Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber Honors 2026 Lifeguards of the Year

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce honored local lifeguards during its annual Lifeguard Awards ceremony recognizing the 10 beach patrols serving the Quiet Resorts area. (Photo courtesy of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce.)

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce recognized the dedication and service of local lifeguards during its annual Lifeguard Awards ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Big Chill Beach Club.

The event honors the men and women who serve the 10 beach patrols throughout the Quiet Resorts area, with each patrol selecting a “Lifeguard of the Year” based on recommendations from patrol captains and peers.

The 2026 Lifeguards of the Year are:

James Degnan, Bethany Beach Patrol
Duncan Proxmire, Delaware State Beach Patrol
Scott Larson, Fenwick Island Beach Patrol
Brooke Kenyon, Middlesex Beach Patrol
Ocean Ruckdeschel, North Bethany Beach Patrol
Helton Young, Ocean Village Beach Patrol
Patrick O’Halloran, Seabreak Beach Patrol
Ethan O’Kelly, Sea Colony Beach Patrol
James Baffone, South Bethany Beach Patrol
Cooper Rhoades, Sussex Shores Beach Patrol

Each honoree received a custom plaque created by Wildfish, LLC, along with a gift card from Clove and Cedar Coffee.

The ceremony also celebrated the accomplishments of the Sussex County Lifesaving Association (SCLA), which placed first for the third consecutive year at the United States Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championship held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the SCLA’s travel to the national competition. During the ceremony, a $2,000 check was presented to SCLA President Matt Farlow, and members of the 2026 SCLA team received commemorative team bandanas.

The annual event is made possible through support from community sponsors, allowing lifeguards to attend at no cost. Big Chill Beach Club served as the presenting sponsor, with additional support from Fells Point Surf Co., Taylor Bank, Banks Wines & Spirits, Law Offices of Scott & Shuman, P.A., Mediacom, PNC Bank, Sea Colony Recreation, Surfin’ Betty’s Burger Bar, Bank of Ocean City, Community Bank Delaware, L&W Insurance, Pelican Property Management, Scherer Financial Advisors, Trendy Shore Boutique, Clove and Cedar Coffeebar, and Gladwyn Financial Advisors.

This year’s event also featured a limited-edition T-shirt sponsored by Fells Point Surf Co. The shirt included the rosters of all 10 patrols, with proceeds from additional shirt sales benefiting the SCLA.

For more information about post-event shirt sales, contact the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce at (302) 539-2100 or info@thequietresorts.com.