LONG BEACH — CSEA City of Long Beach Lifeguards Unit President Timothy Cabasino arrived at the beach, thinking he and his wife were going to watch the Long Island Lifeguarding Championship.
Little did Cabasino know that all eyes would soon be on him when he was named the New York State Lifeguard of the Year at the event.
The honor is presented annually at the Long Island Lifeguarding Championship in Smith Point Beach. The award is presented by the Smith Point Lifeguards, a group dedicated to promoting ocean rescue and lifesaving excellence.
The award is one of many recognitions Cabasino has received in his career, which includes 15 Long Island championships and four national titles. He has also represented the United States in four World Lifesaving Championships, competing against top lifeguards from around the world.
Cabasino’s wife asked him to attend the Long Island Lifeguarding Championship under the guise of curiosity as she has never attended.
All the while, she knew her husband would be presented with the award and wanted him to be surprised.
“The guy who was given an award before me was in the Navy, a war veteran, captain of a beach patrol for over 30 years, and is basically Superman,” said Cabasino. “I couldn’t believe that I was being awarded in the same five-minute span as a man who had a lifetime of incredible achievements. I was shocked when they called my name.”
Cabasino began lifeguarding at age 16. Almost 20 years later, and a perfect record with no drownings on his watch, Cabasino continues to lifeguard every summer. During the rest of the year, he is a high school science teacher.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that I am becoming the kind of mentor that other lifeguards were to me when I started,” said Cabasino. “I get the same joy about the summer coming that I used to get when I was 16. I always say that I am a teacher and a ‘beacher.’”
— Wendi Bowie