Chances are a large body of water near you has an annual “Polar Bear Plunge” around New Year’s Day. Dating back to the early 1900s, these “dips” have been a popular way to ring in the new year, and cleanse the soul for a new start! They are sometimes small in attendance, or they might be as wildly popular as thePlungapalooza in Maryland’s Sandy Point State Park, where in 2007 more than 7,400 participants raised upwards of $2.2 million for the Special Olympics! These are traditionally fund-raising events, including the famed NYC Coney Island Polar Bear Club, which raises money for Camp Sunshine – a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
The Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club, led by President Frank Nelson, raises money each January 1st forProject Bundle Up and the Salvation Army. Frank leads an army of Pittsburgh natives off the Mon Wharf at exactly 9:30AM. This year, around 2,000 strong showed up to brave the 40F icy waters of the Monongahela River to help raise money for the those who need it the most! Although this January 1 was a warmer day by Pittsburgh standards, Frank recalled a time when it was not as pleasant:
“I remember back in the early 1970s, we jumped in with a -2F air temperature! No sooner as I came up out of the water, my beard was frozen solid… It’s a ‘Burgh Thing!”
Alex, Ashley, Ryan and I had a great time again this year jumping into the river, and I am looking forward to many more years of icy fun to ring in the NEW YEAR!