The Unsung Heroes of Fourth Ave.

                                   Photo of James Gorman He is Doing The Dance of The Drums

The Unsung Heroes of Fourth Ave.

By James Gorman

     Fourth Ave. and Ocean Ave. in Bradley Beach is where I spend my summer days.  I endure

a long cold winter, dreaming of hot summer beach days. I usually sit on the beach

five yards to the left of the lifeguard stand. Sooner or later, we all become creatures of habit.

I would not consider myself an avid ocean swimmer, but I am a person that understands the power

and beauty of the endless surf. A fifteen year old boy drowned in a riptide before Memorial Day 

when there were no lifeguards on duty.  It’s a reminder that resonates with you and stays in your

thoughts.  Lifeguards are specimens of good looking tanned youth in physical shape.

 Guys ogle female lifeguards while girls check over the male lifeguards.  Much of the time

 is spent blowing their whistle and flagging swimmers to move over to the designated swimming area.

They have to answer a series of questions that run the gamut from “Are there any sharks in the

water today?” to “What kind of tide is it and when is it going to change?” Or ,they may have to

help a crying lost child find their parents.

       If you go to the beach on a daily basis, one day you will see it happen.  Far off in the distant surf

someone waves their hands and yells for help while trying not to swallow the salty water. A

lifeguard’s whistle goes off and almost like a knee jerk reaction, two lifeguards simultaneously jump 6

feet from their chair.    They run from two 45 degree angles 75 yards through the thick hot sand.

 Within seconds they are swimming 150 yards out through the cold pounding waves.  In what seems

like a blink of an eye, a body filled with fear and panic  will get another chance at life. Make no doubt

about it this is the time, when all the teamwork and rigorous trainings to meet the

high standards their job demands pay off.

     In closing, I would like to raise a toast to the lifeguards of Fourth Ave and all lifeguards who risk

their lives so your life won’t be at risk. The next time you are sunning or swimming at the beach

make it a point to walk up to a lifeguard’s chair and say “Thanks for doing a great job and watching my

back.

The End