A Montauk Fire Department/EHVOR combined Ocean Rescue drill. Courtesy of Richard Lewin.
Say the name “Ryan” in East Hampton, and most locals will immediately throw out words like “lifeguard,” “ocean rescue,” or simply “hero.” For nearly 30 years, John Ryan Jr., and his father, John Ryan Sr. (known to most simply as Big John) have championed the cause of water safety in East Hampton. Over several decades, the father and son duo have set out to “drown-proof the community,” doing everything they can to ensure adults and children don’t drown simply because no one
taught them how to swim and conduct themselves in the ocean. Both Ryans are educators by trade and training and put that expertise to work on the sand and in the water. Big John, now 85 years old, had his first lifeguarding job when he was just 16, working at Long Beach in Nassau County, and said that passing the ocean lifeguarding test gave him confidence. After going to college and raising nine children with his wife, Pat, he became certified as an ocean lifeguard again at the age of 45. The Ryan children followed in their father’s footsteps, earning lifeguard certification and spending time working the beach. John Jr. has been the chief lifeguard for the Town of East Hampton since 1991, and John Sr.
Family ties strengthen community ocean safety awareness BY CAILIN RILEY Ryans to the Rescue
Photo by Michael Heller
AFLOAT USA Hamptons Summer 2021 • 53
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