Former Longport Beach Patrol lifeguard John Siganos is recognized for saving two lives on July 11.
LONGPORT The Board of Commissioners Oct. 17 honored members of the Longport Beach Patrol for winning the South Jersey Lifeguard Association Championships for the third year in a row and commended a former lifeguard for rescuing two people caught in the surf off the jetty.
Freeholder Maureen Kern presents Mike McGrath, Joey Tepper and Sean Duffey with proclamations from the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The beach patrol participated in the annual competition on Aug. 10 and emerged victorious as it did in 2016 and 2017. Lifeguards Mike McGrath and Sean Duffey took third place in the doubles row, and McGrath placed first in the singles row. Rookie lifeguard Joey Tepper took first place in the swim event.
Mayor Nicholas Russo said that although their primary responsibility is to keep bathers safe, participating in competitions allows them to hone their skills and abilities.
Members of the Longport Beach Patrol are recognized for winning the South Jersey Lifeguard Association Championship on Aug. 10.
District 2 Freeholder Maureen Kern presented them with proclamations from the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The commissioners also commended former Beach Patrol member John Siganos for saving the lives of two young men from the choppy waters off the Longport jetty on July 11.
From left, Commissioners Jim Leeds, Dan Lawler, former lifeguard John Siganos and Mayor Nicholas Russo.
Without concern for his own safety, Siganos sprinted to the men, who were struggling against significant whitewater wave action, and held onto them while bringing them to safety on the rocks of the jetty.
If anyone knows the waters by the jetty in the southernmost part f Longport, they know they are treacherous, Russo said. It takes skill and bravery to go into the water by yourself to rescue two potential drowning victims.
Everything I learned was from the Longport Beach Patrol, Siganos said.
