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Polar Bears take to chilly Atlantic on New Year’s Day

Nearly 30 jumpers plunge to welcome 2018
The father-and-son duo of polar bear plungers Greg, right, and Bryan Mack leave the icy Atlantic after taking the annual New Year’s Day plunge. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
January 2, 2018
Thirty people took the plunge into the Atlantic Ocean New Year’s Day to celebrate the first day of 2018.
Connie Miller of Lewes has taken the plunge nearly every year since its inception in 1982.
Trevor Ricker, center, leads his fiancée Lacey Mallman, right, and father Keith into the frigid Atlantic.
Plungers scramble to exit the frigid water. Shown are (l-r) Jack Frederick, Emily Southmayd, and Keith and Erin Ricker.
Spencer Steele, left, and Jack and Bill Lingo sprint from the chilly surf.
Bill Lingo hurriedly puts on his clothes after jumping.
Veteran plunger Chip Davis sprints into the surf.
Max Coveleski sprints onto the beach after taking the plunge.

About 30 brave revelers plunged in the Atlantic Ocean at the beach at Cape Henlopen State Park to celebrate the New Year’s Day tradition to welcome the new year. The 42-degree water temperature probably felt warm compared to the 20-degree air temperature.

“It was warmer in the water than on the beach,” said veteran plunger Greg Mack.

Taking the New Year’s plunge were Dale Johnson; Dan, Madison and Austin MacElrevey; Keith, Trevor, Andrew and Erin Ricker; Lacey Mallman; Emily Southmayd; Neal Stein; Jeff Butillo; Spencer Steele; Trevor Shafran; Lillie, Jack and Bill Lingo; Bryan and Greg Mack; Connie Miller; Jack Frederick; Chip Davis; Kevin Roach; Bob Hughes; Karen, James and Tom Gusmer; Max Coveleski; Chris Gill; Joe Cahill; and dogs Shady and Deuce.

“It was the coldest plunge I’ve done in the past 20-plus years,” said veteran plunger Keith Ricker.

“I never expected to have to dodge a patch of ice on my way to jump into the ocean,” said first-time plunger Lacey Mallman.

“Next time I plunge, I’ll make sure my awaiting clothes are not inside out,” said first-time plunger Emily Southmayd. “It really takes your breath away ... in addition to all feeling in your hands and feet.”

The Lewes Polar Bear Plunge was founded in 1982 by Dave “Fredman” Frederick, Dennis Forney, Tim Pfieffer, George Pepper and John Ellsworth.

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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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