Polar Bear Plunge

Festival Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, USA

Festival State: New Jersey Festivals

Festival Type(s): Bizarre Sports Events, Winter Festivals, Bizarre Festivals

By: © Nelson Taylor 2009

Groups of old men swimming in icy water, otherwise known as Polar Bear Plunges, are a dime a dozen around the United States. But nobody pulls one off better than the folks who put on the annual February plunge at Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.

Begun in 1993 in order to raise money for Special Olympics New Jersey, each plunger must raise at least $100 in order to tip-toe into the 36-degree Atlantic Ocean. In 1998, the largest Polar Bear Plunge in the world was held, where 1,200 plungers braved brisk waters and 100,000 spectators watched them do it. That year over $154,000 was raised for the Special Olympics. But not only do plungers get a chance to give to a good cause, but their registration donation gets them a free sweatsuit and entry for themselves and a guest to the Post Plunge Party, which includes lots of food and entertainment.

New Jersey's rival plunge happens every February and also collects donations for the Special Olympics. But this one happens off the beaches of Reheboth, DE, where in 1999 they had almost 1,000 plungers and raised nearly $150,000. Close, but no cigar.