Watermen Lifeguard Ambassador Series: Amy White (28), Paramedic & Belmar Beach Patrol Lifeguard
Welcome to the Watermen Lifeguard Ambassador Series. This weeks featured Ambassador is Belmar Beach Patrol Lifeguard, Amy White. We had a chance to interview Amy about her competing in the Around the Cape Row, training routine, heroic rescues, and favorite equipment. Read her interview below:
Hobbies?
Rowing, coaching lacrosse, time with family and friends, & binge watching murder mysteries.
Any Highlights From the Past Year?
This year I learned that true achievement isn’t just medals — it’s challenging limits, lifting others, and leaving a mark beyond the finish line. One of the most powerful examples of that came with the Around the Cape Row, a 15-mile journey around the cape to raise funds for the DeSatnick Foundation. My partner and I finished first in the all-female boat category, pushing through exhaustion, strong currents, and relentless wind to complete the course. Beyond the physical challenge, our team raised the most money overall to win the Sam Jarmer Cup, showing that effort, teamwork, and dedication can make a real impact both on the water and in the community.
Any Big Rescues or Emergencies?
Working in Belmar means constant motion — first aid calls, rescues, missing kids, all on repeat. But I thrive in the chaos. The adrenaline rush of pulling someone out of danger and watching them step back onto the sand alive and safe — that’s why I show up, year after year.
One hot summer afternoon on 17th Ave, I was the senior guard on duty when six teenage boys were suddenly swept out by a powerful mushroom rip alongside the jetty. Moments earlier, my partners had just returned from rescuing two girls, but there was no time to rest — these boys were being pulled past the breakers fast.
Instinct kicked in. I sent two guards with torps into the water and immediately called for backup over the radio. Once reinforcements were on their way, I coordinated a plan: guards north of the jetty would swim a line to receive the swimmers as we brought them across. With my stand covered, I grabbed a paddle board and paddled out to direct the rescue and support my crew.
That’s when I saw two boys still being swept out, beyond everyone else. My guards were already loaded with swimmers, so I paddled ahead. One boy was calm enough to stay afloat, but his friend was panicking and shouting that he couldn’t hold on. I locked eyes with him, telling him that I was coming and he needed to hang on just a little longer. Seconds later I reached him, pulled him onto my board, and steadied him until his breathing slowed. I circled back for his friend, got both boys secured on the board, and paddled them toward the lifeguard swimming the line. Making sure every victim was accounted for, I paddled in to shore alongside the rescue. All six boys made it to shore safely. It was a fast, coordinated, and relentless rescue — but also the kind of team rescue that reminds you why this job matters.
What Is Your Training Routine?
My training routine is designed to challenge both my body and mind. A typical week includes a mix of ocean workouts, strength training, and endurance sessions. I spend time in the surf practicing rescues, rowing, and paddling to stay sharp in real conditions. Also, supplement that with weightlifting and core work on land to maintain overall strength.
I also focus on team drills and coordination, because being a lifeguard isn’t just about individual fitness — it’s about moving seamlessly with others when every second counts. Even on rest days, I try to stay connected to the water. Whether it’s swimming, yoga, or just observing the surf to learn from it. Training isn’t just preparation for rescues or competitions. It’s a lifestyle that keeps me ready, resilient, and constantly growing as a Waterman.
What Is Your Favorite Equipment?
My favorite piece of equipment is the boat — every row is a workout, a challenge, and an adventure. For gear, I rely on UV sun shirts from Waterman to keep me protected and performing at my best.
What Does Watermen Mean to You?
To me, being a Waterman is more than just skill in the ocean — it’s a way of life. It means having respect for the water in all its forms: calm, unpredictable, and sometimes unforgiving. A true Waterman isn’t just strong or fast; they’re adaptable, resilient, and deeply connected to the ocean.
It requires a balance between confidence and humility. Knowing when to push yourself and when to step back and let the ocean remind you of its power. It’s about protecting others, sharing knowledge, and honoring the traditions of those who came before us.
As a lifeguard, being a Waterman means showing up every day ready to serve. It’s about using skill, instinct, and teamwork not just to navigate the water, but to keep others safe in it. To me, it’s the highest standard we can strive for — not just as lifeguards, but as people who dedicate our lives to the sea.
To me, a Waterman is someone who respects the ocean, lives in rhythm with it, and uses their skills to protect others. It’s not just strength in the water — it’s humility, resilience, and a commitment to serve.
Check out Amy White on Instagram: 23amywhite
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