Heart of the Hamptons Polar Bear Plunge

Scores of courageous people took to the waves on Saturday, December 14, at Cooper’s Beach in Southampton, for the 16th annual Heart of the Hamptons’ Polar Bear Plunge, which raises money for the organization. The beach was filled with more than 300 eager participants.

The morning of this plunge was unseasonably warm, with 50-degree ocean waters, however, there were high winds and waves reaching more than 10 feet in height. For everyone’s safety, the Southampton Ocean Rescue team warned the participants to not go in water deeper than their waist.

Even with walls of water crashing into them, all of the participants were more than happy to dive in head first and many of them plan to attend the Polar Plunge at Main Beach on New Year’s Day.