Lewes rookie lifeguards compete in fitness test
Bragging rights were at stake at the annual rookie lifeguard test/competition on Johnnie Walker Beach in Lewes July 23.
Nine first-year members of the Lewes Beach Patrol took part. They showed off their skills in four separate physical fitness events.
The competition was modified because of a swimming advisory that was up at the time.
It was the fourth year for the friendly contest.
Lewes Beach Patrol Capt. Strohm Edwards said the competition is a rite of passage.
“They come into the season not knowing what’s in front of them. They’re brand new,” he said. “As we’ve gone through the season, just to watch them grow as athletes, as guards and as individuals, it all comes down to today for them because, now, they go from rookies to first-year guards.”
Jaxen Edwards was the winner and named Rookie of the Year. He will receive his award at a later date.
“Over the last few years, we’re getting more and more of our veteran guards coming back, and we’re supporting the rookies as a group,” Capt. Edwards said.
He said he has about 40 kids in the junior lifeguard program, which is in its first year, as a pipeline to the beach patrol.
Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.
