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Polar Bears take annual New Year’s Day plunge

Nearly 70 people took the plunge Jan. 1 at Cape Henlopen State Park. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
January 5, 2022

Nearly 70 men, women and children braved the rainy weather and took the plunge to celebrate New Year’s Day 2022 at Cape Henlopen State Park. The water temperature was 47 degrees while the air temp hovered in the 50s and 60s.

Taking the plunge were Joey Cahill, Lindsay D’Ambrogi, Ben Summers, Roxy Costillo, Bob Hughes, Bill Clark, Chip Davis, Jamie Whitten, Larry Sharp, Connie Miller, Kevin Rough, Bruce Egolf, Greg and Bryan Mack, Tom and Wendy Gusmer, Pat Backus, Corey Green, Brandon Evans, Virginia Robins, Ryan King, Mia and Clinton Watts, Emily King, Richard, Amanda and Gus Lantz, Porter Marvin, Bill, Raelee and Cannon Lingo, Jack and Tessa Lingo, Jack, Meredith, Lina, James and Susannah Frederick, Ricky Cooper, Steve Peet, Max Coveleski, Dan Mazoz, Jackie LaPenta, Dan MacElrevey, Kim and Greg Raschnorf, Kyle Mays, Aric King, Lion Gardner, Christine and Ryan Bobik, and Charlie Burton.

Enjoying the post-plunge thrill are (l-r) Tessa Lingo, Amanda Lantz and Celeste Marvin.
Getting warm after the plunge are Rich, Amanda and son Gus Lantz.
Bob Hughes says the water is a little chilly.
Lindsay D’Ambrogi exits the chilly Atlantic.
Getting warm after the plunge are Adam and Celeste Marvin, and their children Porter and Averie.
Lina Frederick runs quickly from the 47-degree water.
Posing for a post-plunge picture are (l-r) Greg and Bryan Mack, and Christine and Ryan Bobik.
Veteran plunger Bruce Egolf couldn’t enter the water due to a back injury, so Tom Gusmer and Connie Miller brought the plunge to him to keep his record of 30-plus years intact.
It’s a family affair at the plunge as young and not so young take the plunge.
Let’s go !
Veteran plunger Greg Mack exits the 47-degree water.
Bill Lingo gets warm with his children Raelee and Cannon.
Mia Watts and Bill Lingo run from the chilly water.
Revelers play in the chilly surf.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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