History and Factual
Information of the
Monmouth County (NJ) Chapter of the USLA
By: Bob Dillon, Co-founder and Past President
The Monmouth County Chapter
is an integral part of the USLA “Mid-Atlantic Region”, and has
the largest membership of this region. The Chapter fields a
recognized competition team to the USLA National Lifeguard
Championships every August, and by record, is the strongest
competition team on the east coast, placing second many times to
the west coast’s LA County’s team. In 1983, the chapter team did
win the National Championships, held in Long Beach, NY.
The history of Monmouth County
is rich and reflects the integral part it played in our
Revolutionary War. The area was important for the coastal
military defense of New York harbor up until 1973 and includes
landmarks of the USLS (United States Lifesaving Service),
instituted to rescue shipwrecked sailors and passengers off New
Jersey’s coast. The history of the coastal fishing industry
during the 1800’s and early 1900’s includes a type of surfboat
called the “Sea Bright Skiff”, which was constructed here and
used daily to bring in the catch from “off the beach”. The
configuration of this boat served as the model for the beach
patrol rescue boats of New Jersey’s beaches, and remains the
basic hull configuration of the ever present and well known
“Asay Surfboats” of today. These boats, made of both wood and
fiberglass, serve both as utility rescue boats by the beach
patrols in Monmouth County, and as the surfboat of choice for
all lifeguard rowing competitors, whether it be local
tournaments or USLA Regional or National Championships. The boat
has also been adopted by other chapter teams throughout the US
due to it’s self-bailing aspect, which is an evolved
modification of the basic “skiff” design. The builder, Bob Asay,
is a chapter member and competitor, and has been constructing
and improving his surfboats in Asbury Park, Monmouth County,
since his first wooden boat was built there in 1980.
The
USLA National Certification Program was modeled after the
NJ/USLA certification program, developed in Monmouth County. The
certification is mandated in NJ for all beaches and all beach
lifeguards. This was first introduced and developed by chapter
member, Dave Shotwell of Ocean Grove in 1989, and was a fully
functional program in NJ when the USLA National Board of
Directors enacted a directive for a USLA “national
certification” program. All beach patrols in NJ must be
certified, but may also opt to also apply for the national USLA
certification. The national USLA became such in 1979, before
which it was called the “National Surf Lifesaving
Association”, first established 1965 in California. The
one mainly responsible for this change in name and concept was
the late Sheridan Byerly of Los Angeles County. In March of
1979, he visited the East Coast and made a stop in Monmouth
County. An informational session was set up in the Physical
Education Office of Monmouth College (now MU) by the late Dick
Steadman, swimming and diving coach of MC. In attendance were
Dick, Bob Dillon, Greg Farry, and a few other interested parties
to hear about this “national” lifeguard organization. In fact,
the USLA was not yet national, for the only affiliations then
were in California. This informational meeting was an attempt to
stimulate interest here on the East coast. It was thought that a
chapter here would be a good forum not only for beach
supervisors, but also for the rank and file beach lifeguard to
affiliate in order to improve their professionalism and to
augment the rescue response of the beach patrols through new
communication linkages of beach patrols throughout the US. Other
benefits of belonging to a national organization, where the
motto “Lifeguards for Life” was self evident. Membership
materials, public education materials, competition opportunities
were all inherent in this new venture. Thus, the Monmouth County
Chapter of the USLA was “born” as a practical concept and entity
in this year, 1979. Meetings were subsequently held at Monmouth
College with the chapter becoming a known functional entity
among the beach patrols of Monmouth County. With names of NY
contacts given to Bob Dillon by Sheridan, calls were made to
others like Tom Daly of Long Beach, NY, who was starting a Long
Beach, NY Chapter. Meetings were held at both Monmouth College
and in Long Beach, NY, and so began the foundation and formation
of the “MA Region”. The history and beginning of the
“Mid-Atlantic Region” is now tied directly to the history of the
Monmouth County Chapter.
The
USLA was now something new in the area, and membership
was inviting and something novel. Bob and Dick were spreading
the word and soliciting membership on the various beaches. Greg
Farry was asked to be first treasurer. What was facilitative to
entice membership was the fact that Coppertone was then the
national sponsor, and upon request, a multitude of boxes of
various Coppertone products began arriving in Monmouth County.
Bob’s garage was the distribution center where much packing of
membership kits took place. The chapter was now established with
the by-laws modeled after the national association, and the dues
were $20.00. This covered both the regional and national dues.
There was also a magazine that came with the membership four
times a year, printed then in California, and called “US
Lifesaving”. (now called “American Lifeguard”).
After the first year, an Ocean County Chapter was initiated by
Jim Cresbaugh, of the Lavallette BP. He attended meetings of the
Monmouth County Chapter and then spun off another chapter with
blessings from the MC Chapter. Two chapters in two adjacent
counties enabled competition possibilities between the two
chapters. Thus, on two occasions “The Monmouth vs. Ocean County
All Star Lifeguard Tournament” took place, once on Manasquan
Beach in 1982, and again in 1983 in Bradley Beach. The events
were organized by Bob Dillon and on both occasions, a visiting
competition team from Australia participated unofficially.
