Getting ready for the L.B. Polar Bears plunge

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The Long Beach Polar Bears Super Bowl Splash is set for Feb. 4, when thousands of people are expected to take the annual plunge into the ocean to raise money for Make-A-Wish Metro New York, a foundation that helps fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Coordinated by the Long Beach Polar Bears club, the event is in its 20th year and has raised more than $5.6 million to date. Last year, about $524,000 was raised and 52 wishes were granted.

The tradition began in 1998, when co-founders Pete Meyers and Kevin McCarthy jumped into the freezing Atlantic waters 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 their friend Mike Bradley’s son, Paulie, who died of cancer at age 4 in 1997.

About 10,000 people are expected to gather on the beach near Riverside Boulevard at 12:30 p.m. to take the plunge at 1:30. Overall, the entire event is expected to attract about 30,000 people, Meyers said, including bystanders who watch from the beach and boardwalk.

So far, more than $136,000 has been raised this year alone through sweatshirt sales and donations using crowdfunding websites. This year’s sweatshirts and other apparel will be sapphire blue, McCarthy said, and they can be purchased at www.longbeachpolarbears.org.

On the day of the plunge, T-shirt sales will begin at 10 a.m. and those participating are required to sign a waiver before jumping in.

The event is one of the busiest traffic days of the year in Long Beach, making parking difficult. Organizers recommended carpooling or using public transportation like the Long Island Rail Road. The LIRR lot will also be available for parking, and shuttles will transport people to and from the West End.

City officials also said that the Foundation Block would be available for parking.

What you need to know for the big dip:

How do I get there?

As it’s one of the busiest traffic days of the year, parking is a challenge. If you live in Long Beach, it is recommended that you walk or take your bicycle to the beach. If you are coming from out of town, it is recommended that you carpool or use public transportation. 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 Bears booth at Riverside Boulevard.

Where can I enter the beach?

The following entrances to the beach are closest to the bandstand where the Polar Bears and city officials will be speaking. Note that the entrances should be less crowded the further you get from the bandstand.

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.

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

Source: Long Beach Polar Bears.