Henry "Skip" Flanagan: 1962-1967The lessons and values of the beach patrol have a special way of sticking with you once life has forced you in another direction. That notion holds true with alumnus, Skip Flanagan. After working for the WCBP for six summers, Skip dedicated himself to a career in education and coaching. While earning a Ph.D, Skip studied at some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Presently, Skip serves both as the Dean and Head Lacrosse Coach of the esteemed Avon Old Farms School in Avon, CT. Aside from mentoring countless students over the years, Skip has also built his lacrosse program into a national powerhouse that is routinely ranked among the top 25 high schools in the country.  What made you join the beach patrol? Although I hailed from Maryland, I had grandparents and an aunt and uncle (Dave Snyder of the Wildwood Crest Police Dept.) who lived year round in the Crest. Therefore, my summers, throughout my childhood were always spent in New Jersey. I grew up always looking up to those on the Beach Patrol and hoped that, one day, I would be a guard. As it turned out, I was fortunate enough to experience many years on the stands and as a Lieutenant in the jeep. What are some of your best memories from your years with the WCBP? I recall the excitement that came along with situations that involved rescues where a combination of individual (swimmers) and boats were used. In my many years, this did not happen very often, but when it did it proved to be memorable indeed. On the other extreme, I liked the infrequent days when the weather took us away from the duties on the beach and the vast majority of us were involved in a most competitive game of touch football in the shadow of the Rambler Road Station. The level of play would probably not have gained interest from either Sports Illustrated or ESPN! From a personal standpoint, I was able to serve along with my younger cousin, Tom Snyder, for a couple of seasons. Being with Tom, a really dedicated guard, was a bonus.  Tell us about your life after the beach. For the most part, life after the "beach" included education and study that has kept me in schools and universities ever since. Rutgers, Harvard and Michigan found me toiling away in their collective libraries through the Ph.D level and I served as a Headmaster and Dean at prep schools for 44 years. I still work in that capacity at Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut. Lacrosse remains my sport of choice and I've been fortunate enough to be on the coaching staff for The English National Team in recent World Championships, having previously coached The University of Michigan, The Peddie School, Western Reserve Academy and Avon. I married the "girl" who was so very much a part of my life while I was on the Patrol. Britt and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We have two daughters and five grandchildren, two of whom are in college. She has been the best part of my life and I count my blessings. I managed to link up with a beautiful, intelligent, kind and understanding "trophy wife" from the get go...how lucky is that!  How has the beach patrol impacted your life? I so enjoyed the sense of "brotherhood" within the organization and the feeling of "good will" that we shared. On a more serious light, the notion of preparing for events (rescues) that would only infrequently occur was a good lesson indeed. We all knew that when the time came, we would have to depend on preparation and practice. On balance, it paid off when it was needed! I'd also have to say that getting in shape mentally and physically for the end of the season Lifeguard Championships was good practice for other applications in other fields of endeavor later in life..... I also felt that the "chain of command" helped to teach the importance of taking on more responsibility as one was elevated to a higher position on the patrol. Trying to manage the various personalities, strengths, weaknesses and egos of the various guards while getting the job done and keeping the beach safe was a lesson unto itself sometimes. What advice would you give a young guard today? Cherish your time on the Patrol! The years go far too quickly and the multiple elements of life will come your way soon enough. Know that you must always be willing to be diligent and prepared as your maturity and timely reaction to multiple situations matters greatly. While, in many ways, being on the patrol provides an idyllic summer experience, it also carries with it significant responsibilities. As the Coast Guard's motto, "Semper Paratus".....Always Ready. Indicates, be prepared for all that comes your way through preparation....not a bad lesson for life!
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Matthew Donahue: 1985 - 1990Dependable, courageous, humble, and diligent. These are some of the qualities that the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol looks for in their candidates each year. Alumnus, Matthew Donahue was a guard that optimized what it meant to serve on the beach. He has taken valuable lessons learned during his years with the WCBP and has applied them to his life after the Crest. We are excited that Matthew has been so kind as to share some of his experiences from his time as a Wildwood Crest lifeguard.  What made you join the beach patrol? The challenge of being on such a respected beach patrol and to have the experience of doing something gratifying for summer work that wasn't just for the money but to create life experiences and being around like minded people that pushed physical activity and competition. What are some of your best memories from your years with the WCBP? I think one of the best memories I have of the WCBP was that I opened the door and opportunity for three of my brothers to follow me on the beach patrol. Have always been proud of the fact that for one weekend we were all able to guard together on the beach thanks to the Captain letting me come back a guest guard the Labor Day weekend! Doing the around the island row approximately 8 times with 4 different guards (my brother Glenn, Dave Lindsey, Tom Fredricks, and Linda Kelly. The workouts in the morning were always fun and the camaraderie with the other guards and busting chops was great. Being able to row the van dyne boat through the pylons under the pier near Cresse Ave when Buddy wasn't looking and when there was actually water under the pier then!!!! Going to the race track in AC with Joe Maloy and all the other bad influential Beach tent crew, losing my shirt from bets and have way too much fun on the bus ride up and back and Buddy making us run the rock pile the next morning. By the way, that wasn't me who put John Lincke's stand out at the end of the pier after the Ball! Tell us about your life after the beach. After unfortunately having to depart the beach patrol I entered into the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1991 