Polar Bear Plunges are Such a Shore Thing

Plunging into frigid ocean waters with nothing more than a bathing suit or costume 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 four plunges that are planned in Cape May County in the next four months. No matter what your reason is to jump into the 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 festivities set for Feb. 15-17. Revelers have been taking the frosty dip in Sea Isle for 25 years. It is not all about the plunge over the Presidents Day weekend. There is plenty to do from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon during a weekend of plunging, partying, dining and shopping. The plunge will take place on Saturday, Feb. 16, on the beach between 38^th and 40^th streets. It will be preceded by the Polar Bear Plunge costume contest at 12 p.m. at LaCosta Lounge at JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue. The plunge itself follows at 2 p.m. For more information, visit 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 Lounge. You can also pre-register by visiting www.polarbearrunwalkforautism.com. The Mike’s Seafood Polar Bear Plunge Run-Walk has grown into one of the region’s top events. (Photo courtesy of www.polarbearrunwalkforautism.com) Although the idea of plunging into the ocean in frigid temperatures may seem completely wacky to some, the list of plunge events and related entertainment shows that organizers have come up with creative ways to bring visitors to the Jersey Cape in the winter months. For some participants, plunging for a charitable cause makes the winter dip 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 16^th Street 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 15^th Street Lifeguard Station beginning at 8:45 a.m. Stone Harbor’s Shiver Weekend, set for March 15-16, invites plungers to take a chilly 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, March 15, at the Pre-Shiver Party at The Reeds at Shelter Haven located at 96^th Street and Third Avenue. 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, March 16, before the dip. Plungers will receive a Shiver swag bag that includes a Shiver T-shirt or hoodie. They are encouraged to wear costumes and/or create a float to commemorate the Shiver. Activities will begin at 12 p.m. at the parking lot at 96^th Street and the beach. The official plunge begins at 1:15 p.m. After the plunge, it is back to Fred’s Tavern at 314 96^th Street for a post-Shiver party. Visit www.stoneharborbeach.com to register for the Shiver and to find a list of activities for the weekend. Ocean City's Business Persons Plunge is a wacky highlight of the Memorial Day weekend. In Ocean City, event organizers put a twist on the traditional ocean plunge. The Business Persons Plunge features participants dressing up in formal business attire and carrying brief cases. Rather than jumping in, these nattily clad plungers slowly march into the surf to celebrate the “opening” of the ocean for the start of the summer tourism season during the Memorial Day weekend. The Business Persons Plunge takes place on Friday, May 24, at noon at Moorlyn Terrace and the beach next to the Ocean City Music Pier. For more information, visit www.oceancityvacation.com.