The 2011 South Jersey Life Guard Racing season got underway Sunday, July 10 at the 40th annual Capt. Michael D. McGrath Memorials in Longport.

The Ventnor City beach patrol won the team competition with 71 points, topping a field that included Margate City (67), Longport (67), Atlantic City (52), and Brigantine (42).

Dave Funk and Mike Tripician of the Ventnor City beach patrol combined efforts to win the event-opening doubles row. They were followed by Ashton Funk and Chuck Gowdy of Margate, who took second place 12 seconds back. Rounding out the top three finishers were Rob Canavan and Vine Sera of Brigantine.

Completing the top five were Michael Murphy and Mike Flanagan of Atlantic City and Tom Kresz and Tim Schwegman of Longport.

Bob Ballance captured the swimming portion of the event for the hometown Longport beach patrol. He was followed, in order of finish, by Justin Rau (Atlantic City), Victor Gianinni (Longport), Michael Brooks (Brigantine), Carson Rau (Atlantic City), Mackenzie Howarth (Ventnor City), Max Mittelman (Longport), Mike McMenamin (Ventnor City), Tyler Rau (Atlantic City), and Kailey Slider (Brigantine).

Margate’s Ashton Funk won the singles row, crossing the line 10 seconds before runner-up Sean Duffey of Longport. Dave Funk of Ventnor City took third place, 17 seconds off of Ashton Funk’s pace. Mike Santangelo of Atlantic City finished fourth and Ron Henry of Brigantine took fifth place.

The races were originally scheduled on Friday, but were postponed when large thunderstorms moved through the area. The races were held Sunday under bright skies, calm waters and with a slight breeze.