Lifeguard Competition Another Step Back For Ortley Beach

In another sign of its continuing efforts to come back from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, Ortley Beach held its first lifeguard tournament since the storm recently.

Lifeguard tournaments are a staple of the summer at the Jersey Shore, with teams from all along the coast competing at various towns during the summer, demonstrating the skills they use to rescue swimmers in times of emergency.

The 2015 Ortley Beach “Bush Classic” Lifeguard Tournament, named for former longtime Toms River Lifeguard Supervisor Peter Bush, featured eight teams competing in six events, including the open swim, surf medley, open swim, paddle relay and boat relay and 1,000 meter row.

“It was great to get back out there again and be on our home turf for this tournament,” Ortley Beach Lifeguard Sgt. Kevin Koenigstein said in a news release. “We have been waiting since Sandy to be able to host this again on our beaches. The event was an all-around success, from the weather to the competition to the crowds.”

Harvey Cedars placed 1st overall followed by Barnegat Light, and Ship Bottom. Ortley Beach lifeguards took fourth place overall and first place in the Boat Swim event. The team captured first place in Seaside Park’s lifeguard tournament earlier this summer.

“It was great to have this tournament return to Ortley Beach. The enthusiasm from the crowd was great, the competition was intense,” Councilman Al Manforti said in a news release.

Ortley Beach lifeguards will be participating in the Island Beach State Park competition on Monday, Aug. 10.

For more photos of the event, please visit the township’s photo gallery at www.tomsrivertownship.com.