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Image for event: The Guards - South Jersey

Registration now closed

The Guards - South Jersey

Lifeguarding. Presented by Tom McCann

2025-08-14 18:00:00 2025-08-14 19:00:00 America/New_York The Guards - South Jersey Cape May City - Events Room North, Events Room South

Thursday, August 14
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-08-14 18:00:00 2025-08-14 19:00:00 America/New_York The Guards - South Jersey Registration requested. Cape May City - Events Room North, Events Room South

Cape May City

Events Room North, Events Room South

Registration requested.

All events are tentatively scheduled and may change. Please see the CMCL Events Calendar on our website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our weekly eNewsletter for any and all updates.


The Guards is a South Jersey story about its life-guards, and is the first comprehensive book ever written about the 15 South Jersey Beach Patrols from Brigantine to Cape May Point. Guards throughout South Jersey protect and save the thousands upon thousands of bathers who enter the ocean annually. South Jersey Beach Patrols have grown into one of the greatest and valued lifeguarding units in theUSA. This book highlights individual guards and patrols since the inception of the first beach patrol in Atlantic City in 1891.

Tom McCann, an eternal lifeguard, has written three books about lifeguarding—his life-long passion. In 2001, he wrote Lifeguarding in Sea Isle City since 1882 . In 2010, he produced a second edition of his first book, and The Guards completes his trilogy.

Tom McCann has worked and combed the beaches of South Jersey as a mascot, lifeguard, Beach Patrol Captain, and in his favorite role, rookie school instructor. In 1978, his first year as Sea Isle City Beach Patrol Captain, McCann was elected President of the South Jersey Chiefs Association.

In Beach Patrol competitions, the most thrilling event for McCann was the Surfbash Relay. He represented his patrol for nine consecutive seasons. McCann and Linn Way placed third in the South Jerseys in the Doubles, and McCann took third in the South Jersey Singles as well. They also placed 2nd in the Margate Memorials. In 1972, they broke the Around Sea Isle Island rowing record, which still stands. McCann was Doubles Rowing Champion in the Kerrs, County and Goudy Rescue Races. He was also six-time Tri-Cities Champion. In 1993, McCann was inducted into Viking Rowing Club’s Ocean Rowing Hall Of Fame. At Temple University, McCann rowed Crew and was Co-Captain of Coach Thomas A. Curran’s 1976 Crew Team, winning the Bergen and Kerr Cups. He received his B.S. Degree from Temple University, an M.S. from Glassboro State College, a Post-Masters Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and his Doctorate in Education from Temple University.

McCann was a lifelong educator, serving as a School Administrator for 36 years—25 as Principal. He retired from Vineland High School as Principal in 2018.


Please review our Adult Events Attendance Policy.

Have feedback? We'd love to hear from you! Fill out our online feedback form here!

AGE GROUP: | 18 or older |

EVENT TYPE: | Education |

TAGS: | patrol | ocean | lifeguards | beach |

Cape May City

Phone: 609-884-9568

Hours

Cape May City

Mon, Aug 25 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Tue, Aug 26 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Aug 27 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Thu, Aug 28 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Aug 29 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Aug 30 9:00AM to 4:30PM
Sun, Aug 31 Closed

Upcoming events

Fri, Aug 29, 9:15am - 10:15am
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Fri, Aug 29, 9:30am - 3:30pm
Upper Cape - Events Room
Registration is now closed

Fri, Aug 29, 9:30am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Fri, Aug 29, 10:00am - 11:00am
Woodbine - Children's Room,Events Room

Fri, Aug 29, 10:00am - 11:00am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Fri, Aug 29, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Fri, Aug 29, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Fri, Aug 29, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Fri, Aug 29, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Fri, Aug 29, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Woodbine - Children's Room,Events Room

Sat, Aug 30, 9:30am - 10:30am
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Mon, Sep 01, All day
Cape May Court House

Mon, Sep 01, All day
CMCL Online

Tue, Sep 02, All day
CMCL Online

Tue, Sep 02, 9:30am - 10:30am
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Tue, Sep 02, 10:00am - 11:00am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Tue, Sep 02, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Upper Cape - Events Room
This event is full

Tue, Sep 02, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Cape May Court House - Storytime Room

Tue, Sep 02, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Cape May Court House - Storytime Room

Tue, Sep 02, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Tue, Sep 02, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Wed, Sep 03, All day
CMCL Online

Wed, Sep 03, 9:15am - 10:15am
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Wed, Sep 03, 10:00am - 11:00am
Sea Isle City - Children's Room

Wed, Sep 03, 10:00am - 11:00am
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Sep 03, 10:30am - 11:30am
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Wed, Sep 03, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
This event is full

Wed, Sep 03, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Sep 03, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Sep 03, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Thu, Sep 04, All day
CMCL Online

Thu, Sep 04, 9:30am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Thu, Sep 04, 10:00am - 11:30am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Sep 04, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Sep 04, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 1st Floor Events Room
This event is full

Thu, Sep 04, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Thu, Sep 04, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Thu, Sep 04, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Thu, Sep 04, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Thu, Sep 04, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Upper Cape - Events Room

Thu, Sep 04, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Sep 04, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Thu, Sep 04, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
This event is full

Thu, Sep 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
CMCL Online - Google Meet

Fri, Sep 05, All day
CMCL Online

Fri, Sep 05, 9:15am - 10:15am
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Fri, Sep 05, 9:30am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Fri, Sep 05, 10:00am - 11:00am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Fri, Sep 05, 10:30am - 11:30am
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Fri, Sep 05, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Fri, Sep 05, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Wildwood Crest - 1st Floor Events Room
This event is full

Fri, Sep 05, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Cancelled
Fri, Sep 05, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Lower Cape

Fri, Sep 05, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area