Boothbay Harbor police officer Larry Brown does good deeds and he likes to have fun doing it.

On March 1, in celebration of his upcoming St. Patrick’s Day birthday and for the third straight year, Brown and Boothbay Region YMCA Dolphin swimmer Hannah Hills faced off in another competition.

It all started in 2019 when the then 12-year-old Hills and Brown, who will be 69 March 17, challenged each other to a mile-swim, which Hills won going away. Last year, the competition was held in the Y pool, but because Brown was having shoulder issues and could not swim, it was a pool run, where other Dolphins participated. Brown gave each participant an embroidered wool cap.

This year’s competition, with Brown’s shoulder recovered after surgery and physical therapy, the swim battle was back on.

“I spoke with Hannah and told her my goal was to be able to swim 50 yards against her in the pool in March. She and her parents (Y swim coaches Mike and Heather Hills) were supportive and liked the idea. My surgery and rehab has gone very well. I credit being able to do my rehab in the therapy pool and sauna as the main reason, along with PT with Jim Stevens,” said Brown.

To give Brown a chance, the young swimmer agreed to swim 75 yards while the recovered swimmer would swim 50 yards. Over the weekend, Brown said he still expected to “get smoked” by Hills.

However, before the competition, Brown and Hills had a timed “warm-up” session on Monday.

“He beat me by four seconds,” said Hills, a Boothbay Region High School freshman, on Tuesday. “I have been thinking about that all day.”

As fellow Dolphin swimmers showed up for state meet practice and to witness the Brown vs. Hills competition, Brown said he felt blessed to be able to compete against a teenager.

“Hannah and the whole Dolphin squad have done great things this season and I hope they do well at the state meet in Bath this coming weekend,” said Brown.

Before the grand event, Brown explained to the swimmers the history behind the friendly rivalry. And in his way of being a kind public servant, with the assistance of Harbor Apparel, Brown presented each swimmer with a gym style swim bag.

With Brown at the shallow end of pool, and Hills on a block at the deep end, Dolphin coach Zach Gray blew the starting whistle.

With Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch, Hasch’s administrative assistant Diane Joyal, Fire Chief Nick Upham and family up in the balcony cheering the competitors on, Brown cruised through the first length of the pool. Hills made up some time when Brown turned to finish his 50 yards. Hills did her best, but Brown extended his winning time on Monday to just under six seconds. Brown’s 50-yard time was 41.96 and Hills’ 75-yard time was 47.27.

Brown and Hills celebrated with a high-five at the finish.

What will be the competition next year? We’re sure Brown will be back to defend his win and celebrate another birthday.