OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Beach Patrol’s Annual Captain Schoepf Relay will be held at 10 a.m on Sunday, June 9, beginning in the location of his old stand on 7th Street.
George Schoepf served on the beach patrol from 1950 to 1996, after more than 40 years of service to the Town of Ocean City.
To honor his many years of service to OCBP, this annual relay is held in early June. The relay begins at 7th Street, the location of Captain Schoepf’s old stand, and continues with the passing of a classic steel rescue buoy by alumni and current lifeguards to the end of Ocean City. Following the run, a swim the entire length of Ocean City is completed and the buoy is returned to the beach.
Each year the starting leg of the relay is completed by a member of Schoepf’s family or OCBP alumni.
“This annual relay not only reminds everyone involved of the past contributions of George Schoepf, but also of the contribution and sacrifices of all past and present Beach Patrol lifeguards,” said Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin. “It also keeps the current Surf Rescue Technicians in touch with the beginning of this world class organization as they run and swim with an antique piece of lifesaving equipment that was once carried by all Ocean City lifeguards.” Schoepf began his career with the Ocean City Beach Patrol in 1950 and worked his way through the ranks, promoting to sergeant, then to lieutenant. With the approval of the Mayor and City Council, Schoepf became assistant to the captain in the late 1960’s and was appointed captain in 1987.
