Women’s Lifeguard Conference Draws A Crowd
Posted July 29th 2024

The Sea Isle City Beach Patrol hosted 64 female guards at the annual South Jersey Women’s Lifeguard Conference on June 26. Sixteen beach patrols along the Jersey Shore attended the conference, including several guards from the Avalon Beach Patrol. The organizer of the conference, Bridget O’Hanlon, is a nine-year veteran of the SICBP. Along with a planning committee of 15 Sea Isle lifeguards, O’Hanlon arranged for the attending guards to participate in an open discussion, fitness session, and presentations from Sea Isle Beach Patrol alumnae Colleen McIntyre Osborne and Joanne Lombard Palombo. Avalon Beach Patrol Lieutenant Danielle Smith attended the conference with the other Avalon guards. Smith, who has attended every conference since they began in 2011, likes seeing the guards come together and form relationships. “I have been a lifeguard for 11 years, and have been competing for nine of those 11 years,” she said, referring to the lifeguard racing circuit. “During those competitions, I never knew any of the guards I was competing against. The conferences have helped because they have allowed us to meet the other amazing female lifeguards.” As for the rise in the number of women beach patrol members, Smith said: “It is absolutely amazing. There has been so much growth for women in leadership and women in racing. I am the first and only female lieutenant in Avalon Beach Patrol history, and it is so cool to meet other girls just like me. They are rising in the ranks, which is important.” Smith also highlighted the support she has received from ABP Chief Matt Wolf to pursue events like the South Jersey Women’s Lifeguard Conference: “Our chief is really supportive, he has been amazing. Since he has taken over, he has been behind me 100% of the way.” The Sea Isle City Beach Patrol is already looking forward to hosting the 2025 event, which has a tentative date of July 1.
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