Warm, Wet, Wacky Weekend in Wildwood

Updated: Jan 15

Brian Hester Reporting

Wildwood, NJ

The annual Polar Bear Plunge at Wildwood to benefit Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) drew huge crowds today at Wildwood, NJ due in part to the record high temperatures. In these plunge events participants are required to raise a certain minimum donation amount to gain the privilege of jumping in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of NJ in January. Many of these folks are die hard supporters of this cause, Special Olympics New Jersey, but also love the thrill of taking a quick dip in the chilly ocean, or as they like to say Freezin for a Reason. You can join in on the amazing fun on Feb. 22, 2020 in Seaside Heights, NJ. For more info of to register / donate, click here.

Plungers charge into the Atlantic to support Special Olympics New Jersey. Saturday Jan. 11, 2020 Photo by Brian Hester

Huge crowds file onto the beach in the middle of winter to support Special Olympics New Jersey. Saturday Jan. 11, 2020 Photo by Brian Hester

This years event drew over a thousand participants, or plungers as they are called, that raised over $330,000 to benefit Special Olympics New Jersey. In case you feel you missed out or if our Broadway readers wish to give this highly exhilarating event, you are in luck as there will be one more in Seaside Heights, NJ on Feb. 22, 2020. For more info on donating or joining in on the fantastic fun click here for more info

Tyler Matthews, aka The Pink Carebear, toss a football along the Boardwalk prior to the Plunge. Many plungers take pride in dressing up in colorful costumes. Saturday Jan. 11, 2020 Photo by Brian Hester

Buzz and Woody take an interview with telemundo TV post plunge. This pair, dressed as the beloved Disney characters came out to support Special Olympics New Jersey. Saturday Jan. 11, 2020 Photo by Brian Hester

L-r, Ryan Saul, Lilly Stark, Emily Saul, Jordan Pardallas, Matthew Joy, all of Baskin Ridge, NJ make a quick retreat after a successful mid-winters ocean plunge. The group of friends came out to support Special Olympics New Jersey. Saturday Jan. 11, 2020 Photo by Brian Hester

Plungers getting pumped up minutes prior to taking the Plunge. Huge crowds came to the beach in the middle of winter to support Special Olympics New Jersey. Saturday Jan. 11, 2020 Photo by Brian Hester

Mary Ann Rementer. one of hundreds of plungers, stops to say thank you to a Wildwood Firefighter as many members of the department came out to protect the crowd during the event. Saturday Jan. 11, 2020 Photo by Brian Hester

Two minions, April Kernell and Don Emery, warm up with a kiss post plunge. The pair came out in the middle of winter to support Special Olympics New Jersey. Saturday Jan. 11, 2020 Photo by Brian Hester

A group of plungers warms up post plunge, Jersey Style, in a portable hot tub set up on the bed of a trailer. Scott Jarvis, back to camera in black and orange event hoodie, owner of Diamond Pools has brought the portable hot tubs to the event for over a decade. Saturday Jan. 11, 2020 Photo by Brian Hester