It was a shore thing. On Saturday, volunteers hit the beaches from Sandy Hook to Cape May for Clean Ocean Action’s slightly stalled Beach Sweeps.

On April Fool’s Day, for the first time in its 38-year history, the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps was cancelled in the morning due to unpredicted, dangerous weather that was no joke.  

The event was rescheduled; and, on Saturday, thousands of dedicated volunteers returned for the rescheduled Beach Sweeps with an added feature — a coveted Roster of the Ridiculous photo contest capturing the most unusual treasure of trash item swept off the beaches. 

“While certainly one of the most challenging Beach Sweeps to date, it affirms two powerful truths. First never schedule an event on April Fool’s Day; you’re tempting fate. Second, and most importantly, towns, beach captains, junior beach captains volunteers, and the cast of thousands that make Beach Sweeps possible are true-blue and passionate about protecting the marine environment. It is truly one of the most inspiring Beach Sweeps since 1985, and testament to the power of the people.” 

Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf

“As COA’s first Debris Free Sea Coordinator, it has been a wave of nothing but positive emotions from the very first day I started. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I dove in headfirst to start planning one of COA’s largest events and after today, all I can say is ‘WOW’. It has been a whirlwind of an adventure and I am so grateful to work with a crew that never stops, beach captains that are more dedicated than I knew, sponsors who thoroughly believe in the work COA is doing, and volunteers who are True-Blue Defenders to the very core! After today, I feel even more inspired to continue making a difference for our beaches and the ocean.”

Kira Cruz, Debris Free Sea Coordinator.   

Clean Ocean Action appreciates its long-standing volunteers.

Here are some seen at the area beaches on Saturday …

At Loch Arbor beach, the scene was a beach party with volunteers, helpers, buckets, pooches, and Beach Boys tunes. 

Sandy Hook volunteers showed up from as far away as Bergen County and Chicago. 

Sandy Hook, Lot C volunteers, local and those who commuted to clean the seas! 

• Data was collected for the 2023 Spring Beach Sweeps! 

Roster of the Ridiculous Photo Contest 

One of the most publicly recognized sections of the Beach Sweeps reports is the Roster of the Ridiculous. The roster is a list that includes some of the strangest item discoveries during the Beach Sweeps. 

From items as out of place as Jell-O molds to items as large as a lawn mower, the 2022 Roster was a reminder that everything leads to the ocean, and the things we get rid of do not disappear but become smaller or wash-up somewhere else.  

One of COA’s newest staff members, Debris Free Sea Coordinator, Kira Cruz decided to highlight the 2023 Roster of the Ridiculous segment with a photo contest. 

Volunteers submitted what they considered the most “ridiculous” items they discovered during their cleanup. After COA chooses the top five items, the public will be left to vote for number one across all our social media platforms. The winner will get a spotlight feature in the 2023 Beach Sweeps report and win a COA prize.  

Found for the Roster were, among other things, a buoy, a shopping cart, and a tent.

“Waves of thanks to all our wonderful, passionate volunteers, from the small to the tall, who participated in today’s Beach Sweeps! Together we can all make a difference for a cleaner, healthier ocean to be enjoyed by generations to come simply by picking up litter whenever and wherever we see it. Each of us doing our part is how we continue making waves of change!” 

Kari Martin, Advocacy Campaign Manager

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