Festivities after the competition took place at the old “Rescue
Tavern” of Belmar, then owned by Tim Gallagher. (The Rescue is
now called “The Boathouse” and owned by brothers Tim and Matt
Harmon of the SG BP). The mixing of the Aussi and local
lifeguard competitors enabled some pleasant exchanges and
comparative competition discussions, as well as exposure to
another lifeguard culture including other rescue techniques.
There have been other visits by both Australian competitors,
officials and coaches to Monmouth County. The chapter, now
having recognition in the US and being prominent in the
Northeast, is contacted frequently to be the host for a visit.
The chapter has hosted many individuals from other parts of the
country and of the world.
Back
in 1980, this desire to both be recognized by the USLA
and to gain from participation in it’s functions initiated some
overtures from the chapter to the west coast. It was Greg Farry
who first went to a national meeting, the Spring meeting held in
San Clemente, CA . With $150.00 from the treasury (the rest out
of pocket), he went to see what a national meeting was all
about. It was there that the Executive Director of the USLA,
Byron Wear, invited the chapter to participate in the first
National Lifeguard Championships of the newly named “USLA”. This
was to be held in San Diego in August. Realizing the chapter did
not have much in the way of resources to field a team to
California, the effort was made to solicit interested
competitors. With only about $600.00 available in the treasury
at that time for expenses, the prospect of sending a “team” was
doubtful. However, a team of four competitors was formed and
captained by Art Poole of Sandy Hook. Accepting the fact that
the expense would mostly be out of pocket, they went, they
participated, they learned, and they helped establish our
presence at a national venue. Since that early beginning, the
chapter has fielded a team for every national lifeguard
championships, and has placed in the top four every time. We had
now become nationally ranked as one of the top four teams in the
nation. Competitors from the Monmouth County Chapter have also
become nationally ranked as individuals due to their respective
performances. Every USLA national team of twelve competitors
formed to compete in the “World International Championships”,
every two years, has included competitors from this chapter.
Monmouth County is now “on the map” in the US due to the
participation and the records of our competitors. Proclamations
from the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders have been bestowed
on the chapter twice due to the chapter team’s performances. The
competition aspect of the USLA has facilitated national
recognition, to not only the chapter, but also to Monmouth
County, NJ.
Regarding
administration of the USLA , the elected national
Executive Board has two long standing members from this Chapter:
Greg Farry as Treasurer and Dave Shotwell as Secretary. Tim
Gallagher has, for many years, both coached and managed the USLA
National team in the “Worlds”, as well as served as President of
the Mid-Atlantic Region for thirteen years (1990-2003). Tim was
also the editor/publisher of the “American Lifeguard” magazine
the membership publication of the USLA, for eight years
(1993-2000). Greg Farry was for a time, treasurer of all three
levels of the USLA: chapter, region and national. Greg, along
with Ed Kiziukiewicz, were bestowed “life members” in the USLA
by the national board of directors. Dave Shotwell still manages
the Certification Program in NJ. Locally, co-founder Bob Dillon
served as the chapters first president from it’s beginning in
1979 to 1984 when Charles Hartl took over from 1985 to 1988. Bob
resumed the presidency again in 1988 until December of 2003,
when newly elected Tim Harmon of the Sea Girt BP took office.
One can see that the Monmouth County Chapter has an impressive
history and legacy, and is a chapter that is held in high regard
within the USLA. From surfboats and national titles; from
certification to administrative positions and involvement, this
chapter is now well established with it’s membership and it’s
recognition. Hopefully it’s status will continue to improve as
it’s new officers lead forth with new ideas and an involved
membership. The Chapter’s history begins now, and should
continue with new accomplishments and further recognition, as
it’s members continue to be an integral part of the USLA.
Both past and future members
should realize that we have become a chapter, and should
continue being a chapter of “Lifeguards for Life”!
