The Sea Isle City Beach Patrol hosted the 2024 South Jersey Women’s Lifeguard Conference.
The conference included 64 female lifeguards representing 16 lifesaving organizations along New Jersey’s shoreline. They included Atlantic City, Avalon, Brigantine, Cape May, Cape May Point, Diamond Beach, Longport, Margate, North Wildwood, Ocean City, Sea Girt, Sea Isle City, Upper Township, Ventnor, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest Beach Patrols.
During the conference, attendees had the opportunity to network, share experiences and discuss issues related to women in the workplace, according to a news release.
The event also included a fitness session and presentations from guest speakers Colleen McIntyre Osborne and Joanne Lombard Palombo, alumni of the Sea Isle Beach Patrol.
“Our guest speakers shared stories and offered great advice, especially for those who are just starting their lifeguard careers,” said event organizer Bridget O’Hanlon, who has been a member of the SICBP for nine years.
“This conference is important because it gives female guards from different communities the opportunity to meet and learn from one another,” O’Hanlon said. “It was exciting to have so many female lifeguards gathered together; and we are grateful that so many beach patrols were able to send representatives to the conference.”
O’Hanlon also noted the support for the event from local businesses, including Giovanni’s Delicatessen, Maryanne Pastry Shoppe, McGowan’s Market, Playa Bowls, Seaside Shade Shack, Shorebreak Café, Surfside Fitness and Wawa Market.
According to SICBP Chief Renny Steele, nearly half of Sea Isle’s Beach Patrol is made up of female employees (approximately 45 percent). He also said his organization’s female guards have continually demonstrated their athletic prowess and professionalism on the sand.
“From all reports, this year’s conference was very successful, and we are looking forward to hosting this event again in 2025,” Steele said.
To learn more about the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol, go to https://sicbp.com/.
