Polar Bear Swim set for New Year’s Day

POTTSTOWN » Pottstown is gearing up once again to ring in the New Year with a chilly challenge.

For the 10th year, area residents are invited to Riverfront Park New Year’s Day to participate in the Polar Bear Swim hosted by the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department. Participants will gather on Jan. 1 along the banks of the Schuylkill River to take a daring plunge into the cold water in celebration of the new year.

Following the plunge, participants will be welcomed back to dry land with an open air bonfire as well as pork hot dogs with sauerkraut, drinks and other items

for a fee.

Registration will be open on Jan. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The plunge will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The event is free, but all participants must be registered and sign a waiver. When participants sign the waiver agreement it must be witnessed by event staff in order to participate. Participants must be 16 years of age on or before January 1, 2018, to participate. Children under the age of 16 are strictly forbidden. Youths ages 16-17 may only participate with the signature of a legal guardian witnessed by event staff. Identification will be required.

The Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department said Thursday that there is no set temperature at which conditions would be considered too cold to hold the event. Participation is at the discretion of the individual and the department is advising that participants exercise caution.

A dive team will be in the water for the event regardless of temperature.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Hearty area residents take a dip into the Schuylkill River on New Year’s Day in 2015 as part of the annual Polar Plunge held at Riverfront Park in Pottstown.