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Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics sets records
More than 3,700 bears brave the cold for a quick dip in the Atlantic Ocean
This iPhone panorama from the roof of Atlantic Sands gives a sense of the size of the 2020 crowd in Rehoboth Beach for the annual Polar Bear Plunge. DENNIS FORNEY PHOTO
February 4, 2020
The 29th annual 2020 Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Delaware Feb. 2 was a record setter, with 3,733 bears jumping in the Atlantic Ocean at Rehoboth Beach.
A record $1 million was raised.
Winners of the chili cook-off contest were: 1. Cafe Azafran; 2. Mariachi Restaurant; 3. Dos Locos.
Ice cream contest winners were: Judge’s Choice, Kilwin’s, and People’s Choice, Hopkins Farm Creamery.
Best wings were: Judge’s Choice, Bethany Blues, and People’s Choice, Iron Hill Brewery.
After a quick dip into the ocean, bears make a quick exit back to the beach. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Some of the more than 3,700 bears run into the Atlantic Ocean at the start of the 29th annual Polar Bear Plunge. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Veteran bears Larry Evans of Milford and Robb Dunne of Snow Hill, Md., contemplate the upcoming plunge. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
It’s the fastest event in Delaware. The average bear spends less than one minute in the Atlantic Ocean. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
It’s every man, woman and child for themselves as plungers run to escape the cold water. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Jason Phryt of Middletown enjoys his time in the 42-degree ocean. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
I’m a wet, cold Batman. Characters of all descriptions take part in the annual event. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Carlos Pruge, of Rehoboth Beach and Washington, D.C., puts another plunge in the books. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Peter Pizzologo of Rehoboth Beach and Washington, D.C., emerges from the chilly ocean. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Leisure Point Plungers pose for a team photo at the Special Olympics sign, showing the water and air temperatures at 42 degrees. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Delaware friends do a happy dance to keep warm prior to the plunge. They are (l-r) Monica Bayless, Hannah Dukes, Cinzia Lombardo and Nicole Francis. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Veteran bears father and daughter Kenny, 20 years, and Danielle Kreider, 17 years, of Wilmington brave the chilly weather. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Six Sassy Sandy Paws wait on the Boardwalk to plunge. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Kansas City Chiefs fans Thea and Trevor Ward of Dover take a selfie along the shoreline. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Andy West works to redo the Polar Bear sand sculpture after it was flattened overnight. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Members of the Fallen Angels (l-r) Sarah Canale, Kim Poe, and Amberly Poe find a place on the beach. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Pete Faverio is on top of the massive sand sculpture created just for the Polar Bear Plunge. The first sculpture was damaged during the night, but the artists were back early the next day to redo it. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
A section of the Polar Bear Plunge sand sculpture awaits some work after being destroyed the night before. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Shawn West puts the finishing touches on a Polar Bear plunge 2020 ice sculpture. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Pam Cannon, left, is ready to plunge with Michael Bowe of Milford. Cannon knows how to pick a winner, as the Chiefs won the Super Bowl later that night. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary get their final instructions before heading to the beach to help with crowd control. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Team Western Pole-R Express raised more than $45,000 to support Special Olympics Delaware. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Members of the Wawa Foundation pose for a group photograph at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand. Wawa is a major sponsor of the event. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Team Project Sparkle On not only participates in the plunge, its members provide outreach programming to children to encourage them to become involved in acts of kindness and community service. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Adam Levin and his family have raised more than $1 million to support Special Olympics Delaware. Each year they match all donations they receive the day of the Polar Bear Plunge. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
This team sports a Star Wars and Monsters Inc. theme. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Team Phillips from the University of Delaware is dressed for the occasion as penguins. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The McKean Highlanders pose for a team photograph along the shoreline. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Part of the record crowd readies for a run to the ocean with just minutes remaining for the start of the Polar Bear Plunge. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Plungers exit and enter the ocean during the fast and furious first few minutes of the event. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Sydney Leipold, 2 of Wilmington, has a focused look while seeing if this sample of ice cream tastes good. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTO
Special Olympics volunteers, l-r, Karen Virion, Lois Replenski and Cynthia Sammons check people in. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTO
Judge Alex Steverwalk of Middletown enjoys a wing. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTO
There was a line out onto the sidewalk almost as soon as the event began. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTO
Among those dressed in silly costumes were Nathan, right, and Graham Bragaw, who made the trip from Pennsylvania. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTO
Tomas Sugzdinis, 11 of Limerick, Pa., turns in a ticket to Hopkins Dairy Farm's Lisa Mangiello. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTO
Messy fingers, messy plate, messy score sheet – food judging at its finest. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTO
The Sand Sculpting team sign.
Watching the progression of the sculpture. DENY HOWETH PHOTO
Story skies didn’t deter the sand sculpting team. DENY HOWETH PHOTO
Polar Bear takes a dive on the sand sculpture. DENY HOWETH PHOTO
Keeping the sand damp during the build is important. DENY HOWETH PHOTO
