Ray Licata Memorial Swim a Reminder of Beach Safety

It has been eight years since Ray Licata, a community activist and member of the Long Branch swim community, died unexpectedly late one summer afternoon following his routine ocean swim.

The committee members of the Ray Licata Memorial Swim will continue to honor Licata's memory on Sunday Aug. 19 with the annual One Mile Ocean Swim at Pier Village in Long Branch.

Returning this year will be the One Mile Walk-Along that will allow families, friends, and beachgoers to walk the swim route on the Long Branch boardwalk. The One Mile Swim and accompanying Walk-Along will commence at 8 a.m. with registration opening at 6:30 a.m. 

Licata served as an administrator for the Monmouth County Division of Social Services for 34 years before retiring in 2002. He also volunteered for the 9/11 Memorial Project and the Deal Lake Commission. 

Licata was an avid swimmer and often patrolled the beach collecting 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," a release from the Ray Licata Memorial Swim Committee. "Fulfilling Ray’s vision, the annual swim will enter its eighth successive year."

Committee Chair and Race Director Glen Rassas said he is excited about the prospect of drawing more attendees to this year's swim.

"We are looking forward to another successful event anticipating nearly 300 swimmers participating in the One Mile," Rassas said. "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 used to support beach safety as well as a junior lifeguard program. The junior lifeguard program in its fourth year of support from the Ray Licata Memorial Swim and 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,” Rassas said. "We are proud to have junior lifeguard graduates participating as lifeguards for the City of Long Branch."

The swim co-sponsored by the Long Branch Department of Recreation and has raised over $49,000 over the last seven years. Funds have been used by the city to purchase two certified lifeboats, a portable defibrillator, a Jet Ski and an ATV.

For more information please visit the event website at www.RayLicataMemorialSwim.com