OCBP already planning for next year

This year’s beach season is coming to end, but the Ocean City Beach Patrol already has their eyes set on next year. Saturday the beach patrol held it’s final outdoor test of the year for those interested in joining the patrol in 2016.

Conditions on the beach were rough, causing the waters to be extremely choppy. However as Capt. Butch Arbin of the beach patrol put it, the tough conditions ensure only the best applicants will pass. 

“At the end of the day we’re only hiring the best you know you deserve that, everybody that hears this and sees this deserves the best,” Arbin said. “If I would not trust them to guard someone I love, someone in my family, I’m not going to trust them to guard the people that come to Ocean City on vacation.”

The day long test starts with a grueling 300 meter timed run through the sand that Arbin said eliminates half the group.    

After that Arbin said more tests are given throughout the day before those still standing have an interview with him.    

If Arbin gives the okay, he said those applicants will then be admitted into the Surf Rescue Academy next summer for a chance to become part of the Beach Patrol.