Polar Bear Plunge 2017 happened New Years Day at 12 noon and Green Hillers showed up to support a great cause! We were freezin for a reason! It was the 6th Annual Polar Plunge in support of Rhode Island Center Assisting those in Needs (RI CAN). This year’s event featured free coffee from The Bakery, pizza at the Breachway Grille, and the melodious sounds of Jimmy Buffet. The location was Charlestown Town Beach and the plunge kicked off at 12 sharp!
Here are 6 tips from my Polar Bear Plunge 2017 experience. I highly recommend the experience as an excellent way to start the New Year while supporting a worthy cause!
- An 11:30 arrival time gives you sufficient time to register, get a picture with the polar bear, listen to some Jimmy Buffet music with fellow revelers, and convince yourself you are not alone in this crazy idea of running into the frigid sea.
- Wear layers. As 12 noon nears, start to remove them slowly and give yourself time to “harden yourself off” to the cooler air temperatures. The plunge is enough of a shock, so give your body time to adjust.
- Know the tide cycle in advance in order to plan your in and out strategy. Last year the plunge happened near high tide, so the time to run in and run out was considerably shorter. This year the plunge happened at low tide, so the distance to reach the wave break was considerable.
- I highly recommend you wear water shoes, which help to keep you stable in the cold frigid water. You stand a better chance of remaining upright in the surf.
- Stick to the fringes. It is a big crowd and being on the ends of the crowd gives you more room and running in the middle of this ocean bound swarm.
- Establish a Meet & Greet shoreline buddy with towel in hand just for you. You’ll be so glad you did when you emerge from the Icy Atlantic.
Rhode Island Center Assisting Those In Need [RI CAN]
Donations and entrance fees were to support Rhode Island Center Assisting those in need, otherwise known as RI CAN. This 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization provides emergency food, clothing, and other vital supports to neighbors in crisis throughout the state, primarily in Washington County and surrounding areas.
Here is their contact information and link on how to give:
805 Alton Carolina Road, Charlestown, RI 02813
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Mailing address: PO Box 73, Carolina, RI 02812
Help spread the word! https://www.gofundme.com/2017-ri-can-polar-plunge