SALISBURY — The Salisbury State Reservation lifeguards can once again stake claim to being the best in the state.
Competing on their home sand, the local lifeguards blew away their competition at yesterday's Department of Conservation and Recreation-sponsored event that pitted teams from state beaches across the Bay State coastline.
The Salisbury guards posted 190 points. Their nearest competitor, the lifeguards from Horseneck State Beach, earned 117 points, Nantasket State Beach guards were on the board with 79, and Nahant's guards, who entered only a few events, earned 17.
Salisbury's win wasn't a surprise, according to nine-year veteran Nantasket lifeguard Rebecca Goreham.
"They're pretty intense," she said of the 25 men and women who patrol the waters off Salisbury Beach. "But they're also very welcoming. It's always nice coming to Salisbury. And this beach is beautiful."
The local crew practices daily for the swimming, paddling, running and rescuing they did yesterday. The high level of intensity is exemplified by diminutive Salisbury lifeguard Aimee Doe, who in the swim relay opened up an enormous lead over her competition.
"She's so dainty and such a sweetheart when you talk to her," said 22-year veteran Salisbury lifeguard David Torrisi. "But when she gets in the water, she's a vicious competitor," finished Salisbury's head lifeguard, Fletcher Wasson.
The events include Rescue Reel, Run-Swim-Run, Paddle Board Relay, Swim Rescue, Swim Relay, 1-Mile Run, Iron Guard Relay and Beach Flags.
Salisbury fielded two teams yesterday against their competitors. Others who won, placed, showed or competed were Amy Fay, Meghan Feran, CJ Cronin, Adam Eramo, Ethan Sullivan, Fletcher Wasson, Matt Rosene, Mike De Millia, Delia Foley, MacKenzie Wasson, Chelsea Foley, Brady Tatro and Colin Somogie.
According to Salisbury lifeguard supervisor George Nigro, a guard on the beach since 1983, the team loves hosting the competition, enjoying the camaraderie. But yesterday, business was business, and friendships were put aside. Even before the numbers were tallied, Nigro knew who would win.
"We will. We have all college and high school swimmers here," he said. "They're a great crew. They work hard."
Local pride aside, officials from the state had nothing but good things to say about Salisbury's guards.
"There are none better," DCR district manager Ray Faucher said. "I tell my family, 'If you want to swim and be safe, go to Salisbury Beach. It's not just at competitions; it's the way they patrol this beach every day."
DCR's northeast regional director Susan Hamilton agreed.
"They're personable, but they take their job seriously," she said. "They're a good team and work well together."
Youth may have taken yesterday's competition, but Nigro's decades' worth of experience on the beach and his skills as a teacher make him a "huge" asset to DCR, Faucher said. The state agency uses his talents for training not just in Salisbury but elsewhere, Faucher said.
But in Salisbury, where life or death in the ocean and river waters depends on the speed, alertness and skills of its lifeguards, Salisbury Beach State Reservation manager Mike Magnifico summed them up succinctly.
"Salisbury lifeguards are the best," said Magnifico as he watched them in the water yesterday. "They're tough. They've proven that today."
Next, Salisbury's guards are off as defending champs to the New England Life Saving Championships, an annual event held at Ogunquit Beach in Maine in August. The Salisbury guards have won that competition two years running.
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