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polar plunge

    THE PLUNGE

    Polar Bears Go All In for Sharks

    230 swimmers raise $25K for Coastal Studies shark research

    By

    PROVINCETOWN — Thick fog and relatively balmy 47-degree air greeted the brave participants lined up at Provincetown Harbor for the Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day.

    Two hundred and thirty people plunged into the harbor in Provincetown on New Year’s Day this year to raise money for the Center for Coastal Studies. (Photo by Nancy Bloom)

    The water was warmer than last year at 41° F, according to Brian Legare, resident shark specialist at the Center for Coastal Studies and an organizer of this year’s plunge. It was the eighth annual, and 230 real-life swimmers (plus 2 online virtual ones) raised $25,000 for the center’s shark research — a new record.

    Plenty of new participants were in the crowd.

    While nearly everyone’s toes are carefully beyond the waves, Trampolina Glenellen is ankle deep as she warms up the crowd for the plunge. (Photo by Nancy Bloom)

    Cheryl Marriott of South Boston was inspired to dip by her new girlfriend, Leah Lipschitz of Somerville, who was standing beside her. “These are things you do for love,” said Marriott. While she was expecting a little bit of hypothermia, she said, she also hoped the water would give her a spiritual boost.

    Two men in dinosaur costumes, Kevin Boserom and Jake Diliberto, both of Providence, R.I., only watched last year. “We were lookie-loos and we felt like we missed out,” said Boserom. This year they were all in.

    Kevin Boserom and Jake Diliberto, both of Providence, R.I., were all in this year after only watching last year. “We were lookie-loos and we felt like we missed out.” (Photo by Eric Alvarez)

    “I turned 69 the day after Christmas,” said Ann Roy of Harwich, fueling up on a hot coffee before attempting her first plunge. For her 70th year, she said, “I’m starting things off right.”

    With her was Bailey Roy, 28, also of Harwich, making her debut dip as well. She described herself as Ann’s cheerleader and safety monitor. “I’m going to have to drag her in, but also if she has a problem, I want to be there to help her.”

    The experience is apparently one some people enjoy enough to repeat. This was Mary Tares’s first Provincetown plunge, but last year she plunged elsewhere. “I really wanted to do it again.”

    Jackson Simmons and Stephen Larkin, both from Manhattan, give off Zen vibes as they wait for the plunge in spa robes and sunglasses. While Larkin said he dips to clear his mind, Simmons, a hairdresser, swears “cold water is great for your circulatory system, skin, and hair.” (Photo by Eric Alvarez)

    Chris Kennen is a cold plunge enthusiast from Los Angeles. “I love cold plunges,” he said, but then sheepishly confessed that he had only cold plunged in the confines of a cold pool in a spa.

    Kennen was with his friend Kara Kvileval of Long Island, N.Y., who, unlike many who said they were looking for spiritual cleansing, said, “I’m going to be cold. That’s it.”

    There was some chaos as the wet participants came tearing back to dry land and through the crowd to find their towels. Spirits were high, though, as swimmers and friends headed to warm up by way of chili. For the second year, Harbor Lounge co-sponsored along with the Provincetown Business Guild, providing its renowned bowls to the dippers post-plunge.

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