Over 300 Take on Belmar Ocean Swim

Thanks to the tranquil waters of the Atlantic, close to 300 swimmers didn’t even break a sweat during the third annual Belmar Ocean Mile held at the 10^th Avenue beach in Belmar Aug. 13.

According to Andreas Roestenberg, owner of the New Jersey Race Club (NJRC), Asbury Park, “We are the only ocean mile series on the Jersey Shore, and the first ocean mile swim to host an apex course where swimmers enter and finish at the same location, which makes our swim very spectator-friendly.”

The club’s Triple Crown Race Series consists of ocean mile swims in Asbury Park, Sea Bright and Belmar, and “It was begun by NJRC to promote the sport of open water swimming in New Jersey, and helps benefit its swim team and the Asbury Park Boys and Girls Club, where the NJRC has trained the past three years,” noted Roestenberg.

Team NJRC is a youth-run competitive year-round U.S Swimming-registered team.  The NJRC program focuses on training novices all the way to the highest level in national swimming, and is building a new home base for the team in Tinton Falls.

The Belmar course was a triangle course to buoys in the ocean with no big shore break and no big current – not even any dolphins which were spotted in the Atlantic the day before.  Swimmers were comprised of men, women and children, and competitive swimmers were allowed to begin with an earlier start time than the rest of the pack.

Obviously in the earlier start time was Will Stange, 15, of Princeton, a member of the Princeton Piranhas, and N.J. Zones Team, who took first place overall.

“This is my fourth ocean mile.  They’re fun – I have fun with them.  It was good for the most part.  Everybody likes it without waves – there were a little bit of waves, but that’s what makes it fun.  It’s fun to come and race at the ocean – it’s different from a pool,” he stated.  “It’s great that I’m helping out the Boys and Girls Clubs,” he continued, noting he was contemplating doing the Long Branch Ocean Mile.

A seasoned ocean swimmer of 20 years, Dr. Mike Barrows, 38, Shrewsbury – the overall male Triple Crown winner – trains with NJRC, and also lifeguards at Sea Girt.

“It was nice conditions today, the water was relatively flat.  Given my years of experience, I would prefer a bit choppy with surf and current – it gives me an added advantage.  I’ve been racing over 20 years, so these other young guys don’t have all the years of ocean experience,” he stated.  “Being involved and giving back to the Boys and Girls Clubs’ kids is an added bonus.  I’m a pediatrician at Monmouth Medical Center, so giving back to kids is great,” he said, noting a lot of his patients who suffer from childhood obesity are now involved in Junior Lifeguard programs.

Julia Delnero, 17, Spring Lake Heights, a swimmer with the NJRC four years, was the overall female Triple Crown winner, and said, “It was a good race.  I’ve been doing it since I was 10.  The ocean was really warm and calm, so it was nice to swim in.  I’m going to do more triathlons, but no more ocean swims this year.”

Also swimming with the NJRC, and the female first-place winner for her age group was Casey Lawson, 13, Spring Lake, who has done 10 ocean swims and been with the NJRC since 2009.

“This is my second one this year.  The ocean was very clean, but coming back it was a bit choppy,” and added, “It feels good knowing I’m helping out the Boys and Girls Clubs.”

Michele Ryan, New York City, came out for the exercise aspect – but also the satisfaction of helping the Boys and Girls Clubs, and stated, “I did the Seaside one last weekend, that was cool.  I just want to finish.  I’m doing it just to have a swim, but it’s a good thing for the Boys and Girls Club.”

Race Director Pete Nagle, Little Silver, commented, “It is our practice to contribute something to some cause.  NJRC contributes money, services and even swimming equipment on a regular basis, and one reason we can do this is from revenue from these swims.”

A few swimmers were new to ocean swimming, as was Lisa Majchrzak, 17, South Brunswick.

“It’s the first I’ve ever done – I liked it.  I was kind of cruising it – it’s fun.  I love the ocean.  It was not rough,” and continued, “I just signed up.  It was an impulse thing – but a good impulse.”

The race drew competitors from near and far, such as Mike Teters, Plainfield, who was competing in his fifth ocean swim for the summer, and said, “I get obsessed with this.  It’s the first competition I’ve done since high school.  The charity thing’s an added benefit, but I do it to compete and to exercise.”

Traveling from Ridgewood to swim was Richard Chaffiotte, who competed in 2010.

“It’s a great race, beautiful day, the water was warm.  I did the Manasquan one, and the water was freezing.  It’s a perfect day for doing this race – the currents were good.  I came in number 94, and I’m 56, so I don’t know how I did in my age group – I do it for the challenge.”

There was a great sense of community spirit in the air, as the swimmers cheered on fellow swimmers.  Rooting for her son, but not swimming, was Nancy Wheeler, Howell, who noted, “My son’s swimming – he’s done it before as part of NJURC.  He likes to compete, and has been with NJRC three years.”

Swimmers ranged in age from 11 to 81.  Rob Whitacre, 15, Oceanport, stated, “It’s my second swim.  It was good – nice warm water.  I did it for fun – a bunch of my friends do it,” and noted he was doing the Long Branch ocean swim also.

“It’s exhilarating” was how Amelia Kramer, 81, Applewood Estates, Freehold, described her swim, and continued, “The only part I’m exhausted about is my legs, and it was chilly.  It seemed the buoys were being moved away from me every time I approached them, but I finished!”

Following the event, swimmers retreated to the boardwalk for bagels, water, rest and the awards ceremony.  Prizes donated by local merchants were awarded to overall male and female winners in several age groups.

Nagle noted, “I was pleased with the turnout; a great turnout, a great day for the swimmers.  Our main goal is to promote open-water swimming for all ages – the fun and enthusiasm of swimmers from 10 to 80s, of all ability levels, enjoying an open-water swim in the great lifelong activity that swimming represents.  The main thing is to promote open water swimming for all ages and if we can give a little back that is a bonus.”