Record turnout makes a splash at Waihī Beach Polar Plunge
Record turnout makes a splash at Waihī Beach Polar Plunge
Blue skies, wild costumes and serious courage collided at Waihī Beach on 11 July, as a record-breaking crowd threw themselves into the sea for this year’s Polar Plunge.
Around 200 brave souls stormed into the water in front of a huge, roaring crowd, turning Waihī Beach into a mid-winter carnival. Hosted by Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services, who resurrected the event a few years ago, the Plunge pulled in families, mates, community groups, and businesses.
The costumes stole the show with Freddy Mercury, Blue Bottle Jellyfish, and Hawaiian hula dancers among those picking up prizes on the day. The Stick Men bolted for the water early and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs went all in, swimming the full loop around the offshore can.
Four-legged plungers turned out in force too, thanks to a lively social media push getting local pups on board.
Once out of the water, plungers warmed up with hot food and drinks at The Deck.
Judge Hollie Jones said, “Being involved in Surf Club events is always a highlight for me. I love to see locals and visitors alike coming together in our beautiful corner of the world to do something different, brave and fun!”
“This year I also came on board as a judge, and boy was that tough. There were so many great costumes and enthusiastic plungers that I’ve never felt so much pressure in my life! Seriously though, the prizes and awards are fun but the real beauty of this event is just bringing everyone together in the middle of winter for that much needed human, and dog, connection.”
“How lucky are we to call this place, and the people we share it with, home. A huge thank you to the organising team for bringing this back year on year.”
Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services extends huge thanks to both judges, Hollie Jones from Waihī Beach Events & Promotions and Vicki Lambert, Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Events Specialist; supporters Surf Shack, Sauna Project – Waihī Beach and Bachcare, and everyone who entered, donated or turned up to cheer. Gold coin donations amounted to over $800 and are going straight to supporting the Club’s volunteer lifeguard services.
This event only goes ahead due to the commitment, time and energy of volunteers and this year we would like to thank Meredith and Nigel Miller, who stepped up when illness hit the organising team, our rego team extraordinaire Anna and Tianna Macdonald and Cora Barrett-Hodgson, our amazing photographer Alex Wilkins and our wonderful lifeguards who kept everyone safe in the water.
With record numbers and costumes this good, next year’s Plungers might need planning to start now.
