Name: Celebrating new year with Polar Bear Plunge in Asbury Park
Uploaded: 2026-01-01T18:38:50.274Z
Duration: 1 min 52 s
Description: The Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge takes place at The Berkley Hotel at 1 p.m.!

The Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge takes place at The Berkley Hotel at 1 p.m.!

Asbury Park

Hundreds of people gathered at Asbury Park, New Jersey, to participate in the annual Polar Bear Plunge, an event where participants take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean to celebrate the new year. Despite air temperatures of 27 degrees Fahrenheit and a wind chill making it feel like 7 degrees, more than 700 people registered for the event, which was held in front of the Berkeley Hotel.

The plunge, organized by the Sons of Ireland, aimed to raise funds for local charities, specifically the Samaritan Center in Manasquan and Hazlet Hope. Both organizations have annual budgets of around $30,000, and the event's fundraising efforts are expected to significantly boost their resources.

Celebrating new year with Polar Bear Plunge in Asbury Park

WELL IT MIGHT NOT LOOK LIKE A BEACH DAY, BUT THE FREEZING COLD WEATHER ISN'T STOPPING A FEW BRAVE SOULS FROM TAKING A DIP IN ASBURY PARK. THEY ARE STARTING THEIR NEW YEAR WITH A POLAR BEAR PLUNGE. NEWS 12 NEW JERSEY'S LAUREN DUE IS IN ASBURY PARK WITH MORE. LAUREN. Yeah, you know what Sima, let me just say, I would be plunging with them, but I didn't bring my bathing suit to work today. I didn't think I would need it, so here I am in my felt winter jacket, but at least you got a hat. Yeah, it's 27 degrees with the wind that's blowing right now. It actually feels like 7 degrees, but Dave said it. You go in that water, it actually is a little bit warmer. It's about 42, 45 degrees in the ocean. Hundreds of some really daring people, over 700 people signed up to jump into the Atlantic Ocean today are just watching the Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge. It's happening right in front of the Berkeley Hotel and it's all about raising money for charity. We spoke to some new plungers and to the organizers. It's going to be cold, but I'll do it. What about you? I'll stay in there the longest, it would be one hour. It's a tradition and we really love helping out the local charities. This year we're doing the Samaritan Center down in Manasquan and Hazlet Hope. Both charities are local and have budgets around $30,000 a year, so we can meaningfully help them double what they do, which is great. So it's cold, it's quick, and you could say it's the coolest way to bring in the new year. It's a big party out here, but the party's happening inside the hotel and that's where you're going to find me. We're at Asbury Park. Lauren Dew, News 12 New Jersey. Smart, Lauren. Skip the water, just go for the party. I like the idea. I like it.

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