Rehoboth Beach Patrol names award winners

As the summer season nears its close, the Rehoboth Beach Patrol has recognized several staff members for their leadership, lifesaving skills and athleticism. 

Lt. Jake Pangle of Camden was voted by his colleagues as the 2021 Lifeguard of the Year. He is a five-year member of the beach patrol. 

“Jake is a ‘walk the walk, talk the talk’ kind of leader,” said Rehoboth Beach Patrol Capt. Jeff Giles, noting that Pangle has demonstrated confidence, reliability, empathy, dedication, and an ability to work and connect with the public and his colleagues. “He exemplifies what we want in the Rehoboth Beach Patrol.”

Alicia Lenoir of Wilmington and James Kramer of Dover received Jeff Cannon Lifesaving Awards for their assistance to a man who was motionless in the water and losing consciousness after striking his head on the ocean floor July 6. 

Rookie guard and Villanova University student James Klein of Ramsey, N.J., won a $1,000 Dave Reynolds scholarship based on the essay he wrote on what it means to be a part of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol.

Bryon Rimmer of Hatfield, Pa., was named Rookie of the Year; he earned the highest score in the annual Rookie Test, a two-day, 10-event competition among this year’s 22 rookies.

Rimmer, a sophomore at State University of New York’s Maritime College, aspires to join the U.S. Navy in special warfare operations. The Rookie of the Year competition has been a Rehoboth Beach Patrol tradition since 1975.