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Lewes Polar Bears take the plunge on New Year’s Day

Polar bears have plunged since 1982
Polar Bears take to the surf at Cape Henlopen State Park. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
January 2, 2025

Nearly 100 people braved the chilly wind and ran into the frigid 47-degree Atlantic Ocean Jan. 1, at Cape Henlopen State Park for the annual New Year’s Day Lewes Polar Bear Plunge to celebrate the beginning of 2025.

The Lewes Polar Bear Plunge was started in 1982. The group plunges the first Sunday of every month from November through March, except January, which is always held on New Year’s Day.

Nearly 100 Polar Bears pose for the annual pre-jump picture.
Mia Watts, 11, left, and Raelee Lingo, 10, are friends who took the plunge together.
Veteran Polar Bears back for 2025 are Bryan Mack, left, and Tom Gusmer.
Taking the 2025 Polar Bear Plunge are (l-r) James, 12, Jack, Suzannah, Lina, 17, Meredith, 14, and Will Frederick, 15.
Macy Steinwedel runs out of the chilly Atlantic.
Ann Cameron just took the exhilarating plunge.
Ella Rishko exits the chilly ocean waves.
Veteran Polar Bears Bob Hughes, left, and Ann Cameron exit the 47-degree Atlantic Ocean.
Taking the plunge are friends (l-r) Lyle DeLarosa, Michael Catts, Max Coveleski and Troy Cannatelli.
Veteran plunger Ben Summers leaves the surf.
D.J. Hughes sprints out of the surf.
A group takes off toward the ocean.
There they go! A group sprints to the surf.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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