1,100.
Brave souls. Last year — at Cooper’s Beach in Southampton, Main Beach in East Hampton, and Beach Lane in Wainscott — almost 3,000 people congregated on the sand and 1,100 dashed into the water. Main Beach’s is the biggest plunge, with 600 taking a dive and 800 cheering them on last winter. Wainscott drew 200 participants and Southampton, 300.
60.
Seconds — or less. That’s the average time spent in the water, with most particpants running back out as swiftly as possible. John Ryan Sr., an original organizer of the East Hampton plunge, explained proper procedure: “You go in to your upper thighs, then turn around and fall backwards.” Some kooks with a higher threshold “go swimming,” he said.
49°
Degrees — the average water temperature on the days of the plunges last time. Wainscott and East Hampton dive in on New Year’s Day, and on Jan. 1, 2024, the ocean was a balmy 48. The Southampton spectacle took place on Dec. 9, with polar bear people basking in 51-degree seas.
79°
Degrees — the water temperature at which hypothermia can set in, according to the National Weather Service. Safety in the water depends on how much clothing you’re wearing, your body composition and general health, your fitness level, and, of course, how long you stay in.
1.
Ambulance on standby, just in case someone’s heart can’t take it. Ryan cannot remember anyone being carted off from Main Beach, however. The sea is often warmer than the air, actually.
5.
Minutes. That’s how quickly ill effects may begin to show for swimmers in 40 to 50-degree water who aren’t wearing a wetsuit. Unconsciousness can follow in half an hour, but you might survive for up to an hour if afloat, they say.
850.
Items of polar-themed fund-raising swag sold last winter. Hats go like hot-cakes at the Wainscott and East Hampton plunges. The Main Beach caps are designed by students from East Hampton High School. Last year, they totally sold out (250 hats in Wainscott and 600 in East Hampton).
$390,000.
Big bucks. The real reason for the plunges is the good they do for charities on the East End. Last year, almost $400,000 came flooding in; a bulk $350,000, was raised in Southampton for Heart of the Hamptons. The Wainscott plunge raised $5,000 for the Sag Harbor food pantry and $35,000 at Main for the East Hampton food pantry.