Kean Ocean Phys Ed Student Rescues Swimmer

Kean Ocean student Joe Swanton went to the beach to surf recently and ended up saving a man’s life.

Swanton is a Kean senior majoring in physical education/health teacher certification and has worked as a Seaside Park lifeguard for six summers. He was at the beach with three fellow off-duty lifeguards on Wednesday, September 14 when they saw a struggling swimmer and jumped in to help.

“We knew the man needed help right when we walked onto the beach. We were able to see he was stuck in a rip current. We saw him struggling, and he started to scream for help,” recalled Swanton, of Toms River.

The rescue took place at M Street Beach in Seaside Park after lifeguards were off duty for the season.

The rescuers paddled quickly out on their surfboards, pulled the distressed swimmer onto a board, and brought him back to shore. Afterward they assessed his condition.

“It felt pretty good after it was all done, and we knew the man was OK,” Swanton said. “It also kind of just felt like another day at work.”

At Kean Ocean, where Swanton is studying to become a health/phys ed teacher and coach, faculty members said his actions were in character.

“I was very proud but not surprised when I heard of Joe's heroic actions that saved a life,” said Lisa Dragon-Szekeres, program coordinator for physical education teacher certification. 

“Joe is conscientious, hard working and a dedicated future professional,” she said. “He is going to be an outstanding educator, a role model that his students can look up to and learn from.” 

Swanton said his coursework at Kean Ocean helped him.

“A few classes at Kean definitely gave me some more confidence with this rescue and just working on the beach,” he said. “I do think this experience will help me in my future because you never know what will happen.”

Swanton graduated from Ocean County College before attending Kean Ocean and is the assistant varsity soccer coach at Toms River High School North, where he went to school and played soccer.

As the rescue unfolded, other beach-goers watched, some posting on social media. 

“I watched these brave lifeguards save a man today,” one post read. “Always there to help, even when they’re off duty.”

The Seaside Park Beach Patrol also posted about Swanton and his buddies.

“Huge shoutout to Seaside Park lifeguards Vinny O’Donnell, Joe Swanton, Danny Moreno and Victor Bonato for being quick to respond to a swimmer in distress even when they were off duty! Stay safe out there everyone!!” the post read.

The rescued swimmer was extremely grateful, Swanton said.

“He just kept thanking us, and his wife gave us a hug,” he said.