as a Special Agent. I am currently still with the DEA and have had the opportunity to work in numerous cities in the United States where I conducted criminal Investigations of all levels and be a part of our high risk arrest team. I was assigned to the country of Colombia on two separate occasions and worked throughout south America for 11 of my years with DEA where I served as a Special Agent and the Assistant Regional Director of the Andean Region. I am currently the Special Agent in Charge of DEA's Caribbean Field Division which covers the entire area of the Caribbean from the Bahamas to Barbados. I still get back to the Crest when I can for the summers and really enjoy being on the beach and thinking about the great memories I had there with WCBP and my family. How has the beach patrol impacted your life? I would have to say that the impact of being on the WCBP with my experiences, lessons learned, and things seen while on the Beach Patrol influenced and molded me into the person I am today. Gave me the courage and belief to know I could overcome hurdles and difficulties in life to be successful. Taught me how to get up, brush myself off and move on and learn from the lesson. Being around such a great group of guards and tent crew who all have had various life experiences and come from different backgrounds is an invaluable and incredible opportunity to have while you are pondering life decision you have to make going forward in your life. I was very fortunate to have the Bill, Skip and the Feraco's, Max, Bick, Buddy and may others during those days who always over friendship and guidance. What advice would you give a young guard today? With my life experiences, my travels and the things I have seen and done since life after the beach I would have to say live each day fully and and don't cheat yourself out of one second. What you learn and experience on the beach with your fellow guards are all building blocks for your life to move forward and to prepare you for things that you might never imagine could happen and or experience. No matter how small your task is, irrelevant you might think your assignment is, unimportant you feel things are that day....... realize that you get much more out it it by doing the best you can with care care, tenacity and pride. It is the small things that make you successful and respected. What I learned on the beach is CHARACTER is something you do when no one is watching.... because you do it because you believe it should be done and you can be depended on because of your reputation. Feel fortunate that you are on a team and with a group each summer that maintains a special and unique history that has produced some very successful people in many fields and positions and they all look back on their WCBP days as some of their best in their lives. That should tell you that you have a terrific opportunity being on the WCBP. So live it, love it, give it 100% always and know that someone's life could depend on you at a moments notice, so ALWAYS be ready! Dennis Caponigro: 1956 - 1961To say that alumnus, Dennis Caponigro has lived a pretty incredible life would be an understatement. The former WCBP lifeguard's story takes us from the beach on Columbine Rd. to the Main Line, to the Marine Corp, and eventually a life on the Left Coast. 
 What made you join the beach patrol? From the time I was a few years old, we always spent the summer at Wildwood on Roberts Ave. I learned to swim fairly well, and was a mascot for several lifeguards in the early 50s. I decided to take the test at the Crest because my family preferred the quietness of the Crest community. We lived on Columbine Rd, just a block from the old Beach Tent. I loved the ocean and the beach, doing something that helps people, and earning tuition for college, not to mention getting paid for the opportunity to sit on the beach all day long, and talk to the girls. What are some of your best memories from your years with the WCBP? Lifeguard's Ball, sitting on a stand on Big Beach, the Sun and Surf, and the people with whom I worked. Scoop Taylor, Joe Henry, Dick Sherry, Joe Daley, and Ox McComb were great sounding boards, and...good people. Tell us about your life after the beach? Graduated from Villanova University-Chemistry, tour in the Marine Corps, married a beautiful British lady Edith, and we have 2 wonderful boys, and 5 grandchildren. In 1969 I was lured to California by a Silicon Valley company, Raychem Corporation a Fortune 500 high tech aerospace and military electronics company. Started in R&D, and the company encouraged and sponsored me to get an MBA...which I did from Pepperdine University in Malibu. Progressed from purely technical positions to the business side, in various management positions, and ultimately Division Management. I retired in 1999 after 29 wonderful years, and still live in the San Francisco Bay Area. We spend a lot of time in Carmel and Pebble Beach, and driving my Ferrari along the Pacific Coast Highway. How has the beach patrol impacted your life? Provided an opportunity to meet, and appreciate many different people, and gain an understanding of how to work together for the common good. The beach in those days was probably very different than today, but I would hope the feeling of being part of a family, and making a difference, is still there. What advice would you give a young guard today? Stay in school, stay curious, and always ask questions. This will serve you well for the future. Ben Franklin once said "A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he learns something". Shane Whipkey: 2004 - 2008Alumnus, Shane Whipkey leads off our first ever "Alumni Spotlight". Shane worked for the beach patrol for five summers and is a graduate of Villanova University. He shares some of his favorite memories from his time in the Crest.  What made you join the beach patrol?
Summer job with great people and to stay active all while having fun oh and maybe to talk to girls... What is your best memory from your years with the WCBP? WCBP winning the Beschen-Callahan Races while my mom was in the hospital for breast cancer, it was the first time WCBP had won the races in several years. Chief Buddy Johnson asked me to come up with him to accept the award as the races are in honor of my uncle Mike. Also, the Devils Triangle, LCR, any lifeguard ball, Gum guy, Tri-Woods, and not letting my partner, Ryne Adolph, operate the radio. What are you up to now? Live in New York City and work as a Senior Relationship Manager at Bloomberg L.P. How has the beach patrol impacted your life? Taught me the true meaning of teamwork and camaraderie. I learned how to respect the ocean and to treat the beach patrons with respect. I made some life long friends and have memories and stories to last a lifetime. What advice would you give a young guard today?
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