Calling All Former Avalon Lifeguards
The Avalon Beach Patrol has a proud tradition of protecting the borough’s beaches for more than a century. It is now asking for everyone’s assistance as the ABP and the Avalon Beach Patrol Alumni Association begin to assemble an all-time roster of guards.
The task of gathering names and contact information for potentially thousands of ex-guards is a nearly impossible task.
“We know that there are still many ABP alums visiting the Seven Mile Beach and even Cape May County, so we’re optimistic,” said Monica O’Donoghue, a former Avalon guard and current president of the alumni association. “So, we’d like to hear from any and all ex-guards. We’re also hoping that some family members of guards may reach out and contact us as well.”
A special email address has been established so that former guards, their family, and friends can reach out: Alumni.ABP@gmail.com. Former guards are also invited to drop off their contact information during the season at the 32nd Street beach house.
Plans are in the works for a quarterly newsletter and potentially a golf outing and dinner. This summer saw a record crowd attending the David J. Kerr Memorial Lifeguard Races along with an unprecedented number of alumni in attendance. It is hoped that both those attendance numbers will continue to grow in future years now that the Kerrs are expected to consistently be conducted on a Friday night in July.
“We’re always happy to welcome back our former guards,” said ABP Chief Matt Wolf. “We have a great tradition here and that is a result of the lifeguards that have been a part of our patrol for more than 100 years.”
Calling All Guards: Send your contact information to Alumni.ABP@gmail.com