Smilestones
New guarded location at the kayak beach.
AVALON BEACH PATROL GOES ON BAYWATCH
You might have noticed that there’s a new guarded “beach” this summer in Avalon. And it happens to be the first guarded location that’s not on a beach in about 30 years. The Avalon Beach Patrol now has a guard positioned on the bay at 57th Street, the kayak beach.
“The need has continued to grow every year,” Beach Patrol Chief Matt Wolf said. “We’ve discussed it in the past. This year, we have enough guards and Borough Council has approved the extension, so we’re happy to help.”
The “beach” is actually simply a launching area for kayaks and is not intended for bathing. “We’re there in the event that a kayaker requires assistance,” Wolf says. Such an event already has happened several times this summer. Thankfully, the guard was on hand to lend assistance.
In the late 1960s and early ’70s when guards were more plentiful, the ABP guarded the 23rd Street public dock and a small beach that was located next to the bridge on 30th Street at Ocean Drive. In recent years, it’s become more difficult to keep all beaches covered, so it’s been three decades since any area was covered beyond the beaches.
Now, with a full complement of guards in-season, the beach patrol is able to cover this heavily utilized recreation area and dramatically reduce the response time in the event of an emergency.
LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGHT!
CAMERON JUDE MANNEY
Cameron Jude Manney was born May 7 at Pennsylvania Hospital to Ryan and Caitlin Manney of Philadelphia. At birth, he weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces, and measured 21½ inches long. Cameron’s grandparents include Jim and Kathy Manney of Florida, Dese Cirelli of California, and Rosemary Halter of New Jersey. Cameron’s great-grandparents are Emiddio Cirelli of Florida and Katherine Halter of New Jersey. Ryan and Caitlin have made many memories in Stone Harbor and Avalon and it is the place that brings their family and friends together. They are very excited to watch Cameron spend his first summer on the island.
YCSH’S WEEDERS PLACE THIRD IN YACHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Kristian and Kristen Weeder had an eventful weekend July 12-15, when they represented the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor at the Flying Scot 2021 North American Championship (NAC) in Westport, Conn.
Aboard the Seaweeder, Kris was the skipper and Kristen the co-skipper as they placed third among 22 yachts in the challenger division to earn the Terry Schroeder Trophy. That result also earned them the Nancy Roman Trophy for the highest finisher with a woman on board as either crew or skipper. The Weeders finished first in the third race of the four-race competition.
The Flying Scot NAC attracts fleets from Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. And even nicer … all the folks associated with the NAC had nothing but great things to say about the Weeders.
SOTIRE WINS 6 SWIMMING GOLD MEDALS
Bonnie Sotire, a South Carolina native who has been summering in Avalon since 1988, won gold medals in all six events she entered at the South Carolina Senior Sports Classic on May 21.
Sotire won the 50-, 100-, 200- and 500-yard freestyle as well as the 50- and 100-yard breaststroke. With her victories, she qualified for the National Senior Games scheduled for May 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. During the summer, Sotire enjoys swimming in the back bays of Avalon with her friends and participating in local triathlons.
More than 50 youngsters competed in the Phillies Home Run Derby.
STONE HARBOR WINNERS IN PHILLIES HR DERBY
The Phillies Home Run Derby was back in Stone Harbor on July 4 for its 50th year. Boys and girls from the ages of 7-12 lined up at the 82nd Street Ball Field to swing for the fences.
The derby consists of three rounds: local, regional, and the championship round held at Citizens Bank Park. This year’s winners of the local round in Stone Harbor in their age groups were Ava Tierney, Audrey Hartman, Isabella Craig, Griffin Beach, Ben Cheek and Logan Hyndman.
When it originated, the competition included just six local derbies, including Stone Harbor’s. With the growth in popularity came more local competitions. The Phillies Home Run Derby is now up to 51 local competitions involving more than 22,000 young sluggers.
Winners of the 2021 W. Norman Mackey Memorial Clamshell Pitching Competition.
CLAMSHELL PITCHING TRADITION LIVES ON
The Avalon Historical Society helped continue a summer tradition into its ninth decade in July when it conducted the W. Norman Mackey Memorial Clamshell Pitching Competition on the beach at 30th Street. Shell pitching competitions were introduced in Avalon in the 1940s at the Puritan Hotel. The Historical Society keeps the tradition alive with an annual singles and doubles competition on the beach.
