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!

01/30/2025

So inspired by the joy and courage of all of these people who came together on Sunday for our 3rd Annual North Fork Polar Bear Plunge.

"Touted as more than just a fundraiser to benefit Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program Back to the Bays initiative and CAST North Fork organizers say the event provides an opportunity to come together as a community and find courage as individuals."
- The Suffolk Times

01/29/2025

Now that’s above and beyond! The fine people of Mattituck Fire Department literally breaking the ice for us, so that hundreds of extraordinary people could safely enjoy the thrill and all-in joy of the water - and ice! 🧊🥶❄️ Coldest yet, water temp 32.2 and air about the same.

Thank you Mattituck Fire Department! For the red carpet service and helping us all feel wonderfully taken care of! 🚒👨‍🚒🐻‍❄️💙

We’ve got our eyes on those dry suits too! 😁💛✨

Scroll to see the how many people felt the love 💙

🐻‍❄️
3rd Annual North Fork Polar Plunge
Benefiting two fantastic local causes CAST North ForkCornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program Back to the Bays Initiative

01/29/2025

Well, that was epic! We are in awe! All of you extraordinary people waking up today and saying Yes!

Water temp 32.2 (or 28), air 30, joy factor visible from outer space 🪐💙🐻‍❄️

Thank you!
Big love from us!

🐻‍❄️
3rd Annual North Fork Polar Plunge
Benefiting two fantastic local causes Back to the Bays Initiative
bit/ly/Plunge2025

Mattituck Fire Department CAST North Fork Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program Suffolk Times

02/06/2024

Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program Back to the Bays and CAST North Fork - Our heartfelt gratitude to you and all the plungers who braved the elements to plunge with us! The heart of our mission is to enhance community and help take care of the waters that bring us so much joy. We are honored and proud!

01/18/2024

Thank you Suffolk Times for helping spread the word about our upcoming Splash for CAST, benefitting CAST and Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program's Back to the Bays initiative.

Only 10n days to go!

Still time register, here:
CASTsplash2.givesmart.com

Pre-registration highly encouraged! Come early, enjoy hot chocolate, coffee and fine, courageous community.

https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/2024/01/north-fork-polar-bears-splash-for-cast-plunge-returns-jan-28/

“This year, we’re so excited because we get to [help] the community and the people and then we also bring in the environment, taking care of the waters that bring us so much joy but that also so many people depend on here on the North Fork,” Ms. Garcia-Gomez said.

The Back to the Bays program is dedicated to preserving and protecting local waters and providing a clean environment for native fish, waterfowl and plants while helping those who depend on the marine resources remain sustainable.

Back to the Bays will operate in partnership with the North Fork Polar Bears, Back to the Bays director Kimberly Barbour said.

“We’re going to have them helping us save the bay, help with some eelgrass restoration and habitat restoration,” Ms. Barbour said. “It’ll be a really great partnership moving forward.” she added.

CAST executive director Cathy Demeroto said the support from the community is “greatly needed and so appreciated.

“We are continuing to see a growing need in our community for food relief and emergency assistance, particularly during the difficult winter months,” she said. “Having this charity event to help support our programs to meet basic needs for our neighbors is incredible and appreciated by CAST and the people we serve.”

01/12/2024

It's official! The 2nd Annual North Fork Polar Bear Plunge in support of CAST and Back to the Bays- an initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine program dedicated to protecting and preserving Long Island waters- will take place Sunday, January 28! 9:30 am onsite registration begins. 10:30am plunge!

Online preregistration greatly encouraged.

Register/donate/be a fundraising champion at:
CASTsplash2.givesmart.com

Follow the North Fork Polar Bears on Instagram
for behind the scenes, cold water tips, and the joy of this community.

We're looking for 300 plungers to hep us raise $75,000 for NOFO families in need and taking care of the waters that bring us so much joy. We can make this happen with your generous support!

Can't wait to see you there!

CAST North Fork Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program Greenport Brewery Peconic NY THE GIVING ROOM Aldo's Coffee Company Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows northforker