8th Annual Polar Bear Swim, Saturday 1/1. You Gotta See This.

What’s a Polar Bear Swim? It’s crazy people who run into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean wearing summer garb for a winter swim…but it’s all for a good cause, so sanity need not apply!

The men and women of the nation’s military are expected to highlight the 8th annual Polar Bear Swim from the Portsmouth Rotary Club on Saturday, January 1 starting at 1pm.

The annual charity event, which encourages swimmers to welcome in the New Year by taking a dip in the icy cold water, will be held at the Great Island Common Beach in New Castle.

All proceeds of the swim will benefit local organizations and non-profits including Cross Roads House, Betty’s Dream, the YMCA, Camp Sunshine and the American Red Cross. In honor of veterans and current members of the armed forces, this year’s theme will be military. Organizers say the theme is especially appropriate since many service members from the USS Virginia, which is docked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, will be participating.

At 1 p.m. the bullhorn will sound and participants will take the plunge. Wow, you can feel your whole body turn to ice just watching them! Afterwards, swimmers will be greeted with warm food and drink, commemorative gifts, and “hearty congratulations.”

Head down to Great Island common on Saturday and watch the madness. You go Polar Bears!

Polar Bear Swim
Saturday, January 1; 1pm
New Castle Common, Route 1B, New Castle NH
Sponsored by the Portsmouth Rotary Club

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