JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — For some, the new year starts with the ball drop in Times Square. However, in Jacksonville Beach, it’s a cold-water dive that kicks off 2025.
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“It’s like a new start; it’s like a self-baptism, ya know?” Tammi Wilson told Action News Jax Wednesday morning. “Get rid of all the old and bring in the new, and what’s the best way to do it? Refreshing and cold.”
More than a thousand people took part in this year’s Polar Plunge in Jacksonville Beach, a community tradition that’s been happening every January for more than 30 years. It brings Polar Plunge vets and first-timers alike.
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“Going in, it was actually like, ‘oh it’s actually not bad in there,’ but then coming out it’s like ‘oh my god,” Polar Plunge first-timer Susan Grobman told Action News Jax. “But we did it.”
The event is held every year by the city of Jacksonville Beach, partnering this year with Northeast Florida’s ‘Trimadness Endurance’ triathlon team.
People living at the beach told Action News Jax after Wednesday’s dive there’s nothing like starting a new year with a swim in the cold.
“It’s amazing to see so many people, the day after they probably had one too many glasses of champagne, it’s fun though,” said Katherine Davidson, who has participated in the Polar Plunge for 17 years now. “You know, we’re here with our neighbors, and I’m here in my bathrobe.”
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