The Polar Bear Plunge in Asbury Park

New Year's Day 2010 in Asbury Park. The high air temperature was mild reaching up into the mid 40s, but the Atlantic Ocean was bitter cold near the shore with temperatures at best in the upper 30s. Yet, for over a hundred people in Asbury Park, receiving an electrifying jolt from jumping into icy water was a perfect way to ring in 2010.

(The rush begins as who will be the first polar bear into the ocean)

You may wonder why anyone would want to celebrate the first day of the year with a dive into the chilly Atlantic Ocean. Well, it turns out there was a reason for countless people to be chilly!

It was time for the celebrated 8th Annual  Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge on New Year's Day near the Asbury Park Convention Center, in Asbury Park, NJ. While there weren't any actual big white furry polar bears around for the plunge, many people of all ages decided to take an icy swim to raise money for the benefit of four charitable local organizations. Those charitable organizations included: the Special Olympics of NJ, Clean Ocean Action, Campership of Monmouth County, and The Barn.

(Most jumpers got in and got right back out, but they all seemed to have a fun time)

While some might shiver just thinking about taking a dip in the ocean during the winter, this annual New Year’s Day activity has actually been gaining in popularity with people. It started in Coney Island, New York, but has quickly advanced around the nation. Many organizations are now holding similar polar bear plunge events to benefit a variety of charitable causes.

Whether you call it a Polar Bear Swim, Polar Bear Plunge, or a Polar Bear Dive, the idea is still the same. Every year crowds of people take a few moments out of New Year's Day to hurl themselves into the nearest large body of very cold water. Fortunately, there is no shortage of participants.

Indeed, the Polar Bear Plunge in Asbury Park has become a tradition now for lots of people along the northern Jersey Shore. People begin arriving when the doors to the Convention Hall open at 10:00 a.m. and a carnival-like atmosphere soon prevails with food, drinks, and live music. Hundreds of folks show up on New Year’s Day to either cheer on family or friends or take an icy dip in the ocean. 

The actual plunge into the water is a simple event. Starting around 12:30pm, polar bear participants start to show up on the beach in their beach costume. This is followed soon by a Bagpipe March to the beach. At 12:57pm, the National Anthem is played and at 1pm - PLUNGE ! The hearty souls wearing just a swimsuit charge headlong into the Atlantic Ocean.

Within a few seconds, it is all over. Many people will re-emerge out of the ocean. Most people never so thrilled to see a thick, dry towel in their life.  Other people take a quick dip, followed by a fast retreat back to the warmth of a sweatshirt and sweatpants.

Okay, jumping into the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean is an intense way to start the New Year or maybe even an extreme cure for a New Year's Eve hangover. Yet, it sure beats sitting home watching television, eating, and getting flabby all day!

Each polar bear participant has her or his own reason for starting the new year being iced up. Some do it for the fun of it, others do it on a dare, some people might do it to start the year outside of their normal comfort zone. Age is no barrier. Although many participants were people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, there were still plenty of kids and older diehards that jumped into the chilly ocean. Anyone can participate. Plungers included 6-year-olds to 80-somethings.

Happily, when the polar bear participants come ashore, there was plenty of moral support from the local crowd, warm clothes, warm drinks, and food awaiting. Within two minutes after running out of the ocean, many people were dressed again, as they quickly threw on clothes.

(Great live music played throughout the day from Brian Kirk & the Jirks)

So, while many people were getting up around 1pm after a night of frenzied partying, many other people  were celebrating the New Year with a decidedly different tradition. By plunging into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean along the Jersey Shore.

On New Year's Day, a dream was realized for those folks. They have now joined the ranks of those who have braved the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean on the first day of the new year to be part of one of the most famous events along the Jersey Shore -.the Polar Bear Plunge.

Who knows, maybe next year you will plunge into the icy ocean too.

For more information on how you can participate in the Polar Bear Plunge next year, check out the Sons of Ireland website at: http://www.sonsofireland.org/sons/_top