North Fork Polar Bears

01/29/2026

Hi everyone! We have to bow in wondrous appreciation to Mother Nature. This is the first time in ten years that the North Fork has experienced so much extreme polar weather all at once.

While we generally love winter weather, we love the wellbeing of our vibrant community even more. With another storm on its way, and the continuing extreme cold temperatures, Mother Nature is not supporting the notion of a public plunge event.

We are proud and hugely grateful
- You’ve shown more community support and excitement than ever, which warms us to the core.
- Over 150 brave plungers have pre-registered and over 300 donors have signed up to show their support.
- We also have double the local businesses joining in the community spirit
- And if precedent serves, at least 100 of you planned to register on the day of the event.
- We are in awe of you, and this community, and the shared love for community, joy, water on the North Fork.

THANK YOU

Although this year’s Polar Bear Plunge won’t be held in person, you can still celebrate the tradition by picking up your plunge merchandise at CAST! Plus, the first 50 people to pick up their items will receive a free sweatshirt!

Packages will be available for pickup at CAST, located at 53930 Main Road in Southold. Please visit the Treiber Hall using the entrance off of the Main Rd.

Merchandise pickup dates and times are as follows:
Thursday, January 29: 12:00–4:00 PM
Wednesday, February 4: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Thursday, February 5: 2:00–5:00 PM
Saturday, February 7: 1:00–3:00 PM (Main Building – CAST Treiber Hall)

If you’re interested in learning more about cold water plunging, we invite you to visit the North Fork Polar Bears at https://www.northforkpolarbears.org/.

Thank you again for your patience, understanding, and unwavering support. We are so appreciative of this incredible community.

With LOVE
Your plunge support team.

01/26/2026

Hi everyone! The 4th Annual North Polar Bear Plunge has been postponed to this upcoming Sunday February 1 in order to ensure a safe and fun experience for our plungers and spectators.

That gives us an additional week to get excited and get ready for some epic fun and community in support of what we love:community , joy, water on the North Fork ❤️

Stay safe, be well, see you next weekend.

And if you still haven’t signed up, no better time than now. 🥰

4th Annual North Fork Polar Bear Plunge
Sunday, February 1
Veterans Beach, Mattituck

Same great experience, new day 🐻‍❄️❤️

01/16/2026

Speaking from personal experience, there are four distinct stages to a cold plunge with the North Fork Polar Bears. The first is trepidation, as you slip off your dry robe on a windy beach and will yourself into chilly water. Then comes shock, as your body reacts to the sudden drop in temperature an...

01/16/2026

Trepidation. Shock. Calm. Clarity.
Those are the four stages most people new to cold plunging experience during a winter dip with the North Fork Polar Bears — and next Sunday, Jan. 25, the community is invited to experience them firsthand at Veterans Beach. The fourth annual North Fork Polar Plunge supports C.A.S.T. North Fork and Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine program's Back to the Bays initiative.

Speaking from personal experience, there are four distinct stages to a cold plunge with the North Fork Polar Bears. The first is trepidation, as you slip off your dry robe on a windy beach and will yourself into chilly water. Then comes shock, as your body reacts to the sudden drop in temperature an...

12/31/2025

REGISTER TODAY

4th Annual North Fork Polar Bear Plunge
Sunday, January 25
8:30am Pre-plunge fun (like our own mobile sauna!)
10am Plunge!

The North Fork Plan Bears, CAST, and Back to the Bays are thrilled to present the 4th Annual North Fork Polar Bear Plunge, a beloved high energy winter tradition where community and conservation unite.

Warm up with coffee, hot cocoa, and excitement as hundreds brave plungers and brave supporters gather at Veterans Beach this January 25th for an unforgettable event, raising critical funds to for CAST and Back to the Bays. Be part of the exhilarating event to fuel programs that care for the community we live in and water we swim in!

All registered plungers get to enjoy our mobile wood-fired sauna!

Sign up, create a team, or become a sponsor today. Learn more: https://www.northforkpolarbears.org/plunge

Register here: tinyurl.com/4thannualplunge

Your questions answered here: https://www.northforkpolarbears.org/plunge

The water loves you!