Cliona O'Connor: 1998-2000![]() We are thrilled to highlight our first female alum, Cliona O'Connor! This spotlight is special, as Cliona wrote to us from across the pond in her native Ireland. As a guard in the late 90's, Cliona left her mark as one of the top female athletes in South Jersey. She was a member of the women's surf dash team as well as an exceptional paddler. We are happy that Cliona has shared with us some of her best memories with the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol! What made you join the beach patrol? I worked as a beach guard in Cork in Ireland and a fellow guard had come to the Crest previously - it sounded so great that I had to check it out with my best friend Steph. What are some of your best memories from your years with the WCBP? Winning our 1st surf dash in the Wildwood Women's Tournament in 1998 was a blast. And winning again the following year, as well as my individual paddle board event was icing on the cake. I have so many great memories from my 3 years on WCBP - the best one's really are the day to day fun we had working out & sitting up in that glorious NJ sunshine. Those burgers from the Alumni BBQ were something to remember too! Followed by those epic brownies from Le Bus. ![]() Tell us about your life after the beach. Life after the beach is great. I qualified as teacher in Science & PE. Then I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 10 years as a medical sales rep'. Now I am at home bringing up a rowdy bunch of 4 kids. You made them, you look after 'em....isn't that what they say LOL. How has the beach patrol impacted your life? Travelling to the US in the late 90's was such an amazing experience. We immersed ourselves in everything American (when in Rome and all that). With 4 kids it's been a while since I've been trans-Atlantic so I am so grateful that I went when I could. I still am in contact with lots of the friends I made and I have a huge pile of fun memories to draw on when the cold winter sets in over here.
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