'Splash For CAST' Polar Plunge Coming Soon

NORTH FORK, NY — Intrepid North Forkers are readying to take the plunge to help those in need in the community.

On Sunday, January 28, the North Fork Polar Bears, a winter swim group of more than 130 members, will host its second annual Splash for CAST — a charitable cold water plunge to be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows, 1400 Silvermere Road in Greenport.

Onsite registration and check-in begin at 9:30 a.m., and the plunge takes place at 10:30 a.m. The fun family event benefits CAST, the Center for Advocacy, Support & Transformation, a non-profit organization that has been helping low-income residents of the North Fork community meet their nutrition, energy, housing, education, and employment needs since 1965, organizers said.

More than 200 plungers splashed for their community at the North Fork Polar Bears’ 2023 inaugural plunge, with more than 200 people coming out to support the intrepid participants.

This year, the North Fork Polar Bears are raising the stakes, aiming for 300 plungers to join in the frigid fun with a fundraising goal of $75,000 in support of community, health and wellness, and stewardship of clean and healthy waters, organizers said.

Paddle boarders are welcome to participate.

"This is a fun and invigorating way for everyone in our community to make a splash for CAST and
Back to the Bays by supporting their important work — they do so much good for people on the North Fork and the incredible waters that bring us so much joy," Patricia Garcia-Gomez, co-founder of the North Fork Polar Bears, said.

"We are so grateful to the North Fork Polar Bears for bringing the community together to brave the cold for the benefit of our North Fork and Shelter Island neighbors in need who are struggling to make ends meet, especially during the difficult winter months. And we greatly appreciate the generosity of Silver Sands for sharing their beautiful space for this charity event," Cathy Demeroto, CAST executive director, said.

Kimberly Barbour, CCE Marine Program’s Back to the Bays director added: "We’re so excited to be
included as a beneficiary of this year’s event. The proceeds generated from the plunge will support both CAST’s important work and enable us to establish a new Back to the Bays Stewardship Site on the North Fork. At this new site we will work in partnership with the North Fork Polar Bears to restore essential marine and coastal habitat, establish a new spat-on-shell oyster reef, and seed the bay with clams and scallops — and, of course, involve the public in these important environmental stewardship efforts."

Registration levels are $25, $50, and $125. All participants will receive North Fork Polar Bears’ Splash for CAST branded merchandise and coupons to local businesses based on their registration level. Preregistration is strongly encouraged. Sponsorships are also available with various levels of giving opportunities and visibility, including mention on all promotional materials.

To register, sponsor, donate, or fundraise, click here.

The Silver Sands Motel will provide hot drinks, towels, fire pits and food for purchase before and after the plunge. Participants can wear anything they’d like – bathing suits, neoprene suits, swim gloves, swim booties, winter hats or swim caps. The plunge will take place rain, shine or snow. If extreme weather is predicted and cancellation is unavoidable, all registrants will be advised via email in advance.