By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
This girl’s reaction indicates the temperature of the water during the annual Sea Isle City Polar Bear Plunge Saturday. Hundreds took to the water, racing in and rushing right out.
SEA ISLE CITY — Some people went into the water. Others just came to watch. Some were there just for fun. Others for a cause.
Bernadette Sherman, Jody Hammond and Diane Boudwin used Sea Isle City’s annual Polar Bear Plunge celebration to wait in line for their chance to be photographed atop the ice throne on a pickup truck parked outside La Costa Lounge. The trio, from Springfield, Pa. (Hammond has a home in Sea Isle, too), were enjoying themselves on the throne, but they were not going into the water on a day that started with temperatures in the teens but rose into the high 30s by plunge time.
“Been there, done that,” Sherman said. “It was on my bucket list and I did it once. Once was enough,” she laughed.
Katie Smith of Vineland and Laura Seay of Stowe Creek have been doing the plunge for years and were at the 2020 event with Samantha Seay and Mason Seay. All but Mason were dressed as snowmen.
“We wish there was some cold weather this year with some snow falling, so we’re making our own snow and turning into snowmen,” Laura said. Samantha, 13, said it was her third year doing the plunge.
“It’s fun running into the water in the cold,” she added, but not as much fun coming out because it’s even colder.
Teenagers Anna Winters and Maddie Burt, of Lititz, Pa., were in their bathing suits. Their rationale for the plunge? “Why not? It’s on the bucket list,” they said in unison moments before running screaming into the water.
James Price and his daughter Malia Price of Catasauqua, Pa., drove two hours from the Lehigh Valley to take part.
For Malia, the reason for going in was similar to the Lititz teens’. “Why not?” But was she looking forward to getting into the water? “No!” she laughed.
Her father had a more specific reason. “I’m a special ed teacher and this is a fundraiser for autism. I decided to help the cause,” he said.
Temerity Berry of South Dennis and Sarah Vandever of Dennisville were smiling and taking selfies as they walked out of the water. They, too, had a special reason for doing the plunge. Berry’s son is on the autism spectrum and Vandever said she has two nieces and nephews on the spectrum.
“I plunged because life is much harder for my son, who is on the spectrum of autism,” Berry said. “I plunged because every day is that hard for him. I’m thinking of him. If his day is this hard, every single day, to feel such sensory issues, I’m plunging for him for just one day.”
On Sunday, Mike’s Seafood and Dock Restaurant sponsored the Polar Bear Run/Walk 5K for autism, an event that annually draws hundreds of runners along the promenade in Sea Isle City. This year, Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife, Tammy, were among the runners.
Proceeds from the 5K support special services schools, autism support groups and families of special-needs children in Cape May and Atlantic counties.
