Cape May Beach Patrol hosts conference also to address ongoing issues of disrespect, harassment
CAPE MAY — A full-grown human, drowning in the ocean, is buoyed by the saltwater. Even at 200 pounds, their would-be rescuer requires roughly the same effort to move them as they would a 20-pound weight.
Using Archimedes’ Principle to figure out how much water is displaced, adding in how much air is in the lungs, the salinity of the water and so forth, is not a simple equation, but 20 pounds for a human being is at the upper end of the scale.
Strangely enough, that makes the victim the least difficult component of the rescue effort. The really big questions become: how fast can the rescuer reach the victim? How strong is the ocean’s current? How big are the waves? And so on down the list until the daunting final test: does the rescuer know enough first aid to keep this victim alive until more help arrives to take them to a hospital?
The women of beach patrols all over southern New Jersey are very familiar with the physics of saving people. They train for years to be part of the patrols that protect families on the beaches.
The hiring process is grueling, a rite of passage that leaves some humbled, not up to the demands; but every year more and more women make the cut. The workplace they’ll face is filled with constant danger, unfortunately not only from the sea they’ve signed up to battle.
That is why more than 70 guards will be gathering at the end of June for the South Jersey Women’s Lifeguard Conference, hosted this year by the Cape May Beach Patrol at Convention Hall.
Cape May Beach Patrol has been working hard to make its facilities able to support the women guards, now at nearly 50 percent of the force, so hosting this event is an honor they’ve earned.
Lt. Sara Jackson of the CMBP has been tasked with running this year’s event, a day for women guards from 18 different patrols along New Jersey’s coastline to gather for leadership, education and support. As the youngest female lieutenant on the CMBP, Jackson has fresh eyes on the challenges facing young women. She has planned a day designed to honor the decades-long legacy of women saving lives, and include some pertinent advice from a few of the older guards.
Speakers will include the first-ever woman to win CMBP Lifeguard of the Year, Patrice Back; Kristen Moorby, of Cape May Point Beach Patrol, creator of the brutal all-woman triathlon “The Point Race,” which for almost 20 years has been putting the aggressive ocean currents surrounding Cape May Point to spectacular use; Kelsey and Tom Medvecky, two former Cape May guards who have spent years trying to save children on dry land with their charity Cal’s Pals; and Bridget O’Hanlon, who has been running the conference before this year and has spearheaded efforts to improve working conditions for women guards in her own Sea Isle City Beach Patrol and beyond.
It’s a testament to how well-known some of these speakers are, how legendary their exploits seem to many of the greatest athletes in the state, that two patrols from northern New Jersey are sending their guards to take part.
The networks among patrols have to be strong, not least because they face the same risks from lightning to storm currents to rip tides. For at least one of the stated goals of the conference, however, it’s a sobering reminder of how far society has yet to come on the issue of women rescuers.
“This was once an all-male job,” Jackson begins, setting down a lengthy list of issues still to be resolved for women guards across the region. This includes: different uniform requirements, a willingness to speak up about harassment or abuse, what to do about the harassment or abuse once it’s reported, the ability to take bathroom breaks during menstruation (yes, some patrols still refuse to allow them breaks, leaving guards to “figure it out” despite the serious health risks that encourages), and the confidence to become a leader within the patrol, influencing the culture in times ahead.
It’s this last aspect that makes the speeches given by some of the first women to lead their respective patrols so important to new guards — and those farther along in their career, facing some tough decisions about the future.
“We often face unique challenges,” Jackson said. “That can lead to feelings of isolation.”
The day-to-day issues are an uphill battle fought by each individual woman and responded to by each independent patrol, but they can certainly learn from each other. According to Jackson, one of the biggest issues facing women guards on the beach is being underestimated.
“We are often questioned by the public about our abilities to perform lifesaving techniques due to our gender and size,” she said. “Patrons are more likely to argue back or blatantly ignore you about rules, swim restrictions or beach closures.”
That puts lives in danger, and can lead to jail time or a fine for the patron, but only after the situation has made a tough day on the stand even worse for a woman guard.
“I was often seated with another woman, and stands that are all-women have the most trouble with beach patrons harassing them, not listening or often using profanity to discredit the job they were doing,” Jackson said.
In addition, these lifeguards — some as young as 16 — have to endure objectification from patrons.
“I would often have older male beach patrons take my picture or film me on the stand without my consent,” said Jackson, who has been with the CMBP for eight years — since she was a teen herself.
With so much on the line, it’s too easy for the youngest women on the patrol to feel like they personally can’t keep going, despite their proven competence and the fact that they beat other contenders to be there.
“I want every woman who attends (the conference) to walk away knowing she belongs,” Jackson said. “The goal is to foster confidence, build connections and highlight the important role women continue to play in lifesaving.”
The schedule of the conference reflects that, combining time for writing to individual retired women guards, speeches given by some of the leaders today, breakfast and lunch from Bagel Time and Wawa, followed by a group workout led by Donna Valentine and yoga led by Lia Antonicello from capemayyoga.
Best of all, attendees will get the chance to pick up some swimwear (a constant need, especially for uniform pieces) from Jolyn, and receive a goody-bag at the end filled with useful items donated from some larger brands, and a specialized gift from the town they represent.
The combination should give younger women working on the patrols the chance to get real advice and maybe even some new gear to make a tough job slightly easier.
“I hope every attendee leaves knowing she has a support system and community behind her,” Jackson said.
The conference will welcome these women guards June 30 at Cape May Convention Hall.
– STORY by VICTORIA RECTORFor the Sentinel
– PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
