It’s five minutes until go-time. The crowd noise is increasing and more and more pale flesh is seeing daylight for the first time in months. Bare feet are going numb in the sand. “Hair of the Dog” in the form of menthol-mint schnapps is coursing through my veins as I attempt to warm myself internally in preparation for what is to come. Any minute now, I will join the rest of the lunatics on the beach in charging at the Rhode Island shoreline and ritualistically plunging ourselves into 40-degree ocean water on January 1 as a tribute to the brand new year.
At 12 o’clock on the dot, the bells ring, the buzzers sound and the starter-pistols fire. The bathing-suit clad masses on the beach run into the surf, hopping over the whitewater and attempting to achieve the necessary full-body submersion required to officially complete the challenge in the eyes of most event veterans. As my turn to enter the icy water approaches, I try not to think too hard about what I’m doing. I keep repeating the mantra, “Just go in, just go in, just go in…” as the frigid wetness hits my toes, then my shins, then my knees, then my thighs. A wave that is certain to hit most of my upper body is quickly approaching, and it is now truly do or die time. I take the plunge and dive under before it breaks. In an instant, my entire body is shocked to the core as the wintry Atlantic Ocean penetrates my entire being faster than I ever imagined it could.
Leaving the water, my skin experiences an exquisite combination of numbness and exhilaration. My feet painfully walk on underwater pebbles as I take the final steps toward dry land. On the shore, less bold (and much warmer) loved ones wait with dry towels, flip-flops and a change of clothes, shaking their heads in a combination of disbelief and amusement. When the towel finally engulfs me, it is (like every other year) the best towel I have ever used IN MY LIFE. I have survived another “Penguin Plunge.”
For many years, my friends and I rang in the New Year by plunging at various Rhode Island locales, adding a few new members to our core group each time. Some people understand the appeal right away, and others just think it’s silly. To me, it has always been a fairly even mix of catharsis, masochism, an excuse to drink in the morning and just plain fun with a bunch of strangers who are all doing the same thing.
At the end of the day, I think everyone should try it at least once. This New Year’s Day, find yourself a local participating beach/event, make yourself a pre-game beverage or three, get your bathing suit on and see if you are destined to be a penguin!
Looking for a Polar Plunge?
Newport Polar Bear Plunge: If midnight partying really isn’t your thing, then come have fun and let out your wild side at the Newport Polar Bear Plunge. Ring in the new year while you.. or others… can jump into the freezing cold waters of Easton Bay. Starts at Noon! Be there! Easton’s Beach, 1775 Memorial Blvd, Newport. discovernewport.org
Freezin for a Reason: 11th Annual Penguin Plunge, These plunges aren’t just for polar bears anymore! Pledges benefit Westerly Area Rest Meals, Inc. Registration 10:30am, Misquamicut Beach, 257 Atlantic Ave, Westerly. warmcenter.org
41st Annual Penguin Plunge: Waddle to the water, winter warriors! Registration 10am, plunge Noon. Roger Wheeler State Beach, Narragansett. specialolympicsri.org
Barrington Polar Plunge: Neighborhood plunging tradition takes place at the beach end of Annawamscutt Road. townplanner.com/barrington/ri
First Day Walk & Polar Plunge: Chill out with a casual wintertime swim. 11am – Noon, Hope Brown Center, Farnham Farm, Prudence Island. prudencebayislandtransport.com
The RI CAN Polar Plunge: Dive into the new year and the freezing ocean to benefit the RI Center for Assisting those in Need. Post-plunge festivities at the Breachway Grill include pizza and music. Charlestown Beach, Noon. 560 E Beach Rd.
Jamestown 1st Day Plunge: East Ferry, 47 Conanicus Ave # A, Jamestown. Time TBA. jamestown1stdayplunge.com
Frozen Clam Dip & Obstaplunge: Looking for a more intensive plunge to cure that hangover? The RI Mentoring Partnership and Laid-back Fitness host a fundraiser that includes a quarter-mile obstacle course preceding that jump into the bay. 11am-1pm, Goddard Memorial State Park Beach, 1095 Ives Rd, East Greenwich. mentorri.org/clam
6th Annual Pit Bull Plunge: Hosted by the Little Rhodie Bully Breed Club: Challenge yourself and your favorite canine for an icily good cause. 10am, Warwick City Park, Beach Area, Warwick. dynamicdogtraining.webs.com
Sandy Beach Polar Plunge to Benefit Forever Paws: Do you tell yourself or loved ones you’re going to do one of these plunges every New Year’s Day? Guilt yourself into the water with this plunge that raises money for the Forever Paws Animal Shelter! Sandy Beach, Fall River.
11th Annual Penguin Plunge: These plunges aren’t just for polar bears anymore! Pledges benefit Westerly Area Rest Meals, Inc. Registration 10:30am, plunge at Noon. Misquamicut Beach, 89 Atlantic Ave, Westerly.
Sandy Beach Polar Plunge to Benefit Forever Paws: Do you tell yourself or loved ones you’re going to do one of these plunges every New Year’s Day? Guilt yourself into the water with this plunge that raises money for the Forever Paws Animal Shelter! Sandy Beach, Fall River.
Block Island Polar Plunge: Dip your toe into the New Year, Block Island style. The local Lion’s Club hosts the annual Polar Plunge at Fred Benson Town Beach at high Noon on New Year’s Day, with participants racing in and out of the water (and saner family members looking on).Whether you’re taking the plunge or not, you’ll get a warm reception from the hundreds of people who typically gather. Fred Benson Town Beach, blockislandinfo.com
