New Year’s Day traditions along the Gulf Coast are just as diverse as the people living here. Some traditions include family gatherings and eating black-eyed peas, while other customs include pledging resolutions for the year. However, many just simply recover from their night of New Year’s Eve festivities.

For those looking for a breath-taking New Years’ experience, a dip in the wintry, coastal waters precisely at noon might be just the tradition for you. 

   Jan. 1 is the official day when Polar Bear organizations throughout North America plunge into frigid waters. In Orange Beach, Ala., people of all ages turn out to participate in the annual Polar Bear Plunge, a grassroots event held at the Flora-Bama.

Participants line up along the shore and wait for the countdown cue, then sprint into the frigid surf. Some people only go in ankle deep while others tread about half way into the water. The hard core polar bear swimmers plummet right in. Most everyone that enters the water retreats rather quickly!     

 Nick Bouler, a previous participant, describes his experience by saying, “I was chilled all over, even though I only went out waist deep into that freezing water.”

  Each year it’s hit-and-miss as to what the ambient air and water temperatures might be like. Although our coastal winter temperatures are mild at times, our Northern counterparts indulge in waters from 50 down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, often cutting through thick sheets of ice for water access. 

  Along the Gulf Coast, the water tends to range around 54-60 degrees Fahrenheit—give or take—during this time of year.

   Everyone is welcome to take part in the Polar Bear Plunge, or just stand on the shore and cheer on the fun. Memorabilia T-shirts can be purchased and there will be plenty of traditional black-eyed peas to warm you up afterwards.

Oh! And don’t forget to bring a towel and a warm change of clothes.