The Long Beach Township Beach Patrol (LBTBP) was created in 1936 to provide safety for the patrons of the beaches and oceans in Long Beach Township, New Jersey. The LBTBP is well equipped and trained to handle many unique situations that may arise on their twelve miles of guarded beach. Each summer, qualified lifeguards and other beach patrol workers serve and protect the public and beach environment to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.^[1]

Organization

The Long Beach Township Beach Patrol is made up of serval groups, each with their own job and responsibility. Lifeguards are typically stationed every three to five beaches and are the faces of the patrols. There are also guards who patrol on vehicles so they can respond to danger quickly. Next are those who work in the offices and run the day to day operations of the LBTBP. These men and women are quick to answer the phone and help where they can. Lastly, the Beach Badge Checkers are an important part of keeping the patrol functioning each year. Their duty is to walk the beach and ensure that patrons have bought a badge to be on the beach. Each summer, the LBTBP hires over a hundred people, typically age 14 to 16 to do this job. The six towns that the patrol serves from north to south are Loveladies, North Beach, Brant Beach, Beach Haven Crest, Spray Beach, and Holgate. ^[2]

The following beaches are guarded in each town:

• Loveladies: Tract 153 (Dolphin), Tract 141 (Seaview), Coast Ave, Tract 99 (Harbor North), Tract 85, and Tract 53 (Harbor South).
• North Beach: Tract 1119 (Green), Tract 1087 (Flamingo), Tract 1065 (Pump House), Tract 1049, Tract 1023, Tract 1005
• Brant Beach: 32nd Street, 36th Street, 40th Street, 44th Street, 48th Street, 52nd Street, 55th Street, 58th Street, 62nd Street, 65th Street, and 68th Street.
• Beach Haven Crest: 70th Street, 75th Street, 78th Street, 82nd Street, 86th Street, 91st Street, 96th Street, 100th Street, 104th Street, 110th Street, and 114th Street.
• Spray Beach: Colorado Ave (118th), Ramp Ave (122nd), Dune Ave (127th), Pennsylvania Ave (131st), 33rd Street, 29th Street, 25th Street, 21st Street, 17th Street, and 14th Street.

• Holgate: Osborne Ave, Marshall Ave, Susan Ave, Rosemma Ave, Scott Dr, Chatham Ave, Jacqueline Ave, Harding Ave, and Washington Ave.^[3]

Culture

Every summer, the patrol holds various competitions and events for their lifeguards. One of these is the LBTBP Cup, which tests the strength, agility, and life-saving skills of the guards. They must compete in vigorous line pull, boating, and paddle-boarding events, all designed to emulate real world situations they may encounter. ^[4] Other events such as the 2 mile run and 1/2 mile paddle races, provide opportunities for guards to work on their skills and create lasting friendships.

The LBTBP is very involved in its community and many of the guards and badge checkers have grown close with the people they serve over the years. As a result, some beaches have been given affectionate names that are used by guards and patrons alike. An example of this is in Brant Beach, where 58th street is known as Tony’s Beach by its regulars.

To honor the country and its illustrious history, most of the beaches in the township (guarded and unguarded) have American flags on their entrances.

LBTBP Programs

The Long Beach Township Beach Patrol has many programs that bolster the patrol and its future.

Lifeguard in Training (LIT)

The Lifeguard in Training program, which was created in 1988, allows adolescents (age 10 - 15) to learn the various skill involved in lifeguarding. On duty lifeguards teach them the intricacies of lifesaving techniques and procedures as well as ocean and beach safety. This program greatly increases the chances of the participants become LBT lifeguards in the future.^[5]

PWC/IRB

The Personal Water Craft (PWC) and Inflatable Boat Rescue (IRB) programs both specifically deal with water safety. People who join these programs usually have boating experience and learn how to transport victims. who have been rescued from various conditions, from water to land.^[6]

InterExchange Program

In the past few years, the LBTBP lifeguards and Australian lifeguards have taken part in a program that sends American guards to Australia during our winter (their summer) and sends Australian guards to LBT in our summer. This program expands and spreads culture from various regions and allows for competition and diversity among participants. In addition to Australia, the program also extends to Poland. ^[7]

References

For neighboring states see also the following categories: New York (state), Delaware and Pennsylvania.

New Jersey is a state in the United States. Media related to New Jersey at Wikimedia Commons