A polar plunge is set to happen in Southampton on New Year’s Day.
It’s set to take place at the beach by the flagpole at the end of High Street at 2 p.m.
Co-organizer Jeff Cody says almost 400 people showed up to inaugural plunge last year, which kind of surprised him, “I just wasn’t expecting that many people there, or such a good turnout. It was phenomenal.”
The event is organized by Cody and Larry Leonard. Cody, who just opened the new store called Refresh on High Street says he’s been doing cold water therapy for a handful of years now and goes for dips with a group of people in Southampton regularly.
This will be the second year for the polar plunge, which is, for many a much shorter dip into frigid waters than perhaps what Cody is accustomed to.
For those who would like to take the plunge, Cody recommends wearing loose clothing or a housecoat over your swimsuit, so that it’s easy to put that back on when you get out of the water. He also recommends a towel. That part of the beach is rocky as you enter the water, so water shoes may also be helpful.
His advice for a polar plunge is to breathe evenly. “Once it starts to take your breath away, you need to calm your mind and you need to calm your breathing, slow in and out– it’s the only way you can get in and manage it.”
Firefighters will also be on hand in case of any emergency.
He warns people against diving in, noting there is the odd rock, and that kind of cold shock to the body from going in head first can be undesirable.
He says people are encouraged to bring food bank donations of either non-perishable food or cash donations.
Image from Jeff Cody
