My Dad was a Belmar lifeguard in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. The test then consisted of having to “rescue” Howard Rowland. The problem was that Howard would slather baby oil all over himself, swim out a hundred yards, and when the candidate swam out to “save” him, he’d attack them and try to make them panic. My Dad, whose older brothers were Belmar guards, knew what to expect. So he dove down while Howard was still treading water, pulled him underwater by the ankles (the only part of him that wasn’t covered in baby oil), spun him around so his back was to beach, and then surfaced up behind him. He then reached over Howard’s shoulder and grabbed a fistful of Howard’s chest hair, and then — in my Dad’s words — “hung on for dear life.” Howard started to fight, but quickly thought better of it, and my Dad swam him in.
Cool story, but these days, I believe many swimmers shave their bodies to reduce drag. Those were the days before stupid wokeness tries to ruin any fun or good humor.
Unfortunately at the same time the wake for former Belmar PD Captain and lifeguard Pat Magovern is scheduled to be going on at Reilly’s. Both contributed greatly to the town and loved the beach. God bless both men.
I attended last night’s dedication ceremony. It was such a delightful event. Everyone was happy. Lots and lots of locals who were all getting along and telling pleasant stories. Howard was an inspiration to many and I’m glad the town recognized him for it. Nice job to all.
He had a lot of body hair … the lifeguards affectionately called him the ‘missing link’
My Dad was a Belmar lifeguard in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. The test then consisted of having to “rescue” Howard Rowland. The problem was that Howard would slather baby oil all over himself, swim out a hundred yards, and when the candidate swam out to “save” him, he’d attack them and try to make them panic. My Dad, whose older brothers were Belmar guards, knew what to expect. So he dove down while Howard was still treading water, pulled him underwater by the ankles (the only part of him that wasn’t covered in baby oil), spun him around so his back was to beach, and then surfaced up behind him. He then reached over Howard’s shoulder and grabbed a fistful of Howard’s chest hair, and then — in my Dad’s words — “hung on for dear life.” Howard started to fight, but quickly thought better of it, and my Dad swam him in.
Cool story, but these days, I believe many swimmers shave their bodies to reduce drag. Those were the days before stupid wokeness tries to ruin any fun or good humor.
Unfortunately at the same time the wake for former Belmar PD Captain and lifeguard Pat Magovern is scheduled to be going on at Reilly’s. Both contributed greatly to the town and loved the beach. God bless both men.
I attended last night’s dedication ceremony. It was such a delightful event. Everyone was happy. Lots and lots of locals who were all getting along and telling pleasant stories. Howard was an inspiration to many and I’m glad the town recognized him for it. Nice job to all.
#5 Thanks for the update on Howard’s ceremony. He was such a sweet guy, I have so many fond memories of him.