Anyone coming to Long Beach Island who just cannot wait to get in the water usually heads straight to Ship Bottom, just over the Causeway. It is there, on Seventh Street, where those swimmers have likely encountered lifeguard veteran Rick Zanes, or “Z-Man,” before wading out over the luxurious sandbar.
His chair is difficult to miss, as there is usually an entourage of friendly faces surrounding it. Zanes is sure to befriend everyone under his watch. At 65, Zanes is now finishing up his 12th season lifeguarding in Ship Bottom, and has earned his place as a respected elder.
Lifeguarding is often a teenager’s first job. Zanes, however, pursued lifeguarding after retirement, during what he calls the best summer of his life. Why? Because he wasdared to.
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