The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce was honored to host the 2019 Lifeguard Awards on August 15^th and recognize the many men and women who guarded our beaches this summer season. The compassion, professionalism, and work ethic that these guards and their captains exude, play a major role in the success of the tourism industry in the Quiet Resorts; this area’s safe, and family-friendly beaches are what bring many visitors back year after year.

As a small token of our appreciation, we joined together with the Big Chill Beach Club and other Chamber members to throw a luau celebration for the seven local beach patrols. Guests enjoyed food from La Vida Hospitality, music by DJ Hook, and an award presentation honoring the Lifeguard of the Year of each patrol.

As chosen by the patrol captains, the 2019 Lifeguards of the Year were: Chris Javens, Bethany Beach Patrol; Ryan Swift, Delaware Seashore State Park Beach Patrol; John Douds, Fenwick Island Beach Patrol; Erin Haden, Middlesex Beach Patrol; Shawn Temple, North Bethany Beach Patrol; Filip Hanus, Sea Colony Beach Patrol; and Maggie Ford, South Bethany Beach Patrol. Congratulations to all!

The evening also included a check presentation to the towns of Bethany Beach, South Bethany, and Fenwick Island for $500 each to help offset the cost of lifeguards on the weekends throughout September.

We would like to thank our sponsors for making the evening possible: Presenting Sponsor, Big Chill Beach Club; Signature Sponsor, Fred & Barbie Thomas; Patrol Sponsors, The UPS Store #4681, Anne Powell & Associates, Banks Wines & Spirits, PNC Bank, and Custom Mechanical; Buoy Sponsors, Creative Concepts, Atlantic General Hospital, Inland Bays Garden Center, Bank of Ocean City, and John F. Kleinstuber; Whistle Sponsors, John Murray – County Bank, Sea Shell City, and Hickman & Sons, LLC; and Friends of the Guards, Scherer Financial Services and Max Hutsell – Edward Jones.

Thank you again to all of our local guards for another safe and successful summer!