This action-packed event was the perfect July sendoff. On Wednesday, July 31, fifty-four women (the most in the event’s history) represented beach patrols throughout South Jersey and competed in a vigorous lifeguard endurance triathlon at St. Pete’s Beach in Cape May Point. The course consisted of a 1.3-mile soft sand run, 1-mile ocean paddle, and finished with a half-mile ocean swim.
Jenna Parker, representing Harvey Cedars, reclaimed the title this year, making it her sixth win after placing second in 2023 by just three seconds to Lexi Santer of Ocean City Beach Patrol. This year, Parker completed the course in 25 minutes, 27 seconds, this time with a three-second lead over the runner up Ivy Slavinsky of Sea Girt Beach Patrol. Katie Zgorski of Ocean City (Maryland) finished third with a time of 25 minutes, 45 seconds.
Jenna Parker headed toward the finish line with Ivy Slavinsky close behind. Photos by author.
The forty-year-old former professional triathlete told us, “I’ve been in the challenge eight times and I think this may have been the hardest one yet.” When approaching a race on the beach, the conditions are difficult to anticipate. The soft sand run and navigating around the jetty with high-tides and choppy water presented obstacles for Parker. “This year didn’t suit my strengths. That is when positive self-talk and trusting my instincts and experience kicked into gear,” she said. “I thought last year was going to be my last year. I appreciate knowing I can still do this at forty and am grateful for the opportunity to get out there and push myself.”
For Parker, competing is not just about beating out other contestants—the real rush is testing her capabilities. “I want to win but competition has always been more against myself. These other amazing athletes motivate me and allow me to dig deeper.”
Competing alongside women of all ages and experience keeps things interesting. The second place winner, sixteen-year-old first-year guard Ivy Slavinsky, has a background in cross country and swimming. Excelling so early on and being neck-in-neck with Parker during parts of this race informs a promising road ahead for the young guard.
“It is super exciting to watch these young girls compete,” shared Parker. “It’s wonderful to see Ivy put on such a strong race, and it speaks volumes about where woman’s lifesaving is heading. I feel honored that I can still play in the same circle as these phenomenal athletes that protect our beaches.”
Parker emphasizes the significance of women being encouraged to train and prevail in a field traditionally geared toward men.
Left: Lindsay Robbins of Upper Township Beach Patrol.
The Women’s Lifeguard Challenge originated as a female version of the Cape May Beach Patrol’s SuperAthalon, which had been invented to test the strengths of the local male lifesavers. Parker competed in the most recent SuperAtholon as the only female contestant out of fifteen and came in fifth place.
“The Women’s Challenge was absolutely more difficult than the SuperAtholon,” said Parker. She explained that the rowing segment of the SuperAtholon provides a sort of recovery, whereas the paddleboard portion of the Women’s Challenge keeps your heart-rate pumping.
Parker, serving as an accomplished and humble role model to the younger guards, stresses the importance of a positive mentality in the world of competition as well as women cheering each other on.
She professed her gratitude for Kristen Moorby who created and maintains this exhilarating event, as well as Cape May Point for being a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.
View the full gallery by David Nahan/Cape May Star and Wave : Ocean City Sentinel
2024 16th Annual Cape May Point Women’s Lifeguard Challenge Results
- Jenna Parker (Harvey Cedars) 25:27
- Ivy Slavinsky (Sea Girt) 25:30
- Katie Zgorski (Ocean City-Maryland) 25.45
- Lexi Santer (Ocean City) 27:03 28
- Maddie Priest (Wildwood Crest) 28:21 18
- Grace Emig (Brigantine) 28:49
- Emma DeMario (Cape May “A”) 28:52
- Madi Bickford (Cape May “B”) 29:02
- Bella Bulhoes (Sea Bright) 29:55
- Kylie Fry (Sea Isle City) 29:57
- Megan Winterbottom (Brigantine) 29:59
- Maggie Shaw (Harvey Cedars) 30:06
- Lindsay Frenia (Cape May “B) 30:09
- Mandi Basantis (Diamond Beach) 30:24
- Emmie Frederick (Wildwood Crest) 30:26
- Top 3 Teams (cross country scoring, single entries are displaced):
- 1st Place: Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol “A Team”: Jenna Parker & Maggie Shaw (11 pts.)
- 2nd Place: Cape May Beach Patrol “A Team”: Emma DeMario & Madi Bickford (13 pts.)
- 3rd Place: Brigantine City Beach Patrol “A Team”: Grace Emig & Megan Winterbottom (14 pts.)
