NORTH BEACH, Md. — North Beach is getting ready for its annual Polar Plunge on Jan. 1, 2026, an event that promises to be one of the “coolest” of the year.
This year’s event starts at 1 p.m. and takes off from the North Beach Boardwalk. It goes as long as you can stand being in the water — so, probably not very long. This year, all the proceeds from registration go toward supporting the Ladies of Charity Calvert County as they deliver essential food and support to families in need.
The pre-registration form is now open, and the cost to register is $25 through Dec. 22. There will also be a day-of registration option for $30, and interested participants can register at the Welcome Shack on the boardwalk no later than 11 a.m. All paying participants will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt.
After the plunge, participants and onlookers can enjoy hot chocolate, food trucks, live music and more as they warm up after the main event.
The plunge usually draws a big crowd. Polar Bear Plunges now take place all over the world, and many proponents think they help with muscle and brain health. Others are in it for the thrill, or on a dare, or maybe even because they lost a bet. Either way, something has to explain the need to jump into the coldest water in the world.
The average water temperature in North Beach in January is just 39 degrees, so at least it’s not literally below freezing.
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