Hundreds take the plunge in Long Beach

Valerie Sherack stood in a striped bikini and ski cap as she rubbed her goose bump-covered body Sunday afternoon on Long Beach.

The 33-year-old Long Beach woman was one of hundreds who braved the frigid Atlantic Ocean as part of the Polar Bear Club’s 12th Annual Sunday Splash.

“They just blow an air horn and everyone runs in,” Sherack said with chattering teeth.

At a not-so-balmy 45 degrees, it was hardly perfect swimming weather. But for the participants of the plunge, the water hovering around the low 30s was just fine.

“This is on my bucket list,” said a soaked Linda Davis, 53, as she emerged from the water and wrapped herself in a fluffy pink robe. "My friends would kill me if they found out I did this. But I did it!"

Crowds of curious bystanders donning winter coats leaned against the boardwalk rail to watch the young and old frolic through the waves wearing only swimsuits and flip-flops.

Lifeguards wearing wetsuits and armed with red life preservers kept close watch on the swimmers.

"It's fun," said Ronni Gilligan, 70, of Long Beach. "I come here just because, but only when it's sunny.”