54 Lifeguards Conquer Jellyfish-Filled Waters in Cape May Point Challenge

Issue #757

July 25, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🕵54 Lifeguards Conquer Jellyfish-Filled Waters in Cape May Point Challenge

⛵Historic Queen Maysea Coronation Continues a 93-Year Cape May Tradition

🎭Parkway, Expressway, and Airport Projects Signal Big Changes Ahead

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Survivors of Cancer

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 July 25

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54 Lifeguards Conquer Jellyfish-Filled Waters in Cape May Point Challenge

Cape May Point's annual Women's Lifeguard Challenge lived up to its reputation as one of the East Coast's toughest all-women endurance races on July 22, with an unexpected obstacle making this year's competition even more demanding: swarms of jellyfish.

Despite battling strong currents and repeated stings throughout the race, 54 female lifeguards from 17 beach patrols completed the grueling event at St. Pete's Beach in Cape May Point.

Competitors tackled a 1.25-mile run on soft sand, a one-mile paddleboard leg in the Delaware Bay, another 550-meter beach run, and finished with a 500-meter open-water swim.

Sea Girt Beach Patrol's Ivy Slavinski captured the individual championship in just under 26 minutes, earning her first victory after previously finishing second in the event. Her experience navigating the challenging currents helped her improve on previous performances, while Sea Girt teammate Skylar O'Keefe placed fifth overall to secure the team championship.

While the demanding course is known for testing endurance and lifesaving skills, this year's widespread jellyfish added an entirely new level of difficulty. Many competitors finished the race covered in stings after paddling and swimming through large concentrations of jellyfish, conditions race organizers said had never occurred during the event's previous 17 editions.

Despite the painful conditions, participants praised the supportive atmosphere among competitors and the camaraderie shared between beach patrols from across New Jersey and neighboring states.

The annual challenge, organized by the Cape May Point Beach Patrol, is considered one of the premier all-women's lifeguard endurance competitions on the East Coast. The event brings together elite female lifeguards to test their fitness, rescue skills, and determination while celebrating leadership and teamwork within the lifesaving community.

 

Ocean City Combines Patriotism and Holiday Spirit for 71st Night in Venice

 The City of Cape May is preparing to celebrate one of its longest-running traditions with the 93rd Annual Coronation of Queen Maysea, scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Avenue.

The free community event honors a tradition that has been part of Cape May for more than nine decades. Families, residents, and visitors are invited to attend the evening ceremony as the new Queen Maysea and her court are officially crowned.

The Queen Maysea program is open to year-round resident girls between the ages of 6 and 10 who live in the Greater Cape May area.  Following the coronation, Queen Maysea and her court will continue the tradition by appearing on a float during Cape May's annual Baby Parade.

Parkway, Expressway, and Airport Projects Signal Big Changes Ahead

 South Jersey is poised for a series of major transportation improvements that will affect highways, public transit, and regional air travel over the next several years. State transportation officials recently outlined plans for upgrades to the Garden State Parkway, Atlantic City Expressway, and Atlantic City International Airport during a transportation forum hosted by the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce.

Among the most significant proposals is the conversion of four Garden State Parkway exits closer to home in Cape May County into full four-way interchanges. The projects include Exit 6 in North Wildwood, Exit 13 serving Avalon and Swainton, Exit 17 serving Sea Isle City, and Exit 20 in Upper Township. Exits 13 and 20 are currently in the preliminary design phase, while planning for Exits 6 and 17 remains in the early stages. No construction timeline or cost estimate has been announced.

Officials said the expanded interchanges would improve traffic flow between the Parkway and local communities, particularly during the busy summer tourism season. However, there are no plans to extend the Parkway's existing three-lane configuration farther south into Cape May County.

The Atlantic City Expressway is also scheduled for a major expansion. The South Jersey Transportation Authority plans to add a third lane in each direction between Winslow Township and the western end of the Expressway near Hammonton, beginning in the summer of 2027.

Atlantic City International Airport is also seeing continued investment and expansion. Following the arrival of Allegiant Air and Breeze Airways earlier this year, officials are working to secure daily American Airlines service between Atlantic City and Charlotte, North Carolina. The proposed route depends on a federal U.S. Department of Transportation service grant, with a decision expected by September.

Additional airport improvements include an $8.8 million federally funded Taxiway R Phase 3 project, a $5.2 million cargo and autonomous vehicle development project, and $4.8 million in terminal upgrades funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Plans also call for the redevelopment of approximately 400 acres of airport property for commercial aviation and technology-related businesses.

Cape May Airport is preparing for a $6.5 million drone technology center that will support unmanned aircraft companies, while South Jersey Regional Airport is undergoing runway and taxiway improvements to meet updated Federal Aviation Administration safety standards.

To improve regional mobility, the South Jersey Transportation Authority has also launched the free SJ Connects shuttle program. Funded through a $5 million NJ Transit grant, the pilot service connects residents in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties with employment centers, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, retail destinations, government services, and NJ Transit hubs.

Together, the projects represent one of the largest waves of transportation investment in South Jersey in recent years, with billions of dollars dedicated to improving highways, airports, and regional transit.

What is the name of the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center located in Cape May, which serves as the only enlisted recruit training facility for the U.S. Coast Guard?

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 Answer to the July 23rd Trivia Question

Cape May's Washington Street Mall is known for which of the following?

A) Amusement park rides
B) A historic open-air shopping district
C) The oldest winery in New Jersey
D) A famous pier for fishing

Answer: B) A historic and festive open-air shopping district.

Washington Street Mall is a popular open-air shopping district in Cape May, known for its quaint shops, restaurants, and boutiques. It’s a favorite spot for both locals and tourists, offering a charming and historic atmosphere​

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