OCEAN CITY — Miss Ocean City and Junior Miss Ocean City contestants were all in their bathing suits Aug. 1, but it wasn’t for a pageant stage. They were on the beach and in the surf learning skills lifeguards use on the Ocean City Beach Patrol.
The lifeguards put them through their paces — gently, for the most part — testing their high-stepping on a beach obstacle course and a short surf-dash course in the waves, showing them how to navigate paddleboards in the ocean and taking them for rides on a sled pulled by a jet ski.
“Having our guards showcase various aspects of lifeguarding was more than just a demonstration of skills; it was an opportunity to inspire and empower the girls,” OCBP Chief of Operations Erich Becker said. “Lifeguarding requires a unique combination of physical ability, quick thinking and teamwork, and I hope that the pageant girls saw that they, too, can shine in these areas.”
The father of four daughters, Becker wanted the introduction to lifeguarding to be meaningful.
“I hope that this experience meant a lot to the girls, showing them that they can be strong, capable and confident in any role they choose,” he said. “Whether they pursue lifeguarding or any other path, I want them to remember that they have the potential to achieve great things.”
The event was organized by Aggie Becker, who is director of the Miss Ocean City and Junior Miss Ocean City pageants, and who happens to be the OCBP chief’s oldest daughter. The lifeguards involved, including Chief Becker and Deputy Chief Holly Lesser, also helped organize the educational fun.
While the chief worked with the girls on the paddleboards, Lesser made the rounds ensuring everything was running smoothly and the girls were having a good time.
“I love community partnerships. I really believe it’s so important that Miss and Junior Miss contestants are involved with the organizations within the city,” Aggie Becker said. “The OCBP is such an outstanding and integral part of the summertime in Ocean City and I wanted the girls to really see what lifeguards do on a daily basis to keep the city they may be representing safe.
“However,” she added, “what I wanted them to get out of this event most was a fun and special evening together.”
Although the girls took some tumbles in the waves during the paddleboard instruction, they inevitably got up smiling and laughing. Ditto for the surf dash as they raced each other carrying rescue cans from the beach to flags in the surf and then back to the beach.
They also had fun with the ride through the ocean being towed behind the jet skis, clad in lifejackets and helmets.
Little Miss Ocean City Stella Fleming, the youngest of the girls there, said her favorite part was the surf dash and jumping over the waves. Asked if the introduction to the OCBP was inspiring her to become a lifeguard, she demurred. “Kind of,” she said, smiling.
Miss Ocean City Lola DeMarco asked not to have any photographs taken of her during the jet ski adventure, but it wasn’t because she was afraid of zooming through the ocean.
“I actually loved the jet ski, I just didn’t like the helmet. I’m a fashion girl; the helmet was just not for me,” she said, laughing. “I don’t like hat hair.”
Her favorite part was surfing on the paddleboard.
“It was super fun,” she said. “I don’t want to be a lifeguard, though. This showed me how unable I am to be a lifeguard. I couldn’t if I tried.”
DeMarco’s lifelong friend, Liv Leonetti, said she had a great time. “It was really fun. I liked the paddleboarding, the surfing part. It was really fun.”
Francesca Shaffer, who will be competing in the Junior Miss Pageant on Aug. 17, “really liked when we did the obstacle course and jumped over all the poles. I thought that was really fun.”
“I think the jet ski was so much fun,” fellow Junior Miss contestant Gia Emilio said. She liked being pulled around on the sled. “I wouldn’t trust myself driving it,” she said, laughing.
“My favorite part was the surf dash in the water, jumping over the waves,” Junior Miss contestant Sarah Smith said. Asked if she saw that in her future, given lifeguards compete in the surf dash during summer competitions, Smith said that wasn’t likely. “As a dancer, I don’t think I’m athletic enough. My running’s not up there.”
Another Junior Miss contestant, Madison Keenan, also enjoyed the surf dash. Asked if she did well at that, she smiled. “No,” she said, admitting she still had fun.
Five Miss Ocean City contestants also had their favorites.
“I think the jet skis were definitely my favorite,” Kalla Tocci-Rogers said. “I wish he had flung me off the side of it, but he told me they weren’t allowed.”
The tall track and field athlete who just graduated from Mainland Regional High School, after attending Ocean City High School, showed off her skills in the surf dash.
“I’m too competitive to lose,” she said. “If I’m going against someone, I can’t lose.” Pointing out that she has much longer legs than some of her competitors, making her able to navigate waves a little easier, she laughed. “I didn’t pick the teams.”
Angelina Anderson said her favorite parts were the jet ski and the surfing.
“I loved the jet ski and I obviously love surfing,” she said. “I wanted to hit a party wave though. That’s when everybody hits the wave at the same time. We were trying to do that but it wasn’t working well.”
“My favorite part was riding on the back of the jet ski,” Jordan Deseeuw-Yager said. “Even though I got water in my eyes, it was still a really fun experience.”
Suzy Bautista agreed.
“Definitely the jet ski. It was so fun,” she said. “I got water in my eyes, but it was so fun. Jumping over the waves is not for the weak, I’ll say that.”
Taylor Mulford couldn’t chose a favorite event.
“I liked it all. I haven’t been in the ocean before,” she said. “This was my first time.”
Despite living at the shore, Mulford said she doesn’t like the water. “I’m afraid of it. It’s a big fear, but I really enjoyed myself. I got over my fear.”
Indeed she did. Mulford looked fearless running through the surf dash and on the paddleboard in the waves.
The pageant director was happy with how everything turned out. The girls enjoyed pizza with the lifeguards afterward.
“I was thrilled with this event and am already planning it again for next year,” Aggie Becker said. “Chief Becker and Deputy Chief Lesser did a phenomenal job putting this together and it was evident they did all they could to make this a fun and successful event.
“I am proud and thankful that the pageant has the support of Ocean City’s exceptional beach patrol!”
Other lifeguards who took part in the evening event included Lt. Kat Soanes, Kelly Newcomb, Summer Dewitt, Sofia Petrov, Haley Clayton, Lt. Grace Curry, Callie Bellwoar, Wyatt Clayton and Kyle Rosland.
The Miss Ocean City Pageant is Saturday, Aug. 10. The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant is Friday, Aug. 16, and the Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant is Saturday, Aug. 17. All begin at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. To get tickets, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call (609) 399-6111 or stop by one of the city welcome centers.
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
