Hampton Beach lifeguards honored for ‘unwavering commitment’
HAMPTON — The Hampton Beach lifeguards will be recognized next week for making 456 rescues last summer, including responding to a small plane crash near the shore.
The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce is presenting the crew with its “President’s Award” at its annual awards dinner on Jan. 25.
“The Seacoast community is very fortunate to have amazing lifeguards,” said John Nyhan, president of the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce. “The dedicated team of individuals is made up of 81 lifeguards ranging from ages 16 to 70... Their unwavering commitment and remarkable achievements deserve to be celebrated.”
The annual awards ceremony at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, Massachusetts, will also honor Winnacunnet High School with its “Faith in the Future” award and the Route 1 eatery Wing-Itz with the “Business of the Year” award.
Nyhan selected the Hampton Beach lifeguards for this year’s President’s Award for keeping hundreds of thousands of beach visitors safe each year.
Nyhan said these talented young athletes are hardworking, dedicated and selfless.
Just last summer, guards found 213 missing children, helped 255 disabled individuals access the beach, as well as made 456 lifesaving rescues while often putting their own lives at risk in rough water and currents. They also responded to a hovercraft that “beached itself” on June 17 and a small plane crash carrying a banner that plunged into the ocean on July 29.
“In under a minute, lifeguards reached the pilot, then they pulled the small plane out of the water with just a rope,” Nyhan said.
Nyhan said the guards are also community-oriented, always willing to go the extra mile to help out in local events like this year’s mini Air Show that took place off the shores of Hampton Beach.
“Any time I’ve asked (chief lifeguard) Patrick Murphy for help, he’s always cooperative,” Nyhan said. “And rarely, if ever, do you hear complaints about their behavior.”
Nyhan said the guards are especially good with children, like their involvement each year at the Hampton Beach Children’s Festival. For Nyhan, one of the best examples of the lifeguards’ interaction is when they sit down with a group of kids on the beach and share ice cream and stories about why they became lifeguards.
“I see the lifeguards in action all the time,” Nyhan said. “Not only do they put their own lives on the line to help others, but they’re true ambassadors of Hampton Beach.”
Wing-Itz named Business of the Year
Nyhan said this year’s prestigious Business of the Year award goes to Wing-Itz restaurant.
Not only does the “trendy sports bar” offer excellent quality food and a fun atmosphere, but Nyhan said owner Derek Fisher and family go above and beyond for the community.
“They’ve expanded to other locations, but they always look at Hampton as their major restaurant,” Nyhan said.
Since opening their Hampton location in 2021, Nyhan said they have supported several local organizations, such as the North Hampton School, Seacoast Family Food Pantry, Great Bay Community College, The New Hampshire Coalition for the Support of Service Dogs, as well as hosting a benefit concert for the firefighters annual toy drive.
“Derek and his family truly do make an enormous effort to give back to the community,” Nyhan said.
Faith in the Future award goes to Winnacunnet High School
Nyhan said the chamber’s Faith in the Future award goes to the high school’s Extended Learning Opportunity program.
The program founded in 2013 by Donna Couture allows students to pursue their interests beyond a traditional classroom learning setting.
“It’s a way for students to gain knowledge and experience in a handson way,” Nyhan said. “Students can research and pursue topics that they are truly passionate about, while also earning school credits for it.”
Over the past years, more than 250 WHS students have taken part in internships that allowed students to work with professionals in fields they’re interested in, and get a feel for what it’s like in that industry.
“(They) have arranged some amazing opportunities for students through internships,” Nyhan said.
Tickets are still available for awards dinner
Nyhan said the last award to be handed out during the ceremony is the Volunteer of the Year award. The recipient of that award is being kept a secret until the night of the awards dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 25.
The keynote speaker at the dinner will be Taylor Caswell, New Hampshire’s commissioner of Business and Economic Affairs.
For those wishing to attend, there are still tickets left. Tickets cost $50 per person and include cocktails and dinner. They can be purchased via the Chamber’s website at www.hamptonchamber.com.