We couldn’t let a year go by — not even this year! — without the return of the world-famous, Guinness-World-Record-setting Tybee Polar Plunge! So, it’s back! With a pandemic twist!
This year, the Tybee Post Theater’s big annual fundraiser is going virtual! You can take the Plunge anywhere you want! It’s still on New Year’s Day at high noon, but you pick the body of water. From Long Beach to Long Island, and yes, anywhere along the Tybee beach, we don’t care!
For the past 22 years, the annual New Year’s Day Tybee Polar Plunge has been held at the Tybee Pier and Pavilion, where several thousand brave souls would gather to stampede together into the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean en masse. This year, due to the ongoing pandemic and restrictions on large gatherings of people, the Tybee Post Theater decided the event would go on, but go on virtually.
Yes, the Theater wants the fun to continue! But it wants everyone to be safe, so in an abundance of caution, it will not organize the mass gathering on the Pier and will not corral wristband-wearing participants at the edge of the ocean. Instead, you are encouraged to participate wherever you are – from Lake Michigan to Lake Pontchartrain. And there are those five miles of beautiful sandy beach right here on Tybee! And then the Theater wants you to send in your videos and pics, and post them for all the world to see.
You still have to register, because this is a fundraiser for the Theater, but also because every registration comes with that oh-so-valuable souvenir long-sleeve Tybee Polar Plunge T-shirt! And this 2021 shirt is going to be a collectors’ item like none other! The adorable Polar Bear mascot is wearing his mask as he takes a dive into the cool waters of, well, anywhere! And you know everyone signs up to just get that cool commemorative T-shirt. You can wear the shirt and proudly proclaim you took the icy plunge — even if you didn’t!
Register early online, by phone, or in-person – but do it now – and get your shirts before the Plunge. The Tybee Post Theater has a new Facebook Group where it will post your pics and videos. There will be prizes for plungers in various categories: who plunged into the coldest water, who plunged at the farthest point north from Tybee, who plunged from the farthest point south, etc. You’ll have to send pics that prove your point of entry!
And, yes, the virtual plunge will still promote the legendary Gang of Goofs costume contest, because we all know some of you just love to dress up! So gather up your gang of goofy friends and family, dream up your wackiest costumes and parade wherever you are — be it the balmy Tybee Beach, the chilly shores of Lake Michigan, or the temperate Gulf of Mexico — and compete for great cash prizes! Again, the celebrity judges will pick the gangs with the best costumes – based on your photos – and award the winners. Your gang’s name will be emblazoned on the Gang of Goofs trophy!
So don’t hesitate! Make the leap! It’s fun! It’s exhilarating! It’s a great way for the whole family to start the new year!
When is it? Fri. Jan. 1, 2021, New Year’s Day, 12 noon
How much does it cost to register? $25 registration adults; $15 kids under 12
How can I register? You can register online at https://tybeeposttheater.org/tybee-polar-plunge/. Or you can call the Tybee Post Theater office Monday-Friday from 9 am to 3 pm and place your order over the phone, or register in person at the box office during those same hours. That number is 912-472-4790.
How do I get my T-shirt if I registered online? You will still need to pick up your T-shirt at the Tybee Post Theater, 10 Van Horne Avenue, Tybee Island, GA. Or the Theater will mail your T-shirt with an additional Shipping Charge. The sooner you register, the sooner you will get your shirt!
Where does all of the money go? The proceeds from the Tybee Polar Plunge go toward the programming and operations of the Tybee Post Theater. This historic movie house, built-in 1930 by the Army stationed at Fort Screven, has been restored and reopened as a performing arts and movie venue for Tybee Island’s residents and visitors.
Is my donation tax-deductible? Yes. The Tybee Post Theater is a 501 (c) (3) tax-deductible organization. $19 of the $25 registration fee is a tax-deductible contribution.
Where do I send my photos and videos? You can email them to the Theater at info@tybeeposttheater.org, or you can post them yourself on the Theater’s Virtual Tybee Polar Plunge Facebook GroupI have more questions. Who can I contact? You can either click on the Contact tab at the top of this page, send an email to info@tybeeposttheater.org or call 912-472-4790.
