OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Beach Patrol’s Annual Captain Schoepf Relay will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 12, beginning in the location of his old stand on 7th Street.
George Schoepf served on the Beach Patrol from 1950 to 1996, at which time he retired after a distinguished career with the Town of Ocean City.
To honor his many years of with the OCBP, this annual relay is held in early June. The relay begins at 7th Street 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 (lifeguards) in touch with the beginning of this world-class organization as they run and swim with an antique piece of lifesaving equipment [the metal buoy] 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, promoted 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 to captain in 1987.
In addition to Schoepf’s service to the Town of Ocean City, he also retired from Wicomico County Schools where he ended his successful career as a teacher and coach at Wicomico High School.