Polar Bears poised for icy plunge in Sea Bright
BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer

Polar Bear Plungers get ready to take a dip Jan. 1, 2007, in Sea Bright.

SEABRIGHT- Have you ever felt the urge to take a dip in the ocean on a crisp January afternoon while raising some money for charity?

Well, the Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plungers have, and they have been doing so every Jan. 1 since 2002 to ring in the New Year.

Those who would like to participate are invited to join the nearly 100 other chilldefying souls who have already signed up for the fifth annual event online at www.sonsofireland.org. Registration will continue until Jan. 1 when would-be participants can sign up at 11 a.m. on the beach. The actual plunge will take place on the beach behind Donovan's Reef, located at 1171 Ocean Ave on Jan. 1 at 1 p.m.

"One of the great things to see is everyone down at the beach starting off their year by doing something they wouldn't otherwise do," said Dennis Nitka, one of the founding members of the Rumsonbased sponsor charity for the event, Sons of Ireland.

Nitka continued, "One of the things I love about [the plunge] is when people come out of the water who haven't done it before they look so thrilled."

According to founding member Sean Clifford, the Sons of Ireland is a nonprofit group founded in 2002 by Monmouth County men with the intent of supporting worthy causes and charities locally and performing community service.

"It's a way for us to affect our local community positively," said Nitka of starting the nonprofit group.

Proceeds fromthe event will be donated to two charities, Holiday Express and, as always, Clean Ocean Action (COA).

Holiday Express is a Monmouth County-based organization, which delivers music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year.

COA is a Sandy Hook-based organization dedicated to keeping the coastal waters of New York and New Jersey free of pollution. The organization Web site is www.cleanoceanaction.org.

"One of the great things about [the event] is to see the money that we raised doing good," said Nitka. He said it is great to see COAuse themoney to help the shore and that the organization has been a great partner to Sons of Ireland in helping with the event over the years.

He added, "It just fits well. The [plunge] is in the ocean and [COA] makes sure it is clean."

The event is open to anyone 18 years or older who signs a waiver, Clifford said previously. Those under age 18 can participate with a parent's or guardian's permission.

Besides the waiver, the only real requirement is that participants fully submerge themselves in the water if only for a minute, Clifford explained previously.

"My 7-year-old son did it last year and he thought it was the coolest thing in the world," said Nitka of the event, which he estimates has raised about $125,000 in total over the years.

According to Nitka, the event, which started in 2002 with about 25 plungers without any spectators on a public beach, has grown over the years.

He said, after the first year, the event grew to about 150 plungers running from the shore to the surf and the location moved to the beach behind Donovan's Reef.T

his year the group is expecting the same amount of plungers as last year, which was around 400, and organizers expect to raise around $30,000 for charity, a large leap from the first year total of $6,000.

"People give what they can," said Nitka. "We've had contributions a low as $20 and as much as thousands of dollars. Part of the neat thing is that the spirit of the event is everyone having a great time."

Participants can collect pledges or donate money themselves and prizes will be awarded for the top fundraisers as well as most original costume. Participants can also enjoy themusic of Bryan Kirk and the Jerks and food and drink will be served after the plunge.

Nitka said in the past, participants have come dressed as Winnie the Pooh, SpongeBob SquarePants and Fletch. Last year's winners of the costume contest were dressed as members of the hip-hop trio Run DMC.

Before the swim, the sounds of bagpipes playing will lead the participants' march to the beach and also bring a touch of the Irish heritage of group members to the event.

"It's a great way to start the year," said Nitka, who not only speaks from experience but also said everyone who has participated in the past has expressed the same feeling.