Polar Bears Head Back To Long Beach After Virtual Plunge In 2021

LONG BEACH, NY — Long Beach is hosting its annual wintertime swim. The Polar Bear Plunge is scheduled for Feb. 6 at Laurelton Avenue.

Pete Meyers is co-founder of the Long Beach Polar Bears, which launched in 1998.

"We started doing it for fun," Meyers told Patch. "We started raising money for Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2001."

The group sells souvenir sweatshirts for charity, plus people can create a team that can get sponsored.

This is a return to the Atlantic Ocean after a virtual plunge due to the pandemic last year.

"We're not sure if we'll have less numbers this year," he said.

It's a switch from its usual spot on Super Bowl Sunday. But Meyers is expecting between 3,000 and 5,000 people to run into the water. Participants are not just from Long Beach.

"The cops will say there's a traffic jam like it's the summer coming into town," Meyers said.

All ages are welcome to participate.

The forecast is for sun and a "mild" day near 40 degrees on Feb. 6, with the water near the same temperature.

"You really just do what you're comfortable with," Meyers said. "You dip your toe in or you dunk under."

Crowds will assemble at 12:30 p.m. and the plunge takes place at 1:30 p.m.