Freezin' For A Reason: Best Polar Bear Plunges In NY, NJ
Dive into the Atlantic Ocean and other freezing waters for a good cause this winter. Here are six Polar Bear Plunges taking place throughout New York and New Jersey. By Carly Petrone.
Coney Island Polar Bear Club
Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue
Coney Island, NY
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Take a plunge in the Atlantic Ocean every Sunday with the Coney Island Polar Bear Club. From November through April, members of the club meet at the boardwalk at Coney Island to take a dip in ocean, while non-members can sign up to participate in one swim during this time. You can also celebrate the New Year when the club and Camp Sunshine hold their annual New Year's Day Swim at 1 p.m. Make sure to bring warm clothes, surf boots or old sneakers, and a towel. Grab a pint post dip at the Coney Island Brewing Company & Peggy O'Neill's Bar. Admission is a $40 suggested donation to Camp Sunshine for each participant. Learn more here.
Long Beach Polar Bear Club
Long Beach Boardwalk and Riverside Boulevard
Long Beach, NY
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Help raise money for Make-A-Wish Metro New York at the Long Beach Polar Bear Club's Super Bowl Sunday Splash. Grab your t-shirt at 10 a.m., required waiver signing for the swim begins at noon, and the big splash happens at 1:30 p.m. This annual event is held in honor and loving memory of young Paulie Bradley, who passed away when he was only four years old. Through this annual Super Bowl Splash, the Long Beach Polar Bears have helped to make hundreds of heartfelt wishes of children with life-threatening conditions come true.
4th Annual Town of Oyster Bay Polar Plunge
TOBAY Beach, Ocean Parkway
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Mark your calendars for March 18, 2017 because the 4th Annual Town of Oyster Bay Polar Plunge is taking place at Tobay Beach. Registration is from 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. and the plunge starts at 11:30 a.m. Participants will raise money for the Special Olympics New York – it costs $400 to support training and competition for one athlete for one sports season. Every plunger who raises $150 receives an official plunge sweatshirt.
Atlantic City Polar Bear Plunge
1133 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
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Dive into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year's Day with the Atlantic City Polar Bears. At 12 p.m., participants will take the plunge in bathing suits (no wet suits!) to help raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. Those taking part in this annual event will meet at the Resorts Casino Hotel at 10:30 a.m. and finishers will receive an official certificate. Learn more here.
2017 Lake George Polar Plunge
Shepard Park Beach
Lake George, NY
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Take a trip upstate this New Year's Day and gather with other plungers along the frosty shores of Lake George for the annual Lake George Polar Plunge. Over one thousand people crowd Shepard Park Beach in their swim trunks and bikinis and run into the bone-chilling waters at 1 p.m. Registration takes place from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve and beginning at 10:30 a.m. on the morning of the plunge. Make sure to bring a fluffy towel and warm up quickly, as a thin film of ice has been known to cast over the waters.
14th Annual Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge
Asbury Park Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Let the sounds of bagpipes entice you into the chilly waters of the Atlantic during the 14th Annual Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge. This New Year's Day, plungers will gather at Asbury Park in New Jersey for a 1 p.m. dash into the water. Check in is from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and proceeds will go toward two local charities -- Stephy's Choice and Shore House. Sons of Ireland is a charity organization started by a group of local guys who were just very interested in figuring out a way to be able to give back in a large way to local community charities. Ticket admission starts at $10 for individuals. Learn more about team registration here.
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Carly Petrone is the founder of Petrone on the Rocks, a lifestyle site about food, drinks, beauty, travel, and more. She lives in New York City.
