Dan's Papers - December 7, 2007 - Polar Plunge in the Hamptons

Think there is nothing to do in the Hamptons off-season? It looks like the Scandinavian and Russian tradition of "plunging" has caught on in America, or least on the East End. Many people enjoy starting off the New Year by jumping into the icy waters as a sort of a brisk way to cleanse the spirit and start the New Year with some zest. Now, they can also benefit several worthy causes out here. This year, there are several Polar Bear Plunges planned to bring in the New Year. Here they are:

DEC. 15 - After a very successful plunge last year, the Polar Bear Plunge For Hunger will be held for the fourth year at Cooper's Beach in Southampton at 10 a.m. All plungers must register by 9:30 a.m. Last year, about 750 people took the plunge into the frigid ocean at Cooper's Beach, raising over $100,000 for hunger. Once again, this year's event will benefit the Human Resources of the Hamptons organization. Their Holiday Giving Program will provide 450 local families with food and over 3,000 gifts.

Plungers are asked to donate $20 or get their friends and families to sponsor them in their plunging effort, and all checks are payable to Human Resources of the Hamptons, which is a non-profit organization, and all checks are tax deductible.

At the event, plungers can jump into the water individually or in teams, and they must be 18 years of age, or bring a signed waiver form their parents.

Like last year, there will be a big "Survivor Party" afterward on the beach for all participants, with hot chocolate, coffee, soup, chili, bagels and hot dogs. Also in keeping with last year's tradition, many of the teams and individuals will be dressed in costumes. All families, kids and dogs are welcome.

JAN. 1 -The Seafood Shop in Wainscott is sponsoring their annual Polar Bear Plunge at Wainscott Main Beach, beginning at 2:30 p.m. But as usual, Colin Mather, the owner, is collecting a group of people who will meet at his store at 2 p.m., and run on down to the beach to join the group down there for the big plunge. Mather claims to have started the first Polar Bear Plunge in the Hamptons, on New Year's Day of 1999.

"I got the idea from the Russian guys who jump in the ocean off Coney Island each winter," he said. "This whole idea of jumping into the waters of the new Millennium is sort of like a Baptism of some kind. I also decided to make it into a benefit for a worthy cause."

For the past few years, he has been donating the proceeds of donations to Phoenix House, a drug and alcohol rehab of East Hampton.

"I know several people who have made it through and been helped by this organization," he said.

Mather said he usually gets about 400-500 people at his event who come down and do the plunge. Afterward, refreshments are provided at a nearby private house.

Anyone wishing to donate can send checks made out to Phoenix House, c/o The Seafood Shop in Wainscott.

JAN.1 - Also on New Year's Day, Gurney's Inn Resort & Spa of Montauk will be holding their annual Polar Bear Dip along their spectacular oceanfront. All plungers will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Spa desk, where they will also get free access to the spa. Susan Yunker, the registered nurse at Gurney's Inn & Spa, will supervise the group as they first heat up in the Roman Bath, followed by the steamy sauna. She will explain how this "thermalism treatment," running from hot to cold, works to revitalize the circulation in the body.

Following the Polar Bear Dip in the ocean, where everyone will run in together, at noon the plungers are invited to Gurney's annual New Year's Day Good Luck Brunch. There is a suggested donation of $10 per person, which will benefit the Mission of Kindness organization founded by Jay Sears, an architect of Quogue. Sears has become famous for wearing his angel wings, to promote this organization that helps children.

DEC 1. - Last Saturday, the first Polar Bear Plunge took place on the North Fork, at Jamesport Public Beach, to raise money for a new emergency department for the Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. Despite the cold 35-degree weather, about 500 people showed up, of which about 150 took the plunge into the icy waters of Peconic Bay.

This plunge started off with a dramatic fly-over a sky-jumping exhibition by Sky Dive Long Island, and also included a deejay with music to "plunge by."

David McCann, Vice-President of McCann Investment Group at RBC of Hampton Bays, was one of the plungers, who also got the idea to start this on the North Fork.

"I used to be on the board of Human Resources of the Hamptons, which is the beneficiary of the Cooper's Beach plunge each year, and I saw how great this event was," he said. "When I moved to the Riverhead area, I decided to bring this plunge event up here to raise money for another good cause - our hospital."

McCann said last Saturday's event was "very fun, family oriented and successful," with refreshments, people in costumes, and everyone having a good time."

Tim Kelly, a spokesman for Peconic Bay Medical Center, said, "Our hospital is in the process of building out our expansion, including the much needed emergency room department, which we hope to open in January 2008."

He said the Polar Bear Plunge is something "different and cool for us - we've never done it before."