While steel is toughened up by tempering it in extreme heat, thousands of brave and adventurous people will strengthen their mind, body and soul by charging into the frigid Atlantic Ocean on New Year’s Day.
Tybee Island is helping families start the new year off right with its annual Polar Plunge on Jan. 1, 2024. Thousands of participants will gather at the Tybee Post Pier & Pavilion beginning at 9 a.m. to take part in this wild winter tradition.
Credit: Savannah Morning News file photo
Credit: Savannah Morning News file photo
The popular event kicks off with the return of the Gang of Goofs costume contest and parade. Groups of three or more will dress in their goofiest, funniest costumes and parade in front of a panel of "esteemed judges" for a chance to win fabulous cash prizes. The winning team will earn the prestigious Le Gang of Goofs trophy and the honor of displaying it in a location of their choice for the rest of the year. The trophy currently resides in the Tybee Island Inn, but who knows where its next home will be.
The Tybee Island Polar Plunge of 2012 was notable for making it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the "largest gathering of people wearing swim caps" when 2,049 of the 2,400 participants donned swim caps for the plunge. Unfortunately, the record was broken again in 2017, when the Ying Wa family of Hong Kong beat Tybee's record with 2,584. Hopefully, Tybee Island can except that challenge and make a comeback someday.
Credit: Kelly Whaley/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Kelly Whaley/Savannah Morning News
This is the second year the Polar Plunge is organized by Tybee Island Main Street, an inclusive program through the City of Tybee Island that works to "improve the quality of life for those that live, work, and visit Tybee Island and enhance the cultural experience while preserving the community's barrier island heritage."
“Coming off of the pandemic years where they were doing it virtually, last year was the first time it was fully in-person again,” said Main Street Director Cassidi Kendrick of the Polar Plunge. “We had at least 800 participants, but it was definitely more than that. There were about 2,000 people out there with us, but we sold a little over 800 t-shirts, and we anticipate it to be and even bigger turnout this year.”
Registration is $35 and can be done online, or on the morning of the plunge on the pier. Each registrant receives a souvenir Tybee Island’s Polar Plunge 2024 long-sleeve t-shirt, but make sure to register as soon as possible to make sure you can get the size you want.
Proceeds from the Polar Plunge help Tybee Island Main Street improve the holiday festivities they organize for the city.
“We use it to make our holiday events, like our holiday market, tree lighting, and parade, an even bigger event,” said Kendrick.
Credit: Steve Bisson, Savannah Morning News
Credit: Steve Bisson, Savannah Morning News
Polar Bear Plunges are a popular tradition around the world with huge events in Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and around the Unites States. Tybee Island participants, however, will have it relatively easy. While plungers around the world may be trudging through snow in swimsuits before submerging themselves in icy water, Tybee Island can expect comparably pleasant 53-degree weather with water temperatures of around 55 degrees.
Don’t miss a chance for you and your family to start off the year strong by participating in this wet and exhilarating tradition.
If You Go >>
What: Tybee Island Polar Plunge 2024
When: 9 a.m.- Noon, Jan. 1
Where: Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion
Cost: $35 Registration with t-shirt
Info: tybeeislandmainstreet.org
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Jump into 2024 feet first at the Tybee Island Polar Plunge
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