2026 South Jersey Lifeguard Championships Delivered a Stunning Finish

For many people of a certain age, the popularity of being a lifeguard came from the polarizing TV show Baywatch that ran from 1989 to 2003. But the reality is that the legend of Lifeguarding started in New Jersey.

Beach Watches first began in the late 1800s at New Jersey Beach towns, but the legend of Lifeguarding started in 1919 with the South Jersey Lifeguard Championships. For over 100 years, all of the beach patrols from Brigantine to Cape May have been competing in Doubles Rowing competitions. Racing supremacy with the best athletes in the region competing for the title of best lifeguard patrol in South Jersey.

After winning the South Jersey Lifeguard Championships in back-to-back years, the Avalon Beach Patrol is hosting the 107th edition of the South Jersey Lifeguard Championships.

Choppy surf conditions delayed the start of the Doubles Row, setting the stage for an unpredictable night of racing, forcing the lifeguard patrols to make some unexpected adjustments

At the halfway point of the race, Upper Township BP had a marginal lead with seven other boats almost neck-and-neck with each other heading down the homestretch.  Atlantic City charged from third place into the lead in the final tenth of a mile after Upper Township's doubles team made a technical error that cost them the win.

That win put Atlantic City in pole position for what would be a competitive night of racing. The Doubles Row official finish was AC Beach Patrol followed by Upper Township BP, and Cape May Beach Patrol.

At the halfway point of the singles swim, Upper Township, ACBP, and Avalon were almost even heading into the second half of the race. Tim Hanaway from Avalon charged out of the water for a come-from-behind win. Logan Manning from Upper Township BP came in second place, followed by Charler Shriener from ACBP.

Heading into the final race, there was a tie in points between Atlantic City Beach Patrol and Avalon BP. The ocean was calmer for the start of the Singles Row compared to an hour earlier for the Doubles Row.

At the turnback marker of the Singles Row, seven of the eight boats were tight with each other for what looked like a close finish. Brigantine, Avalon, Longport, and Atlantic City were neck-and-neck for the final quarter mile of the race.

Brigantine Beach Patrol caught a strong wave to help launch them into the lead, and Joe Savell surged past Avalon BP, and edging Sea Isle City to the finish line. But minutes after the race finished, officials announced a video review, and found that Brigantine was disqualified for an error at the turn at the flag, which means it eliminated them from contention for the championship, not just the single row.

Retallying the points after race officials used video review, Vince Granese won the Singles Row, and that means Atlantic City Beach Patrol won the 2026 South Jersey Lifeguard Championships.  The last time ACBP had an outright win of the SJ Lifeguard Championships was 1998.

Official Final Team Results for 107th South Jersey Lifeguard Championships

*Tied for 5th Place: Longport and Sea Isle City
*Fourth Place: Cape May (3 Points)
*Third Place: Upper Township (8 Points)
*Second Place: Avalon (10 Points)
*First Place: Atlantic City (13 points)