If you are looking for a fresh start to the New Year, a dip in freezing cold water might be exactly what you need.
The 27th annual Dorchester Lions Polar Dip is planned for New Years Day on Palmers Pond.
Spokesperson Dan Matthews says just show up at 12:30 to register, pay the registration fee, and the jump happens at 1 o’clock.
“We cut the hole in the ice. The water is about four feet deep. We do not have an age limit on the Polar Dip, but we do have a height restriction. Dippers must be at least 122 centimetres or four feet tall,” Matthews says.
The fire department is on hand, if needed. They also cut the hole in the ice.
Matthews says they see people of all ages brave the cold to help ring in the New Year, “Lion Andy who is in his 25th year of dipping is in his 50’s and my wife Leslie is doing her fourth Dip this year.”
Last year, during a snowstorm, Matthews says they had 28 dippers, but in better weather, they have had as many as 45.
“The water does have a muddy bottom, so if you are going to jump, you may want to bring along a pair of old sneakers or something. You can use flip flops, but most of the time, they get lost beneath the water and they don’t find them until the spring,” Matthews says.
