Atlantic City Claims First South Jersey Lifeguard Championship Since 1998

ATLANTIC CITY - The Atlantic City Beach Patrol brought home the South Jersey Lifeguard Championships trophy for the first time in 28 years, claiming victory in a competition that came down to a video review in the final moments.

The 107th edition of the storied competition unfolded in Avalon, where beach patrols from Brigantine to Cape May competed across three grueling events: doubles rowing, singles swimming, and singles rowing, according to Press of Atlantic City.

What appeared to be a victory for Brigantine Beach Patrol turned into heartbreak when race officials called for a video review of the singles row. Joe Savell from Brigantine Beach Patrol had seemingly captured the race after catching a wave that propelled him past competitors from Avalon BP and Sea Isle City. However, the review revealed Brigantine had committed an error at the turn flag, a violation that disqualified them from championship contention entirely.

Once officials recalculated the standings, Vince Granese from ACBP was declared the singles row winner. That result pushed Atlantic City Beach Patrol to 13 points total—just enough to claim the championship.

The stakes couldn't have been higher heading into that final race. Atlantic City Beach Patrol and Avalon BP entered the singles row deadlocked on points, setting up a winner-take-all showdown.

Atlantic City had built crucial momentum earlier in the day when they won the doubles row. That victory came after Upper Township made a technical error in the final tenth of a mile, opening the door for ACBP to surge ahead.

Choppy surf conditions delayed the start of the doubles row, creating challenging circumstances for all competitors. At the halfway mark, Upper Township BP held a narrow advantage, with seven other boats clustered tightly behind as they powered toward the finish.

The singles swim showcased the individual talent across South Jersey's beach patrols. Tim Hanaway from Avalon won the event with a powerful finish, charging out of the water ahead of the field. Logan Manning from Upper Township BP claimed second place, while Charler Shriener from ACBP finished third.

The singles row proved to be the most competitive race of the day. Seven of the eight boats remained tightly bunched throughout, with Brigantine, Avalon, Longport, and ACBP battling neck-and-neck for the final quarter mile before the controversial finish.

Avalon BP hosted the championships after winning back-to-back titles in the previous two years. Ocean conditions had calmed considerably by the time the singles row began, offering smoother water than the choppy surf that had delayed the doubles row an hour earlier.

The competition traces its roots back to 1919 and has run for over 100 years, building on a tradition of beach watches that first started in the late 1800s at New Jersey beach towns. Atlantic City Beach Patrol's victory in 2026 adds another chapter to that rich history—and ends a championship drought that stretched back to 1998.