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Running half-naked into 50-degree water never feels so good as when it is done for charity. At least that is what the administrators at Human Resources of the Hamptons want participants in the Polar Bear Plunge to say.
The sixth annual Polar Bear Plunge, an event in which hundreds of people strip down to nearly their skivvies and run into the water at Coopers Beach on Meadow Lane in Southampton Village, is set to take place on Saturday, December 12.
“Everyone runs in, and then they run out,” said Mary Ann Tupper, the executive director of Human Resources of the Hamptons and a regular Plunge participant.
Past Plunges have raised more than $100,000 for Human Resources of the Hamptons, a charitable organization that helps families in need on the East End and has its headquarters in the basement at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Roman Catholic Church on Hill Street in Southampton Village. Approximately 700 people turned out for the event last year, Ms. Tupper said, and she expects similar numbers this year.
All participants in the Plunge must be registered by 9:30 a.m. at Coopers Beach on Saturday, December 12. Participants must make a $25 donation and will receive a hat and bracelet, Ms. Tupper said.
This year’s Polar Bear Plunge logo—a white polar bear wearing a red-and-white striped scarf and yellow floatie around his waist—was created by Southampton High School student Alyxandra Tortorice. The logo will appear on the hats and other promotional items, according to the Human Resources website.
Ms. Tupper noted that last year the fee to participate was $20, but she increased it to $25 because Human Resources needs more money to fund its programs in the wake of the economy.
On the day of the event, there is no requirement for how deep participants have to go into the ocean, Ms. Tupper said. “You go as far as your body will take you,” she said, adding that the water is expected to be approximately 50 degrees on Saturday. She added, “I go all the way in, because everyone is watching what I’m doing.”
The water has been around 40 degrees in years past, she said.
Wright & Co. Construction Inc., a construction firm based in Bridgehampton, is one of the sponsors of the East End tradition, Ms. Tupper said. She noted that for each one of its employees or employees’ family members who brave the icy waters, the company donates $100 to Human Resources of the Hamptons.
Julie Cummings-Bosch, an assistant project manager at Wright & Co., said that she has participated in the Plunge for the past four years.
“It’s cold, invigorating, and it reminds you that you’re alive,” Ms. Cummings-Bosch said, adding that she recruits her husband, Jeffery Cummings, and daughters, Abby and Natalie Cummings, to join her. The family, who live in Water Mill, have been taking part in the fund-raiser for the last four years.
“I try to get as much family as I can to participate, like nieces, and I have my daughters bring friends,” Ms. Cummings-Bosch said, adding that she will be plunging again this year. “We make it a little party down there.”
She recommended participants keep their feet as warm as possible before and after the Plunge.
“That’s the big tip—to make sure you get your feet warm as soon as possible,” Ms. Cummings-Bosch said. “Also, bring blankets, because it’s okay to stand around on the beach in 30-degree weather as long as your feet are warm.”
She noted that she brought a foot bath to the event last year, so that some participants could pour warm water over their feet, washing away the sand, immediately after they emerged from the Atlantic.
“It’s nice to have clean feet to put into your boots,” Ms. Cummings-Bosch said.
Besides Wright & Co., other sponsors include the Tomorrow Foundation, The Southampton Press, Emil Norsic and Son, the Suffolk County National Bank and the Hamptons Creative Group, Ms. Tupper said.
Warm, free food is also available to plungers after the event at the “Survivor’s Party,” held in the Cooper’s Beach pavilion, according to the Human Resources of the Hamptons website.
Snacks will be provided by 7-Eleven, Catena’s Inc. Food Market, the Golden Pear Cafe, Hamptons Bagels, the Hampton Coffee Company and the Village Gourmet Cheese Shop, Ms. Tupper said.
John Grecu, the owner of the Village Gourmet Cheese Shop Inc., said he will be donating chili to the Survivor’s Party. “The previous owner started donating two years ago, and I would like to continue the tradition,” Ms. Grecu said, adding that the chili is warm and spicy and will help get the participants back on track after they run out of the frigid waves.
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