10th Annual Ray Licata Memorial Swim at Pier Village

It has been ten years since Ray Licata, community activist and member of the Long Branch swim community, died unexpectedly late one summer afternoon following his routine ocean swim. To continue to honor Ray’s memory, over all these years, the committee members of the Ray Licata Memorial Swim have announced that the annual One Mile Ocean Swim, Walk-Along, and return of the Fun Swim will be held on Sunday August 17, 2014 at Pier Village in Long Branch, NJ. Swimmers and non-swimmers alike are welcome. The One Mile Walk-Along gives everyone a chance to participate. Families, friends, and beachgoers can walk the swim route on the beach front as swimmers swim the one mile water course. The Fun Swim gives future swimmers an opportunity to take to the water as well. This year’s events will commence at 8:00 AM with registration opening at 6:30 AM.

The One Mile Swim, Walk-Along, and Fun Swim memorializes the untimely passing of Ray Licata, who as a Jersey Shore resident loved the beach and always did his part to support shoreline safety. Ray served as an Administrator for the Monmouth County Division of Social Services for 34 years, retiring in 2002. He also volunteered for the 9/11 Memorial Project and Deal Lake Commission.

As an avid swimmer, he knew the West End waters well. Ray took care of the beach. He could often be seen collecting unsightly trash, providing instruction to young children during their first experiences in the ocean, and occasionally helping with rescue efforts. He recognized the importance of the lifeguard’s role and commented shortly before his death about organizing an Ocean Mile Swim in Long Branch. Fulfilling Ray’s vision, the annual swim will enter its tenth successive year. The Ray Licata Memorial Swim Committee Members are enthusiastic about continuing the Walk-Along, which allows many more people to participate in this community event. “We are looking forward to another successful event honoring our 10 year anniversary and anticipating nearly 300 swimmers participating in the One Mile,” commented Glen Rassas, the event Director. We would like to encourage everyone to come out: swim or walk along the swim route, and support the Long Branch beachfront community.”

Proceeds from this year’s community event will be earmarked to support beach safety as well as the City’s junior lifeguard program. The junior lifeguard program--in its sixth year of support from the Ray Licata Memorial Swim, will teach children and adolescents the basic requirements of beachfront safety, swimming, and lifeguard skills. “It is our hope to give young members of our community, particularly those who do not have the financial resources to enroll in such a program, an opportunity to learn how to promote ocean safety and potentially become a member of the Long Branch lifeguard team,” commented Rassas. “We are proud to have junior lifeguard graduates participating as lifeguards for the City of Long Branch.”

About the Ray Licata Memorial Swim:

Organized by local residents of Monmouth County, the Ray Licata Memorial Swim is co-sponsored by the Long Branch Department of Recreation. Over the past eight years, the swim has raised over $64,000. Funds have been used by the City of Long Branch for two certified lifeboats, a portable defibrillator, a Jet Ski, beach rescue equipment, two ATV’S, and a floating wheelchair. All of this equipment is now available and in use to protect the many residents, vacationers, and visitors to the Long Branch beachfront. Since its inception 10 years ago, the Ray Licata Memorial Swim committee has worked to improve the quality of the event. This year, the event will utilize computerized chip timing. Over the last few years, the event has evolved and now includes special swimmer recognitions.

The swim now begins and ends at Pier Village. Hundreds of spectators every year enjoy the opportunity to look on and participate in the day’s activity. Members of the Organizing Committee include: Glen Rassas, Ray Licata, Jr., Irwin Mizrahi, Lisa Ferrigno, Mark Levy, Theresa Licata McConnell, Ali Dadmarz, Joe Ferragina, Dale Mortenson, Barbara Dweck, and Jeanne Zucker.

For more information refer to the event website www.RayLicataMemorialSwim.com

Photo by Ed Anastasio/Courtesy of Ray Licata Memorial Swim