Polar Bear Plunge

From the official Polar Bear Plunge website (http://www.njpolarplunge.org/):

"The annual Seaside Heights Plunge, scheduled for Saturday February 26, 2011, has grown to more than 4,500 participants who travel from as far as California to be a part of the fun. Radio station NJ 101.5’s Big Joe Henry, “the Voice of the Plunge” broadcasts live from the Aztec Ocean Resort, site of the Plunge, with interviews, updates and a countdown to Plunge you won’t want to miss. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the Plunge 101.5scheduled for 1 p.m."

The plunge itself is pretty straightforward. Everyone runs into the water, gets all wet, and then runs out - because it is really cold! Most people wear their swimsuit or their regular "shorts and a t-shirt" swimming gear. A few brave souls wear a costume - and some that do so have been known to get real creative!

Some Details:
Participation - You must be registered
Location - centered off the beach by the Aztec at Boardwalk and Sherman Ave.
Check-in - from 9:00 through 12:30 AM
The Plunge - 1:00 pm
Lunch - 1:15 (if you go for a plunge you and one guest eat for free)

The point behind the plunge at Seaside Heights is to raise money for charity. Each participant pays at least $100 to participate and some, through being sponsored by others, contribute more. All proceeds go to the New Jersey Special Olympics. This event is so popular, the total contributions make a significant difference for this important organization.

Last year.....

21,000 people came out to watch and participate in the 2010 Polar Bear Plunge... On the beach temperatures peaked in the high 40’s while the temperature of the Atlantic Ocean was a brisk 39 degrees.

The plunge... raised nearly $1,000,000 before onsite registration and cash donations were recorded onsite. The event has been a local staple of the offseason for almost two decades.