"…On the beach you’ll find them there, in the sun and salty air…"
Girls On The Beach - The Beach Boys
"And the winner is… Contestant number….!"
For nearly two decades Batman (Mike Beatty) has spent his Sunday afternoons with dozens of beautiful girls, first at the Sheraton Hotel at 101st St. and, as shown here at The Ocean Club (August, 2003). (photo by Doug Brewington)
For over two decades, those were the words that have ended many a perfect Sunday summer afternoon of sun, fun, and (especially) bikinis on the beach at the Sheraton (now the Clarion Resort), and the Ocean Club.
"…Well I’m a bum in the sun and I’m having fun…"
Beautiful Girls - Van Halen
For most of those two decades, I’ve had the incredibly good fortune to be invited to participate in this traditional celebration of suntans and summer called "The Best Body on the Beach Contest". Yes, I know, it’s a tough job, but somebody has (etc)…
So every Sunday, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, I get up early (OK - noon), attempt to convince my extremely tolerant wife that I consider this work, ("It’s just a job, Cindy"), and head up to the beach for the Sunday festivities.
"…Now I’m a seaside sittin’, just smoking’ and drinkin’, I’m ringside, on top of the world…!"
Beautiful Girls - Van Halen
As far back as most can remember, Dr. Lenny Berger has been the sponsor of what has become one of Ocean City’s longest running and most successful beach promotions. As owner of the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel and the Ocean Club, Dr. Berger has played host to hundreds of Best Body contests, to thousands of Best Body contestants, and to tens of thousands of very eager and appreciative spectators.
Today the summer tradition lives on at the beautiful Ocean Club, on the beach at 49th Street.
But years ago, before the dunes were built to help save our beaches, this event took place at what was then the Sheraton on 101st Street. Taking place on a stage that could be seen over an entire city block, on a wide expanse of OC’s white-sand beach, it was not uncommon for two or three thousand people to point their beach chairs away from the surf and toward the contest to get the best view of this Sunday ritual.
Some estimates put the crowd figure at well over 4000 for the huge final contest on Labor Day weekend.