Seven Mile Beach Patrols in the 1960s

This is the first summer that the Seven Mile Times has not had local lifeguard competition to write about, thanks of course to the COVID-19 pandemic. That being the case, we thought it might be fun to look back at some 1960s photographs of the Avalon and Stone Harbor beach patrols. Thanks to Harvey Knauer for access to his collection of Avalon photos. Thanks, too, to Fred Miller for access to his photos of the Stone Harbor Beach Patrol. Although Miller spent lots of time in Stone Harbor, today he is the historian for Ocean City. Be sure to check out his books that are available on Amazon.

The girls of Stone Harbor pose in an SHBP boat in 1960.

The 1960 Stone Harbor Beach Patrol

Avalon Beach Patrol’s 1960 winning surf relay team at the Stone Harbor boat and swim races: from left, Ed Sutter, Harvey Knauer, Lt. Ralph Simpson and Bill McKeaney.

1961 SHBP doubles rowing winners Fred Miller and Al Behrendt

The 1964 SHBP with Captain Fred Miller and lieutenants Steve Bosacco and Tom Gain.

The 1961 Avalon Beach Patrol poses at the 21st Street beach.

Bill Conroy won the 1964 SHBP half-mile swim.

SHBP 1963-64 captain Fred Miller

Dick Natoli won the 1964 SHBP singles rowing race.

The Stone Harbor Beach Patrol’s Ralph Jacobs and Rick Stewart celebrate their 1971 South Jersey doubles rowing championship.

SHBP’s Todd Orvald and Phil Rogers receive 1964 South Jersey championship trophies from Ocean City Mayor B. Thomas Waldman.

From left, Harvey Knauer, Dave Hillman and Bill Leahy prepare for the wreath at sea ceremony on Memorial Day weekend 1960.