The WaveMasters Surf Club will once again host the Annual Polar Plunge this coming New Year’s morning in Jacksonville Beach. They will begin to gather at 8 a.m. at The Seawalk Pavilion, next to The Lifeguard Station, for a 9 a.m. plunge.
Plungers must wear only swimming attire and completely submerge in the chilly Atlantic Ocean. Longsleeve commemorative Polar Plunge T-shirts will be on offer, as well as free stickers to participants. There will be prizes for youngest and oldest Plungers, and the Plunger that traveled the farthest.
What started over 20 years ago by a few crazy surfers here in Jax Beach has grown to see as many as 500 participants show up for this annual celebration. It may not have the icy conditions of The Polar Plunges way up North, but it’s still a great way to start the New Year.
The WaveMasters started over 30 years ago when Sandy Forsyth of Aqua East and Bill Hixon of Hixon’s Surf Shop, started a Pro/Am Contest to raise money for local charities, while raising the reputation of the sport of surfing. The contest has since grown into one of Florida’s largest and most prestigious surf events, raising thousands annually for local non-profit organizations. This May will mark the 30th anniversary for the Annual WaveMasters Pro/Am at The Jacksonville Beach Pier.
Current recipients from the contest’s proceeds include The Carver Center, which provides a safe environment in the area known as “The Hill” for children to participate in sports programs, art, computer skills, field trips and more.
Beaches Watch is a community organization which closely monitors the activities and plans of the beaches governments and keeps the citizens abreast of all local issues and agendas.
The Jacksonville Beach Lifesaving Corps just celebrated their 100th Anniversary. They help keep our beaches a safe environment and a top travel destination for vacationers around the world. Their competition team consistently places in the winners’ circle both locally, nationally, and internationally.
