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Community Corner

Lifeguarding at the Jersey Shore Has a Rich History

Michael Fowler discussed its evolution at Monmouth County Historical Association Museum & Library

He started lifeguarding in 1964. Almost 50 years later, Michael Fowler, lifeguard supervisor for Monmouth County Park System, is still at it. To Fowler, lifeguarding is more than just the rescue; lifeguarding is a part of history.

Fowler’s recently published book, Lifeguarding at the Jersey Shore, co-authored by Bernard Olsen and Edward Olsen, was the subject of a “Historically Speaking” lecture and digital photo presentation held at Monmouth County Historical Association Museum & Library in Freehold on Sunday.

“I’m interested in the historical evolution of lifeguards,” Fowler said.

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Lifeguarding began in the 1700s and 1800s in response to shipwrecks along New Jersey’s coast.

”New Jersey was the shipwreck capital of the world,” Fowler said.

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The focus of early lifeguarding was prevention. Lighthouses went up to alert captains of their ships’ distance from the shore. The first lighthouse was erected in Sandy Hook in 1764. It is the oldest in the U.S. and still in operation today.

Early travel to the shore for vacationing purposes gained popularity in the mid-1800s. Fowler showed photos of carriages arriving and then, in the 1900s, trains packed with vacationers pulling into Asbury Park.

“People were fascinated with the ocean, the dunes, the sand, the sea, the salt,” he said.

Beach lifeguarding quickly developed as the shore became a place for tourism. In an attempt not to scare away tourists with dangers of swimming, and instead promote a feeling of safety, towns came up with catchy advertising. A Cape May ad promoted “Competent Bathers on Duty” in reference to their staff of lifeguards.

Atlantic City erected the first lifeguard tower in the late 1800s, and shortly after, the first beachside medical tent. Rescue equipment and procedures have continued to evolve alongside advances in science and technology.

Fowler said there are currently over 3000 rescues each year in New Jersey. He spoke about the design of modern rescue gear, accompanied by photos of lifeguards stands, boats, paddle boards, and floatation devices. Just as it was in the 1700s, the key to a successful rescue is prevention. “Lifeguards are paid observers,” he said.

A long time collector of memorabilia, Fowler has an extensive library of Jersey Shore-related books, photos, newspapers, and postcards. Fowler gained a sense of personal gratification when his book was published in 2010.

“There’s got to be more to this (lifeguarding) than meets the eye,” he said. “I have brought to life something that hasn’t been researched or published in a comprehensive form in the past.”

From rookie initiation to camaraderie amongst lifeguards, training to live rescues, Fowler has been a part of it all. “Lifeguards are lifeguards for life,” he said.

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