The
USLA National Certification Program was modeled after the
NJ/USLA certification program, developed in Monmouth County. The
certification is mandated in NJ for all beaches and all beach
lifeguards. This was first introduced and developed by chapter
member, Dave Shotwell of Ocean Grove in 1989, and was a fully
functional program in NJ when the USLA National Board of
Directors enacted a directive for a USLA “national
certification” program. All beach patrols in NJ must be
certified, but may also opt to also apply for the national USLA
certification. The national USLA became such in 1979, before
which it was called the “National Surf Lifesaving
Association”, first established 1965 in California. The
one mainly responsible for this change in name and concept was
the late Sheridan Byerly of Los Angeles County. In March of
1979, he visited the East Coast and made a stop in Monmouth
County. An informational session was set up in the Physical
Education Office of Monmouth College (now MU) by the late Dick
Steadman, swimming and diving coach of MC. In attendance were
Dick, Bob Dillon, Greg Farry, and a few other interested parties
to hear about this “national” lifeguard organization. In fact,
the USLA was not yet national, for the only affiliations then
were in California. This informational meeting was an attempt to
stimulate interest here on the East coast. It was thought that a
chapter here would be a good forum not only for beach
supervisors, but also for the rank and file beach lifeguard to
affiliate in order to improve their professionalism and to
augment the rescue response of the beach patrols through new
communication linkages of beach patrols throughout the US. Other
benefits of belonging to a national organization, where the
motto “Lifeguards for Life” was self evident. Membership
materials, public education materials, competition opportunities
were all inherent in this new venture. Thus, the Monmouth County
Chapter of the USLA was “born” as a practical concept and entity
in this year, 1979. Meetings were subsequently held at Monmouth
College with the chapter becoming a known functional entity
among the beach patrols of Monmouth County. With names of NY
contacts given to Bob Dillon by Sheridan, calls were made to
others like Tom Daly of Long Beach, NY, who was starting a Long
Beach, NY Chapter. Meetings were held at both Monmouth College
and in Long Beach, NY, and so began the foundation and formation
of the “MA Region”. The history and beginning of the
“Mid-Atlantic Region” is now tied directly to the history of the
Monmouth County Chapter.
The
USLA was now something new in the area, and membership
was inviting and something novel. Bob and Dick were spreading
the word and soliciting membership on the various beaches. Greg
Farry was asked to be first treasurer. What was facilitative to
entice membership was the fact that Coppertone was then the
national sponsor, and upon request, a multitude of boxes of
various Coppertone products began arriving in Monmouth County.
Bob’s garage was the distribution center where much packing of
membership kits took place. The chapter was now established with
the by-laws modeled after the national association, and the dues
were $20.00. This covered both the regional and national dues.
There was also a magazine that came with the membership four
times a year, printed then in California, and called “US
Lifesaving”. (now called “American Lifeguard”).
Back
in 1980, this desire to both be recognized by the USLA
and to gain from participation in it’s functions initiated some
overtures from the chapter to the west coast. It was Greg Farry
who first went to a national meeting, the Spring meeting held in
San Clemente, CA . With $150.00 from the treasury (the rest out
of pocket), he went to see what a national meeting was all
about. It was there that the Executive Director of the USLA,
Byron Wear, invited the chapter to participate in the first
National Lifeguard Championships of the newly named “USLA”. This
was to be held in San Diego in August. Realizing the chapter did
not have much in the way of resources to field a team to
California, the effort was made to solicit interested
competitors. With only about $600.00 available in the treasury
at that time for expenses, the prospect of sending a “team” was
doubtful. However, a team of four competitors was formed and
captained by Art Poole of Sandy Hook. Accepting the fact that
the expense would mostly be out of pocket, they went, they
participated, they learned, and they helped establish our
presence at a national venue. Since that early beginning, the
chapter has fielded a team for every national lifeguard
championships, and has placed in the top four every time. We had
now become nationally ranked as one of the top four teams in the
nation. Competitors from the Monmouth County Chapter have also
become nationally ranked as individuals due to their respective
performances. Every USLA national team of twelve competitors
formed to compete in the “World International Championships”,
every two years, has included competitors from this chapter.
Monmouth County is now “on the map” in the US due to the
participation and the records of our competitors. Proclamations
from the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders have been bestowed
on the chapter twice due to the chapter team’s performances. The
competition aspect of the USLA has facilitated national
recognition, to not only the chapter, but also to Monmouth
County, NJ.
Regarding
administration of the USLA , the elected national
Executive Board has two long standing members from this Chapter:
Greg Farry as Treasurer and Dave Shotwell as Secretary. Tim
Gallagher has, for many years, both coached and managed the USLA
National team in the “Worlds”, as well as served as President of
the Mid-Atlantic Region for thirteen years (1990-2003). Tim was
also the editor/publisher of the “American Lifeguard” magazine
the membership publication of the USLA, for eight years
(1993-2000). Greg Farry was for a time, treasurer of all three
levels of the USLA: chapter, region and national. Greg, along
with Ed Kiziukiewicz, were bestowed “life members” in the USLA
by the national board of directors. Dave Shotwell still manages
the Certification Program in NJ. Locally, co-founder Bob Dillon
served as the chapters first president from it’s beginning in
1979 to 1984 when Charles Hartl took over from 1985 to 1988. Bob
resumed the presidency again in 1988 until December of 2003,
when newly elected Tim Harmon of the Sea Girt BP took office.
One can see that the Monmouth County Chapter has an impressive
history and legacy, and is a chapter that is held in high regard
within the USLA. From surfboats and national titles; from
certification to administrative positions and involvement, this
chapter is now well established with it’s membership and it’s
recognition. Hopefully it’s status will continue to improve as
it’s new officers lead forth with new ideas and an involved
membership. The Chapter’s history begins now, and should
continue with new accomplishments and further recognition, as
it’s members continue to be an integral part of the USLA.