L.B. Polar Bear Splash a go

With the Long Beach Polar Bears Super Bowl Splash set for Feb. 5, thousands of people will gather to take the annual plunge into the icy Atlantic waters to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The event – now in its 18th years and coordinated by the Long Beach Polar Bear Club — has raised about $5.3 million to date and raked in about $485,000 last year.

The plunge first began in 1998, when co-founders Pete Meyers and Kevin McCarthy jumped into the Atlantic on the morning of the Super Bowl. As interest in the dip spread, they turned it into a charity event to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in honor of friend Mike Bradley’s son, Paulie, who died of cancer at age 4 in 1997.

About 7,000 people are expected to gather on the beach near Riverside Boulevard at 12:30 p.m. to take the plunge at 1:30 p.m. The entire event is expected to attract 15,000 to 20,000 people, including bystanders on the beach and boardwalk, McCarthy said.

This year, McCarthy said that the Polar Bears set a goal to raise $300,000 and so far, more than $93,000 has been raised through donations and sweatshirt sales. This year’s sweatshirts and other apparel are red and available at www.longbeachpolarbears.org. T-shirt sales begin at 10 a.m., and participants are required to sign a waiver before the event.

“It’s all about raising money for the kids for Make-A-Wish and every year it gets better and better,” McCarthy said. “We’d like to have everyone come down and enjoy themselves.”

The event is one of the busiest traffic days of the year in Long Beach — parking is difficult, and organizers recommend car-pooling or taking public transportation.

Officials said that the Foundation Block would be available for parking as well as the LIRR station. The Parks and Recreation Department recommended that people use the city’s shuttle buses to get to the beach.

What you need to know for the big dip:

How do I get there?

One of the busiest traffic days of the year in Long Beach, parking is obviously very difficult. If you live in Long Beach, it is recommended that you walk or take your bicycle. If you are coming from out of town, it is recommended that you car pool or take public transportation. There are trains arriving in Long Beach at 10:42 a.m., 11:42 a.m., and 12:42 p.m., and trains leaving Long Beach at 2:25 p.m., 3:25 p.m., and 25 minutes after every hour throughout the day. The beach is about a half-mile walk from the Long Island Rail Road station on Park Avenue. 

How do I make a donation?

Visit superbowlsplash.kintera.org or make a donation in person at the Splash. All cash donations should be made at the official Polar Bear booth at Riverside Boulevard.

Where can I enter the beach?

The following entrances to the beach are closest to the bandwagon where the Polar Bears will be speaking. Please note that the entrances should be less crowded the further you get from the bandwagon.

The ramp from the boardwalk between Long Beach and Riverside boulevards. Access the boardwalk from Long Beach Boulevard and go to the right, or from Riverside and go to the left.

The ramp from the boardwalk between Riverside Boulevard and Edwards Boulevard.  Go onto the boardwalk at Riverside Boulevard and go right or at Edwards Boulevard and go left.

Long Beach Boulevard under the boardwalk.

Edwards Boulevard under the boardwalk.

The ramp on the boardwalk between Edwards and National boulevards. Go onto the boardwalk from Edwards and go right, or from National and go left.

National Boulevard under the boardwalk. 

Are there restrooms?

There will be porta-potties located by the street entrances and also at Riverside Boulevard where there is no longer a street entrance.

Can we bring alcohol, start a fire, or bring a pet?

Alcohol, fires and pets are not permitted on the beach or boardwalk at any time. 

For more information, visit www.longbeachpolarbears.org or www.longbeachny.gov

Source: Long Beach Polar Bears