Ever do a Polar Bear Plunge?

[MaryAnnDVC]

My 16 year old DS, for some reason, thinks it would be cool to do a Polar Bear Plunge tomorrow. Somehow, I'm not getting the appeal of jumping into the ocean in January in RI. Personally, I'm partial to nice hot showers. (This is my kid who wants a remote starter for the car so it's nice and toasty before he has to leave the house and get into it. )

Ever do it? What's it like?? ("Cold!") Have you done it more than once? Somehow I'm thinking IF I could ever bring myself to do it, I would NEVER do it again. Kind of like "Mission: Space".

We said "no" to DS. It's too far for him to drive.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

Last year, we brought the kids down to see the polar bear plunge.

There were dozens of crazy people---most of them under 25 ---dressed in costumes (yes, costumes) and bathing suits. The bands were playing and the beer was pouring.

The polar bear queen came in on her float, sitting on her block of ice thrown. She looked as regal as an over middle age woman in a bathing suit in 31 degree weather could look.

with a wave of her septor, the masses ran into the water and then out . The average person lasts less than 3 seconds. A few make a macho scene staying in a bit longer.

I think it's something you only do once, for most. It's a New Years tradition in many towns here.

Obviously, we have nothing better to do at the southern New Jersey shore.

 

[TriMom]

I am going to do one on Sat. - It will be my first. It is hit or miss here in TN, sometimes the temp is in the 60's so not quite the Polar Bear Experience. But to honor my first plunge - the high will be 31 with about 20 for plunge time. Brrrrr! Why did I agree to do this???

ETA: They follow the outdoor pool plunge with open swim in the indoor pool, and inflatables and games in the gym. It's all free, all they ask for is canned food donations.

 

[klacey1]

My 16 year old DS, for some reason, thinks it would be cool to do a Polar Bear Plunge tomorrow. Somehow, I'm not getting the appeal of jumping into the ocean in January in RI. Personally, I'm partial to nice hot showers. (This is my kid who wants a remote starter for the car so it's nice and toasty before he has to leave the house and get into it. )

Ever do it? What's it like?? ("Cold!") Have you done it more than once? Somehow I'm thinking IF I could ever bring myself to do it, I would NEVER do it again. Kind of like "Mission: Space".

We said "no" to DS. It's too far for him to drive.

New Year's 2008-- Narragansett Town Beach! Never, ever, ever again. Fun to say you did it. I was in a bathrobe and back in my car in 2 minutes. Total water time-- less than 5 seconds, definitely.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Never done one but they always have it here on New Year's Day down at the lakefront. Brrrr.

 

[HunnyPots]

Oh dear god no!!! I don't go in the water unless it's at least 90 degrees out!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

We did it the first year we moved here. It was very cold, but nothing like what you northerners do. I would not be able to jump in the ocean if it were 30 degrees out, tomorrow it will probably be like today-around 55- 60. Not exactly freezing, but uncomfortable still. My DH is considering it, I will stay home with the sick child.

Here it is quite an event. They have a float contest, and everyone wears some kind of silly hat. Do they do funny things where y'all are, or is it just enough to jump in and jump out and run to the car?

 

[minkydog]

Sorry, I come from a long line of Southern Belles. I am not genetically equipped.

 

[S. C.]

No never! Temp now.. 27 °F .. Windchill: 16 °F



5-Day Forecast for ZIP Code

Friday
Chance of Snow
22° F | 9° F


Saturday
Chance of Snow
16° F | 7° F


Sunday
Chance of Snow
20° F | 16° F


Monday
Chance of Snow
25° F | 14° F


Tuesday
Chance of Snow
25° F | 14° F

 

[Micca]

I won't even go to Dairy Queen this time of year much less jump in icy cold waters.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Here it is quite an event. They have a float contest, and everyone wears some kind of silly hat. Do they do funny things where y'all are, or is it just enough to jump in and jump out and run to the car?

I have no idea. I can barely bring myself to watch the news reports every year.

I won't even go to Dairy Queen this time of year much less jump in icy cold waters.

DS and some friends were going to go to Cold Stone Creamery the other night, and decided it was too cold. I'm not sure how you go from that, to wanting to jump into the ocean in bitter cold weather.

I showed him this thread, and he asked "Does anyone think I should do it?" I said "no" so he doesn't want to read it. Snot.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I think he should do it.

It sounds like a lot of fun. It is just cold water.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I think he should do it.

It sounds like a lot of fun. It is just cold water.

He can't do it this year because it's too far away for him to drive himself (he just got his license in November). If he wants to do it next year, he can.

I hate to be cold. The ocean, in RI, in January...like jumping into a tub full of ice cubes! For fun. ??

 

[minkydog]

No never! Temp now.. 27 °F .. Windchill: 16 °F



5-Day Forecast for ZIP Code

Friday
Chance of Snow
22° F | 9° F


Saturday
Chance of Snow
16° F | 7° F


Sunday
Chance of Snow
20° F | 16° F


Monday
Chance of Snow
25° F | 14° F


Tuesday
Chance of Snow
25° F | 14° F

Ugh. This reminds me why we live in Georgia.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Cold and wet are my least favorite weather conditions. Nuff said.

 

[1957]

I'm probably the only poster who prefers to be cold rather than hot. Cannot tolerate high heat and humidity! Keep my A/C at 65 during the summer (and pay dearly for it), and rarely turn the heat on during the winter. My neighbors think I'm nuts. I think I'm nuts, too....as well as hormonally challenged! Oh, wait! I've been heat intolerant since I was a kid!

 

[Buckalew11]

No way in hell I'd do a polar bear plunge. I dunno...is it really healthy to do that to a body???
You know, DH went running in the mountains a couple weeks ago whn it snowed and then went knee deep in the cold mtn. river (which I can barely get in during summer!). He's nutty though.

 

[The Princess]

My dd is doing it tomorrow morning, I would never do it too cold for me

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

No way in hell I'd do a polar bear plunge. I dunno...is it really healthy to do that to a body???
You know, DH went running in the mountains a couple weeks ago whn it snowed and then went knee deep in the cold mtn. river (which I can barely get in during summer!). He's nutty though.

You know, I wondered about its potential to be unhealthy...like a shock to the heart or something. To be TOTALLY honest, I was glad it was a long drive that we wouldn't let him do, because I didn't want to let him do it anyway.

Anyone who does Ironman triathlons (or whatever the heck your DH does...it's not like this is from MY vocabulary ) and the Disney Marathon and a half (what's that called?) is...yes...nutty. Just sayin'. None of that crazy athletic stuff going on in this house.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I did last year! It was COLD! ice chunks and icebergs in the water, we had to climb down a 3 foot ice shelf to get in the water. Something crazy to do once, and I am proud to say I've done it.