NEW YORK—Police officers and firefighters from all over the world caught waves and soaked in some sun as part of a surfing competition in the Rockaways on Wednesday and Thursday.
The surfing event was one of 69 sporting contests of the 2011 World Police and Fire Games. This year’s competition, which will wrap up on Sept. 5, has drawn 17,000 athletes.
“It was great to gather with our brothers from other countries,” said Paul Camelleri, a firefighter from Australia. “Normally we’re together in a stressful environment, either a fire or an emergency, and it’s good to be together just for fun.”
The surfing competition was divided into men’s and women’s brackets in short and longboard events. Athletes from Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Australia, Portugal, Ireland, and Norway joined those from the United States.
Glenn DiResto, a retired NYPD lieutenant, said that many call the games “the battle of the badges.”
The surfing event was one of 69 sporting contests of the 2011 World Police and Fire Games. This year’s competition, which will wrap up on Sept. 5, has drawn 17,000 athletes.
“It was great to gather with our brothers from other countries,” said Paul Camelleri, a firefighter from Australia. “Normally we’re together in a stressful environment, either a fire or an emergency, and it’s good to be together just for fun.”
The surfing competition was divided into men’s and women’s brackets in short and longboard events. Athletes from Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Australia, Portugal, Ireland, and Norway joined those from the United States.
Glenn DiResto, a retired NYPD lieutenant, said that many call the games “the battle of the badges.”
The competition is held in good spirits, and most athletes take bragging rights for the police or fire sides more seriously than individual achievement.
“It’s nice to see because it’s a friendly competition,” DiResto said.
According to DiResto, the Rockaways is home to many employees of the NYPD and FDNY. The local beach is a natural attraction for those who like to surf.
To Tom Reyes, 55, a police officer for 28 years and a surfer for more than 40, the waves are second nature. Reyes won the Grandmaster long board competition in Malibu. Reyes and his wife, Sue, traveled from Honolulu, Hawaii, to New York on an anniversary trip.
“It’s all good fun,” said Joe Clark, 51, a police officer with the Santa Cruz, Calif., sheriff’s department for 28 years. “It’s a treat to come here.”
Clark traveled with his wife, Marilyn, and daughter, Riley, to visit the city and participate in the games.
The waves were favorable on Wednesday, and the heats went on until 6 p.m.; however, slower winds cut the competition short on Thursday. As results were tallied and the prize podium set up, the athletes and their families enjoyed burgers and fries at the boardwalk cafe. The medal ceremony was an opportunity to give thanks and congratulate each other.
“The people who come here are extraordinary,” said Pete Blum of FDNY, the host of the awards ceremony.
Blum gave an example of an overseas firefighter losing his luggage and surfboard on his flight to New York. When the firefighter arrived empty-handed, his colleagues found him a board to compete with and a place to stay.
For Bobby Calabrese, a retired police officer from Suffolk County, the competition was an opportunity to come back to the neighborhood that he used to serve and protect.
Calabrese worked in the Rockaways for 20 years. After 17 years of retirement, he heard about the surfing competition, which is a first for New York City, and his son urged him to participate. He took the hint and ended up placing third in the Grandmaster longboard competition.
“It felt good!” he said.
“It’s nice to see because it’s a friendly competition,” DiResto said.
According to DiResto, the Rockaways is home to many employees of the NYPD and FDNY. The local beach is a natural attraction for those who like to surf.
To Tom Reyes, 55, a police officer for 28 years and a surfer for more than 40, the waves are second nature. Reyes won the Grandmaster long board competition in Malibu. Reyes and his wife, Sue, traveled from Honolulu, Hawaii, to New York on an anniversary trip.
“It’s all good fun,” said Joe Clark, 51, a police officer with the Santa Cruz, Calif., sheriff’s department for 28 years. “It’s a treat to come here.”
Clark traveled with his wife, Marilyn, and daughter, Riley, to visit the city and participate in the games.
The waves were favorable on Wednesday, and the heats went on until 6 p.m.; however, slower winds cut the competition short on Thursday. As results were tallied and the prize podium set up, the athletes and their families enjoyed burgers and fries at the boardwalk cafe. The medal ceremony was an opportunity to give thanks and congratulate each other.
“The people who come here are extraordinary,” said Pete Blum of FDNY, the host of the awards ceremony.
Blum gave an example of an overseas firefighter losing his luggage and surfboard on his flight to New York. When the firefighter arrived empty-handed, his colleagues found him a board to compete with and a place to stay.
For Bobby Calabrese, a retired police officer from Suffolk County, the competition was an opportunity to come back to the neighborhood that he used to serve and protect.
Calabrese worked in the Rockaways for 20 years. After 17 years of retirement, he heard about the surfing competition, which is a first for New York City, and his son urged him to participate. He took the hint and ended up placing third in the Grandmaster longboard competition.
“It felt good!” he said.
Friends Read Free