The 21st annual event, sponsored by the Newport Polar Bears Club, benefits A Wish Come True, which grants wishes to seriously ill children ages 3 to 18 in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Plunging costs $25.
Here's a riddle for you: What large, gray mass can draw hundreds of shrieking people, some clad in outlandish costumes or wrapped in inflatable rings, out of bed on New Year’s Day for a few seconds of frozen pleasure?
It’s the ocean, of course, and revelers happily dash across cold sand and into even colder waves each year across the Ocean State to raise thousands of dollars for charity. Think splashing into 42-degree water only to emerge into air hovering around freezing.
Sound like fun? You can participate, or bundle up and watch, while helping raise money for area charities at these events:
Polar Plunge Challenge, Easton’s Beach (First Beach), 175 Memorial Blvd., Newport, awish.org, check-in begins at 10:30 for noon plunge. The 21st annual event, sponsored by the Newport Polar Bears Club, benefits A Wish Come True, which grants wishes to seriously ill children ages 3 to 18 in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Plunging costs $25.
Penguin Plunge, Grinnell’s Beach, Tiverton, tivertonlibrary.org/penguin-plunge, 11:45 check-in for noon plunge. The Sakonnet River is the chosen site for the 13th annual plunge to benefit Tiverton Public Library. Find pledge sheets online or at the library at 34 Roosevelt Ave. Donations and pledges are welcome.
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Penguin Plunge for Special Olympics, Scarborough State Beach, Narragansett, specialolympicsri.org. The 49th Annual Special Olympics Rhode Island Penguin Plunge takes place at a new location this year. Check-in is at 10 a.m. for a noon plunge, with a family-friendly plunge following at 12:15. The registration fee is $25, and everyone is encouraged to raise at least $50. Go to the website to support participants.
Pier Plunge, Narragansett Town Beach, North Beach Club House, 79 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett, narragansettlionsclub.org, 10 a.m. registration for noon plunge. Sponsored by the Narragansett Lions Club, the event has a $20 registration fee. This year’s proceeds benefit South County Museum. The first 300 registrants will get a complimentary beach towel, and there are prizes for best costumes in multiple age categories.
Islander Plunge, Second Beach, 474 Sachuest Point Road, Middletown, mpsri.net, noon. For a second year, Middletown’s high school and Little League are raising funds for the league’s Patrick T. Crowley Memorial Scholarship fund. Registration is $20 per person, and the first 500 registrants will get a plunge koozie and car sticker.
New Year’s Day Dip in the Bay, Barrington Beach, 87 Bay Road, Barrington, barringtonbca.com, noon. Plungers are asked to donate at least $25. All proceeds from this third annual event benefit the local food shelter, TapIn, and the Barrington Lions Club Scholarship Fund.
14th annual Ocean House Marina Polar Plunge, Charlestown Town Beach, rhodeislandcan.org/polar-plunge, 11:30 registration for a noon plunge. The event helps Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need address food insecurity in the area.
If the thought of crawling out of bed on New Year’s Day is too much for you, try the Frozen Clam Dip and Obstaplunge on Saturday, Jan. 4, Goddard Park, 1095 Ives Road, Warwick, mentorri.org/frozenclam. Activities run from 11 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Challenge yourself to a ninja-style obstacle course on the beach and then take a dip in Narragansett Bay. The $44 fee supports the work of Mentor Rhode Island.
