Lifeguard instructions on the OG beach. July 22, 2020. By Jean Bredin. Blogfinger.net. Click to enlarge.
Jean Bredin, Blogfinger staff: “Several years ago my husband Jack was pulled out in a rip tide. He was going down for the third time when a lifeguard (John) appeared before him, pushing his board for Jack to hang onto.
“You got caught in a rip tide” were his words.
“To this day, we will be forever grateful for the life guards”
This Blogfinger image is from the 2013 Lifeguard Tournament. Paul Goldfinger photograph
This was originally posted in June, 2015 on BF. But each year we pay attention to girls in their summer clothes. It is a tradition for our seashore community and for Blogfinger.net.
The June day in 2015 (below) started out rainy and chilly, but later in the day it became Sunny and Cher; it warmed up a bit, but it was still windy.
I went on the boardwalk and saw lifeguards at their stations. A green flag was flying along with “Old Glory.” But no one was swimming. In fact no one was in the water.
I walked up to one of the lifeguard stands and joked with the guards who stayed at their post, like soldiers guarding a “no-man’s land.” An older guard, “Cowboy Dave” was sitting in the rescue boat, 10 gallon hat on and blue sunglasses, but he was facing the water. He is either the first or the last in the lifeboat. He said that he is from OG and that this is his 16th summer as a lifeguard. He reminds me of Robert Duvall smelling napalm in the morning. (Apocalypse Now)
I asked him if he saw any bathing beauties go by, because all that was out there was the surf. He pointed to some young ladies about 100 yards away who were the only ones on the beach, to the north. Clearly this was not a “no-woman’s land.”
They wore some pretty small bathing suits, so it seemed like a good public interest news photo- op for Blogfinger.
When I walked to their location, it seemed like I should ask them why they are in Ocean Grove on such a bleak day. I was thinking that they looked like they should be in Asbury Park. I did not comment on their attire, but you can’t help but notice that this is much different than 1880.
As it turns out, they are coeds who are camping at Allaire State Park where they are renting a yurt. They were having a great time just being together and laughing and talking and telling yurt jokes. They said that they preferred Ocean Grove’s beach to any others. One of them had come to OG as a child.
They especially singled out Days Ice Cream and the summer tents as favorite spots. I only had one BF card which I gave them to photograph and share.
I said goodbye and walked back to the lifeguards offering to sell them the names of the young ladies. They seemed interested, but ultimately I suggested that they get the names themselves.
So who says that we live in Ocean Grave? It’s time to bury that nickname.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, DARLENE LOVE AND THE E STREET BAND. “A Fine Fine Boy” recorded at the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebration.
Teams from the surrounding shore communities competed in this annual event. There were about 100 participants from 11 lifeguard squads. The Ocean Grove team had 10 members for this competition, including two women. A large crowd was present to witness the exciting contest. Spring Lake was the winner, with Sea Girt and Long Branch being tied for second. Allenhurst came in third. Ocean Grove was eighth, but it won the Blogfinger Cup for best in show (i.e. best looking.)
They really should have a swimsuit competition also so that the audience can know what’s going on during at least one event. I did spot one thong bathing suit, and it was on a guy from another team–not OG. (I have the photo to prove it, but that picture leaves me cold.) The light was good, so here is the Blogfinger Annual Lifeguard Photo Gallery.
Waiting for the event to begin. These two ran by while I was photographing a kayak. All photos by Paul Goldfinger. click to enlarge
OG teammates await their event.
At the finish line.
XX XY event.
Surfboard race. Long Branch is green.
This race is over for these Grover guards, but the melody lingers on—Bay Watch for women.
