The Coast News Group
Participants dash into the Pacific during the inaugural First Day Polar Plunge on New Year's Day at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
Participants dash into the Pacific during the inaugural First Day Polar Plunge on New Year's Day at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
CitiesCommunityEncinitasEncinitas FeaturedNews

Swimmers brave chilly Pacific for inaugural Polar Plunge in Encinitas

by Jordan Ingram896

ENCINITAS — Dozens of swimmers rang in the New Year with a cold-water plunge Thursday morning during the inaugural First Day Polar Plunge at South Cardiff State Beach.

Hosted by California State Parks, the free community event invited participants to take a dip in the Pacific on Jan. 1 near Lifeguard Tower 11, marking the start of the year with a bracing swim.

Afterward, participants warmed up by the fire pits, with hot drinks offered on shore. The event ran from 10 a.m. to noon.

Vista resident Natasha Mckeon smiles after jumping into the Pacific Ocean on New Year's Day for the First Day Polar Plunge at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
Vista resident Natasha McKeon smiles after jumping into the Pacific Ocean on New Year’s Day for the First Day Polar Plunge at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
California State Parks employee Anita Balcar takes a chilly dip in the protected marine area where she works on New Year’s Day. Photo by Tanya Perez
California State Parks employee Anita Balcar takes a chilly dip in the protected marine area where she works on New Year’s Day. Photo by Tanya Perez
Vista's Natasha Mckeon and daughter celebrate with California State Parks employee Anita Balcar after jumping into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday as part of the First Day Polar Plunge at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
Vista’s Natasha McKeon and daughter celebrate with California State Parks employee Anita Balcar after jumping into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday as part of the First Day Polar Plunge at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
Encinitas resident Susie Tadder, far right, Emerson Tadder, center, and Troy Rauchut of South Carolina, smile for a photo in front of a Christmas tree on Thursday after participating in the First Day Polar Plunge at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
Encinitas residents Susie Tadder, far right, and Emerson Tadder, center, with Troy Rauchut of South Carolina, smile in front of a Christmas tree on Thursday during the First Day Polar Plunge at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
A group poses for a photo in front of decorated Christmas tree after participating in the First Day Polar Plunge hosted on New Year's Day by the California State Parks at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
Participants pose for a photo in front of a decorated Christmas tree after taking part in the First Day Polar Plunge hosted by California State Parks on New Year’s Day at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
Swimmers run toward the Pacific for a chilly dip on New Year’s Day morning during the inaugural First Day Polar Plunge at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
Swimmers run toward the Pacific for a chilly dip on New Year’s Day morning during the inaugural First Day Polar Plunge at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
Swimmers run toward the Pacific for a chilly dip on New Year’s Day morning during the inaugural First Day Polar Plunge at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
Swimmers run toward the Pacific for a chilly dip on New Year’s Day morning during the inaugural First Day Polar Plunge at South Cardiff State Beach. Photo by Tanya Perez
PinLinkedInPrint

Related Articles:

Support The Coast News. Click here.
Jordan Ingram is the managing editor at The Coast News. For tips or story ideas, contact him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JordanPIngram1

Leave a Comment