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Plunging into frigid ocean waters with nothing more than a bathing suit on is not necessarily something that a person would do willingly. Unless of course, you are one of thousands of participants taking part in the five plunges that are planned in Cape May County, New Jersey in the next four months. Whatever your reason is to willfully run into a freezing ocean during the winter months, there are some benefits, both entertaining and charitable, to taking the plunge.
How about getting together with your friends? Plan to make it a weekend stay in Sea Isle City for the Polar Bear Plunge set for Feb. 15-17. Revelers have been taking the bitter cold dip in the ocean waters of Sea Isle for more than 25 years. It is not all about the plunge on this third weekend in February. There is plenty to do so plan to be busy from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.
The official plunge will take place on Saturday, Feb. 16 on the beach between 38th and 40th Sts. beginningwith a costume contest at 12 p.m. at LaCosta Complex at JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue followed by the Plunge at 2 p.m. www.lacosta-seaisle.com www.seaislechamber.com or www.lacosta-seaisle.com
Sea Isle’s plunge weekend ends on a charitable note on Sunday, Feb. 17 with Mike’s Seafood 5K Run and 1.5-Mile Fun Walk for Autism at 12 p.m. on the city’s promenade. Registration will take place at 9 a.m. at LaCosta. You can also pre-register by visiting www.polarbearrunwalkforautism.
For some participants, plunging for a charitable cause makes the dip into the freezing temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean a little more doable. One such event is the Fallen Heroes Plunge which helps to raise funds for families of police officers lost in the line of duty.
Fallen Heroes Plunge weekend is Feb. 22-23 in North Wildwood. The official plunge takes place on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 11 a.m. at 16th St. and the beach. Weekend activities also include a pizza party on Friday, Feb. 22 and a post plunge party at Keenan’s Irish Pub located at 113 Olde New Jersey Ave. at Noon on Saturday, Feb. 23. Participants can preregister at www.fallenheroplunge2019 or on the day of the plunge at the 15th St. Lifeguard Station beginning at 8:45 a.m. www.FallenHeroPlunge.com
Stone Harbor’s Shiver Weekend set for Mar. 15-16 invites plungers to take a frigid dip in the ocean to benefit Family Promise of Cape May County, a charity that supports, counsels and works to place homeless parents and children in permanent homes.
The Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce has planned a weekend of events beginning Friday night at the Pre-Shiver Party at The Reeds at Shelter Haven located at 96th St. and Third Ave. For a $20 entry fee, enjoy a delicious buffet, a cash bar and a gift auction.
Fred’s Tavern will host a “Kegs & Eggs” breakfast on Saturday, Mar. 16 before the race. Plungers will receive a Shiver swag bag that includes a Shiver tee or hoodie and are encouraged to wear costumes and/or create a float to commemorate the Shiver. A Deejay will even play a theme song at your request; activities will begin at 12 p.m. at the parking lot at 96th St. and the beach. The official plunge begins at 1:15 p.m. After the plunge, it is back to Fred’s Tavern at 314 96th St. for a post-Shiver party. Visit www.stoneharborbeach.com to register for the Shiver and find a list of activities for the weekend.
In Ocean City, event organizers put a twist on the traditional ocean plunge. The Business Persons Plunge, as it is called, requires that participants wear business attire and carry a brief case. Rather than jumping in, participants march into the ocean from the shoreline at the beginning of Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate the opening of the ocean. The Business Persons Plunge takes place on Friday, May 24 at Noon at Moorlyn Terrace St. and the beach www.oceancityvacation.com
While the idea of plunging into the ocean in frigid temperatures may seem completely insane to you, the list of plunge events and happenings shows that organizers have come up with creative ways to bring visitors to the Jersey Cape in the winter months.
I did a Polar Plunge four years ago with my roller derby team. Although the water was super cold, it was so worth it. I think it’s a fun way to raise money for a great cause.
I agree with you 🙂