John Boyd Memorial Swim

I’ve always said that there’s a big difference when it comes to swimming in a pool and the ocean. Those who want to test their metal in the great Atlantic can do so this Sunday evening at the John Boyd Memorial Swim in Seaside Heights. Sponsored by the Lifeguard Association of Seaside Heights, the annual one-mile open swim will feature three divisions….Open, High School and Masters. Registration is $20 for the race and that includes a beach barbeque and party afterwards with food and drink as well as a race T-shirt. Registration begins at 4pm at Hiering Avenue and the boardwalk with the swim to start at 6:30.

The race is named after one of New Jersey’s true legends when it comes to lifeguarding and football. John Boyd spent nearly 60 years as a lifeguard in Seaside Heights, a good portion of it as Captain of the Beach Patrol where he worked alongside his brothers Joe and Hugh. Capt. Boyd was an All-American football player at Temple University where he was coached by Pop Warner and played in the first Sugar Bowl in 1935 where Temple lost to Tulane. He served in the US Navy during World War II where former President Gerard Ford was among his shipmates. Later he would begin a long tenure as head football coach and Athletic Director at Atlantic City High School and the football field and track where they played their games from 1949-94 was named John Boyd Stadium. Summers of course were spent running the beach in Seaside Heights with his brothers and nobody ever did it better. Joe Boyd was the head football coach and Athletic Director at Central Regional High School and the football field there is appropriately named after him. I had the honor of playing for him at Central, which I attended after graduating from the Seaside Heights Elementary School where my 6th grade teacher and Principal was Hugh, although everyone called him “Junie.” I attended the old school near the Casino Pier and when the current one opened by the bay front in 1967 it was named Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School. The three Boyd Brothers may be gone but their contributions will never be forgotten. By the way, “Junie’s” son Tommy is the current police chief in Seaside Heights.

As for Sunday’s ocean swim you can get additional information by contacting Lifeguard Association Sgt. Rob Connor at (732) 793-4646 or by visiting compuscore.com