Why is it the Andy Rooney Swim Meet? And who is Andy Rooney in the first place?
Actually, the very popular Swim Meet that will be held Saturday, July 13 in Sea Bright is named for two former mayors of the borough.
Andy Manning was mayor of the borough in 1988 when the first Sea Bright Mile Swim was held as a means of bringing the community together and taking advantage of the borough’s oceanfront location. Manning was only mayor for a year, and was succeeded by Charles Rooney, who served as mayor for the next ten years.
Rooney, an avid swimmer, designed a course to ensure more participants, with a bus taking them to starting and ending points depending on the current so swimmers did not have to swim against the more difficult challenge. He kept the annual swim tradition, expanding it and including both a one mile and two-mile swim.
After Mayor Rooney’s death in 1999, the swim meet faltered a bit, until Rooney’s son, Charlie, then a councilman in Sea Bright, spearheaded a move to keep the annual race a popular event. It was suggested that the name be changed to the Andy Rooney Meet to honor both former mayors and it has remained that ever since. Rooney is general chair of the Swim Meet and also swims in the competition.
Awards are given in the meet to the top five males and top five females in the one mile and two-mile swims, excluding wet-suit wearers. Wet-suit wearers will be in a separate division with awards for the top three overall male and female swimmers.
Registrations must be made online with no paper copy registrations available. Credit cards are accepted. Those who register the day of the event must do it by cellphone before arriving so they can receive an instant email with a chip number which can be picked up upon arrival.
Registration is from 6:45 a.m. until 7:15 a.m. with the first race, the two-mile swim, getting off at 7:30 a.m. The mile swim will start at 8:15 a.m.
For more information visit https://raceforum.com/sbswim
Both swims will start on the south end of the public beach and end in front of Donovan’s. Sea Bright lifeguards will be stationed along the route in the water. Anyone needing assistance, should raise their hands and wave to attract their attention.
Competition is limited to 200 registrants, with the first 125 registered swimmers receiving the event tee shirt.
