, and co-hosted the Casino Connection television program with Publisher Roger Gros.