More than 50 crews of lifeguards rowed Van Duyne surfboats six miles in the back bays around Strathmere, N.J., with victory going to Avalon lifeguards Craig Whitehead and Shane McGrath. The hosting Deauville Inn was packed with hundreds of fans and supporters of their favorite crews.
The organizers were looking for a unique race that could utilize the athletic skills of lifeguards and provide the South Jersey Chiefs Association with a venue for giving back to the communities it works in, said founder Bill Handley. 16 years later, the event remains a summer fixture down the shore.