OCEAN CITY — Under cloudy skies threatening a sprinkling, hundreds of revelers flocked to Eighth Street beach in America’s Greatest Family Resort for the annual First Dip in the Ocean.
While it was a good 10 degrees cooler than Jan. 1, 2023, the new year started with an afternoon air temperature in the low to mid 40s and a water temperature of about 46 degrees.
So, once again, it was a terrific day for what has been billed as a “polar plunge,” a tradition in the city for more than two decades.
Part of the city’s First Day events — there’s also a boardwalk run — the plunge features a crowd of brave souls lined up on the beach ready to charge into the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean — and hundreds of spectators lined up on the beach and boardwalk to watch — as a way to usher in the new year in an invigorating, titillating fashion.
Costumes ranged from simple bathing suits to Santa suits, tutus to a less-than-appropriate Borat-style monokini.
Some undoubtedly were washing away the sins of the previous evening, while others, who attended the city’s popular alcohol-free First Night celebration, were just extending their holiday weekend.
Prior to the event, participants lined up on the boardwalk buying First Day merch and signing waivers outside the Music Pier, where the beat was pumping.
City resident Ryan Driscoll, 20, and friend Katie Conn, 19, were excited for the event.
Driscoll, a graduate of St. Augustine Prep, said he had taken part in the polar plunge in Sea Isle City and Margate before but it was the first time in Ocean City.
He said he does it to “start the year off right,” noting the weather was not too bad. “It could be worse.”
Decked out as pizza makers, 15-year-olds Casey Zaluske and Danielle Fredo of Woodstown were getting ready for the rush.
“It starts the year off good,” Fredo said.
Shannon and Dan McGroarty of Bensalem, Pa., with son Hendrix and friend Hunter, both 9, were visiting for First Night and First Day. Shannon said it was her fifth year in a row.
Longtime plungers Angela Matthis and Tara Peak were celebrating Matthis first wedding anniversary. Matthis and her husband, Keith, had gotten married last year in the city and took their first plunge together as a married couple.
“This is their 11th year,” Matthis said, who said it was not as nice out as last year but “still fun and totally worth it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for any weather,” Peak said.
Julie Wynn of Australia was up from Down Under with her husband and daughter Cierra, 14, visiting relatives Estelle Dolan of Ambler, Pa., and her children, Dexter, 13, and Spencer, 11.
Wynn said she had never been to a polar plunge before, quipping that it’s too hot in Australia. Dexter Dolan said they came out to the event to celebrate as a family, since they had not seen one another in nearly six years.
Pascual and Emilie Gutierrez of Hammonton brought daughter Isabella, 11, to the plunge for the third year in a row. Emilie has been taking part in the plunge since before her daughter was born, 15 or 16 years, she said. She does it for “the thrill, I guess.”
The Hammonton High School graduate said it’s better when it’s cold outside.
“When it’s hot outside, the shock of the cold water gets you,” she said.
Dressed as Santa and a fluffy white beard, Dave Finamore of Sicklerville was with a crowd of tutu-wearing teen boys and a couple of girls. The come for “the excitement and the adrenalin rush,” Finamore said.
As is tradition, the city’s royal ambassadors — Miss Ocean City Lola DiMarco, Junior Miss Ocean City Sarah Avellino and Little Miss Ocean City Stella Fleming led the way into the waves.
“This is my first plunge so I’m kind of nervous but I’m really exited,” Avellino said.
“I’ve never done it, I’ve never been brave enough,” DiMarco added.
Fleming is a veteran, having taken the plunge when her older sister Makenna was Junior Miss Ocean City.
“I don’t remember it being this cold, this is freezing,” she said.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
