4th Annual North Fork Polar Bear Plunge Set To Unfold With Frosty Fun

NORTH FORK, NY — A highlight of the winter season will be back soon as the 4th Annual North Fork Polar Bear Plunge unfolds.

The event takes place on Sunday, January 25; the charitable cold-water plunge is open to the public. The event will take place at Veterans Beach on the Peconic Bay in Mattituck, with plungers and supporters gathering to brave the cold to raise funds for the Center for Advocacy, Support & Transformation (CAST) and the Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program’s "Back to the Bays" initiative.

Participants can register in advance through the event website or on the day of the event, starting at 8:30 a.m.; the plunge itself kicks off at 10 a.m.

The Plunge has become a beloved highlight of the North Fork’s winter season, drawing more than 400 plungers and supporters in January 2025, organizers said.

This year, the North Fork Polar Bears are raising the stakes with a goal of 500 participants and a fundraising target of $50,000, organizers added. Once again, the event will feature Plunge Teams — community groups competing to raise funds for vital services and marine conservation efforts.

"Now that we are in our 4th year, it’s exciting to see the difference the Plunge makes, both for the community we live in and the water we swim in," said Patricia and Dav, co-founders of the North Fork Polar Bears. "It’s invigorating and joyful, with hundreds of people from all over showing up to brave the cold, cheer us on, and celebrate the things we love: community, water, joy on the North Fork. We’re also super excited to have launched the North Fork Polar Bears sponsored Southold Stewardship Site with Back to the Bays. We’re building seahorse hotels!"

All proceeds directly support two local causes: CAST, helping provide food relief, education, and support to North Fork and Shelter Island residents in need, and CCE Marine Program’s Back to the Bays Initiative, working to enhance marine habitat and shellfish populations along the North Fork and Suffolk County, including the creation of a new North Fork Polar Bear Marine Stewardship Site.

"Over the past few years, the Polar Bear Plunge has become a meaningful and memorable experience that brings our community together," said Erica Steindl, executive director of CAST. "While it’s a fun and energizing event, it also raises critical funds at a time when the need for our services is greater than ever. Every dollar raised for CAST helps ensure we can continue providing food access, education, and essential support to our neighbors who rely on us. We are incredibly grateful to the individuals, businesses, sponsors, and volunteers who make this event possible year after year. This generosity and commitment help strengthen our community and ensure that no one is left without support."

Kimberly Barbour, director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program’s Back to the Bays initiative, added: "What better way to connect with and help give back to our bays than taking the plunge and raising funds to enable us to continue to expand our oyster reef, seahorse conservation program, and hard clam seeding efforts. This event really encompasses the spirit of what the Back to the Bays Initiative represents, bringing together community and partners in support of advancing restoration and water quality improvement projects in our local waters. Proceeds from the event will continue the expansion of our North Fork Polar Bear-sponsored Stewardship Site in Southold, and enable us to also continue working with CAST to create opportunities for participation in hands-on education and stewardship-based programming throughout the year."

Registration levels are $15 (youth), $25, $50, and $125, with all participants receiving North Fork Polar Bear Plunge-branded merchandise and coupons to local businesses based on their registration tier. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Sponsorship opportunities are available, offering various levels of visibility, including inclusion in promotional materials.

Organizers thanked their Polar Bear level sponsor, Clear View Building Services; their Penguin Level sponsor, Magnusson Architecture and Planning PC; and their in-kind sponsors: Aldo’s Coffee Company, Borghese Vineyards, Bunji Box Sauna, Cifarelli’s Nursery, East End Beacon, Greenport Harbor Brewing Company, Greenport Pilates Yoga and Wellness, North Fork Arts Center, Northfork Sun, Panoramica, and The Suffolk Times.

To register, sponsor, donate, or fundraise, participants can click here. For sponsorship inquiries, individuals should contact CAST or the North Fork Polar Bears using the information provided through the event website.

Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately based upon weather conditions, whether in bathing suits, neoprene suits, or warm accessories such as swim gloves and winter hats. The plunge will take place rain, shine, or snow. In the event of extreme weather, registrants will be notified via email in advance.

"Join us on January 25, 2026, for an exhilarating day that embodies the spirit of community, care, and conservation. Together, we can make waves of positive change for our neighbors and our natural world," organizers said.