Seaside Heights Shuts Beach To Stop In-Person Polar Bear Plunging

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — Normally, the Polar Bear Plunge fundraising campaign in Seaside Heights culminates with a mad dash to the water on a frigid February morning to celebrate the success.

With the coronavirus pandemic, the Polar Bear Plunge is being held virtually for 2021, with no mass ocean plunge scheduled and plungers encouraged to stay off the beach.

"The ocean is very dangerous this time of year," Seaside Heights officials said. "The multi-jurisdiction ocean rescue resources that are normally available for the event are not available this year.

"So be advised that the Borough will restrict access to the beach on April 17th and position police and code enforcement officers to enforce municipal ordinances that prohibit entering the ocean when lifeguards are not present," officials said.

"We are taking this action in the interest of your personal safety as well as the safety of our first responders who might otherwise be called upon to risk their lives because of poor decisions made by others," officials said.

The Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights is sponsored by New Jersey law enforcement agencies to raise money for the Special Olympics of New Jersey. It raised more than $2 million in 2020.

But the highlight has been the plunge itself, with teams coming in wild costumes from all over the state.

This year, the plunge organizers have urged people to do their plunging at home, using buckets of water, Super soakers, water balloons, a kiddie pool or even an ice bath, filming it and uploading it to the plunge's website.

"Special Olympics is an awesome cause for fundraising, and for many years the Borough of Seaside Heights has teamed with NJ Law Enforcement to produce a safe, fun and financially successful fundraising event. However, this year we must instruct you to avoid the ocean," Seaside Heights officials said. "Stay out. Stay alive."

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