By MADDY VITALE
Whether on a bucket list or a yearly ritual, all of the brave — or crazy — souls who dipped into the chilly ocean for Sea Isle City’s Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday got a real wide-eyed wakeup call.
With air temps lingering in the low 30s and the water temperature around 41 degrees, the only warmth in sight came from the dry clothes and towels people clung to after the frantic romp.
Some plungers cheered, others screamed, and others laughed as they swiftly made their surge into the surf.
Maddie Burt and her best friend, Anna Winters, both 17 of Lititz, Pa., came down for the weekend with family.
“We never did the plunge before,” Anna explained. “It was kind of a bucket list thing to do.”
For Maddie the Polar Bear weekend in Sea Isle, which ends Sunday with a run-walk to benefit autism awareness, it had a larger meaning.
“My brother Christopher has autism so really it is about him,” Maddie said, adding that they might do the walk Sunday. “I think it is a really good cause.”
The friends came prepared for the plunge.
“We are going to wear our bikini tops and leggings,” Maddie said.
However, they only brought one pair of shoes between that they were willing to sacrifice.
They laughed. “We might take turns going in,” joked Maddie.
Emergency medical personnel and lifeguards were on hand to protect the plungers. Sea Isle City police and officers from neighboring towns, the Cape May Office of Emergency Management and a complement of police on horseback patrolled the area.
The beaches between 38th and 40th streets were tightly cordoned off for people to use as designated areas to dip.
This year, the 26th for the Polar Bear Plunge, the start time was switched from 2 p.m. to noon to help with crowd control during a day of revelry.
The Sullivan, Nangle, and McClelland families came from Delaware County, Pa., for the plunge. They are close friends, they explained while standing in front of the gazebo on the Promenade about 20 minutes before plunge time.
Buddies Sean Sullivan, 14, Chase Nangle, 15, and Sofie McClelland, 12, were dressed in heavy clothing — sweatpants and sweatshirts — appropriate for the frigid day.
But there was one giveaway that they would join thousands of other thrill seekers in the water within minutes. Sofie had on her swimmer’s cap and goggles.
“I’m having second thoughts,” Sean said with a laugh.
“I’m looking forward to it, but it is chilly,” Chase added.
Sofie, though, seemed determined, saying, “I like a challenge.”
While some families and friends jumped in for the first time, friends Katie Smith, of Vineland, and Laura Seay, of Stow Creek, are regular plungers. They even dressed the festive part — each as snowmen or snowwomen, that is.
“We have been doing this since 2002,” Katie said. “Nothing like the icy Atlantic to wake you up.”
Some participants seemed unfazed by the chilly water and went in not once or twice — but three times.
Polar Bear Plunge Weekend, held every February, is a blockbuster for the local economy, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to town.
The timing of the plunge over the Presidents Day weekend every year allows Sea Isle to capitalize on the extended holiday weekend.
On Sunday at noon is the Mike’s Seafood Polar Bear Run-Walk For Autism on the Promenade and JFK Boulevard. To register or donate online visit polarbearrunwalkforautism.com or call (609) 602-5734.
