What is a polar plunge?
ACROSS the US, people have continued to participate in the polar plunge since its inception in 1904.
The event takes place annually but in some areas, it is a weekly occurrence.
What is the polarpPlunge?
The polar plunge finds locals and visitors to major cities worldwide willingly charging into frigid waters.
Every New Year's Day, thousands of people show up for the polar plunge and new events are popping up across the US including remote areas such as Lynchburg, Virginia where locals participated in their second annual event.
The polar plunge is believed to have originated in the US in Boston, Massachusetts in 1904.
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It started when the L Street Brownies, a swim team founded in 1902, darted into the water on New Year's Day, creating a cultural phenomenon that continues a century later.
The polar plunge has now become more than just a recreational activity as cities and towns are using the event as a means of fundraising for those in need.
Is the Polar Plunge a fundraising event?
The polar plunge, sometimes known as the polar bear plunge, has been capitalized on in recent years as an opportunity to fundraise for the community.
Each type of fundraiser varies depending on the event location, ranging from recreational funding to the Special Olympics held in their locality.
The Special Olympics organization of New Hanover County in Wilmington, North Carolina benefited from the 2022 polar plunge at Kure Beach Pier.
Cassie Danforth, a plunge participant, and Special Olympics coach told WECT6 News said participating in the event brings her and the community joy.
“I think it’s great everyone is coming out for a good cause," she said. "Everyone is here, having fun, and happy even though it’s a little cold."
Meanwhile, participants of the 2022 Coney Island polar plunge ran into the ice-cold waters for the 119th time to raise money for New York-based non-profits.
The non-profits that receive the funds include the New York Aquarium, the Coney Island History Project, Coney Island USA, and the Coney Island YMCA, amongst others.
The Coney Island plunge raised a total of $45k on January 1, 2022, while North Carolina's event raised just over $53k.
Is the Polar Plunge dangerous?
The chances of illness or risk are minor for those participating in the polar plunge, according to Doctor Andrew Schmidt, an emergency medicine physician at UF Health in Jacksonville, Florida.
However, he said there are some high-risk people who should prepare for the event ahead of time.
"Participants can get what’s called initial cold shock response and with that can actually come some risks," Schmidt told Fox Weather. "People, especially with heart disease, would be at a higher risk of having abnormal heart rhythms or going in even into cardiac arrest."
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Some things to keep in mind when participating, according to the National Resources Council of Maine are:
- Wear a bathing suit - your wet clothes will stick to your skin making you colder
- Do not spend longer than 15 minutes in the water - the cold water can cause you to lose consciousness.
- Do not fully submerge yourself in the frigid water - the cold may shock the system and cause hypothermia to set in
- If you have heart problems, you should consult with your doctor before participating in the polar plunge
- Towel off and change into warm clothes as soon as you exit the water
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