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BRRRR! POLAR BEARS PLUNGE FOR SPECIAL CAUSE
By Keith Hagarty
 | | --Photos By Keith Hagarty Courageous or just plain old crazy, over 2,500 plungers braved the frigid ocean temperatures to raise money for the Special Olympics at the 14th Annual Law Enforcement Polar Bear Plunge held in Seaside Heights last week. |
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Wrapping a towel around his shivering body, Kyle Draper jokingly said it takes a lot more than a blustery 33-degree Atlantic Ocean temperature to faze him.
"I may look like I'm really cold, but I'm just doing it to get some sympathy from my wife," he said laughing as the air temperature stood at a windy 38 degrees.
Draper joined 2,550 other plungers to brave the winter elements and take a dip in the icy surf on Saturday, February 23, for the 14th Annual Law Enforcement Polar Bear Plunge. Previ- ously held in Point Pleasant, the event has now moved to Seaside Heights.
"I'm really proud of him,"
said Draper's wife, Suzanne. "He did it a couple of years
ago, before I met him, so even though I thought he was crazy for doing it, I admit, it's nice to see him being a nutcase for a good cause all over again."
Watching her boyfriend, Ted Navarre, jog back to the boardwalk area, trying to get warm following his plunge, Jackson resident Sarah Conover said it's something Navarre talked about for months.
 | | Personifying the delicate line between guts and insanity, "Gleny" caps off his annual icy plunge with a proud pose for the ages. |
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"He kept telling me he was going to do it, but I didn't believe him because he's been saying that for
a couple years now- but
he finally did it," she said. "I'm really proud of him.
He'll probably want me to go in there next year, but I kind of like waiting on the beach for him to come out- plus, I can drink my hot chocolate here."
Despite the chilly temperatures, participants and onlookers brought their hot beverages and warm charitable spirit with them, as Lynn Schindel, communications manager for Special Olympics New Jersey, praised everyone involved.
"The event was a great success," said Schindel. "We're grateful to the community of Seaside Heights for being so supportive of the plunge, and we feel this was a very successful event. We look forward to next year."
Whether plungers soaked in the frigid Atlantic Ocean for a few minutes or for only a few seconds, their energetic dedication and collective generosity was greatly appreciated by Special Olympics New Jersey, which as of press time had raised over $625,000 and counting from the plunge.
"It's gratifying to know that people were willing to plunge into icy waters to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics New Jersey," she said. "It's with that kind of support that we can offer our athletes free programming and competition year round."
Participants gathered at the Aztec Ocean Resort, near the Seaside Crab House, on the boardwalk before the countdown to the plunge. Handling the logistics of thousands of plungers and their friends and families can prove to be a daunting task. However through the cooperation and compassion shown by all those involved, the event was pulled off without a hitch, according to Matthieu Nelessen, director of law enforcement sponsorship at Special Olympics New Jersey.
"For an event this size to run smoothly, it takes a team of true leaders and dedicated individuals," said Nelessen. "We feel that we had both."
This year's event drew plungers from all corners of the United States, including those from Alaska, ranging in age from a 3 year old girl to a 72-year old man.
As a seventh year plunger, Mike Campisano of the Bristol Police Department made the 182-mile trek from Connecticut with several fellow officers to partake in the icy dip and raise approximately $1,000.
"I dragged these guys down here," said
Campisano, pointing to his four partners. "It's really cold."
Trying to get warm and dry after his first ever polar bear plunge experience, Bob Osborne took the time to ponder his motivation for plunging.
"I was just glutton for punishment," he quipped. "But it does feel good to raise money for the Special Olympics, which is always great."
Andrew LaRue, of New Jersey State Police PBA 326, joined Campisano for his second plunge, saying the initial jump into the frigid water isn't the most shocking part of the experience.
"The wind really makes it a lot colder when you get out than it is when you're actually in the water," said LaRue. "As soon as you get out of the water, that's when it really hits you hard."
How has the plunge changed since Campisano jumped into the waters for the first time seven years ago?
"Cold is cold, that hasn't changed," he said, "although the crowd's definitely bigger this year."
When asked if he had any advice for those thinking about plunging for the first time at next year's event, Campisano offered a
quick and simple message.
"Make sure you're not sober," he joked. "But no, really we're looking to get even
more guys down here next year. This year I brought four (plungers). I'm hoping to get eight for next year."
The temporarily, brief discomfort of freezing cold limbs is nothing compared to the rewarding feeling of helping those less
fortunate, the plungers all agreed.
"It's for a good cause too," said LaRue. "We go into the water not just for ourselves,
but for the Special Olympics as well."
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