Ventnor Polar Bears
Sunday was a beach day in Margate for thousands of New Year’s Day revelers. It was sunny and 60 degrees, although the ocean temperature was a bit cooler at 41 degress.
The weather made it easier for polar bears to hang out at local bars and on the beach, where they patiently waited for the noon and 1 p.m. starts.
In Margate, they gathered at Robert’s Place for the establishment’s 28th annual event. Sales of T-shirts commemorating the day raised funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. Overflow crowds gathered at Bocca Coal Fired Bistro a block away. At 11:45 they began marching to the beach for the city’s favorite tradition, taking a dip in the icy cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Kelly Smith of Ocean City tailgated with friends to celebrate the New Year and her 30th birthday.
“This is not my first time. We’ve been doing it for the last few years,” she said.
The owner of Hey Noon Fitness Center in Linwood, Smith said she started the day with some zen, then to Margate to celebrate with family and friends.
An hour later, it was Ventnor’s turn to take a jump in the ocean. Swag sold for the event will help the Ventnor Business Association support Ventnor businesses and the community.
The Ventnor plunge has gotten more popular every year and this year, there were more than 1,000 people gathered on the beach at Newport Avenue waiting for the signal to celebrate the New Year.
Beth Neiderman of Ventnor was celebrating her second plunge. This year she brought friends along to ring in the New Year as it only can be done at the shore.
Her friend Megan Matarese said she was ready for her first polar bear plunge.
“I love the cold,” she said. “I didn’t need much convincing.”
Ella Wainwright, 11, of Northfield, was there with her swimming teammates from the Seahawks Swim Team in Egg Harbor Township.
“I’ve been coming since I was 4,” she said.
The group said they made their plans to take the plunge over the Christmas break.
