Polar Bears poised for icy plunge in Sea Bright BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer Polar Bear Plungers get ready to take a dip Jan. 1, 2007, in Sea Bright. SEA BRIGHT - Have you ever felt the urge to take a dip in the ocean on a crisp January afternoonwhile raising somemoney for charity? Well, the Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plungers have, and they have been doing so every Jan. 1 since 2002 to ring in the New Year. Those who would like to participate are invited to join the nearly 100 other chill-defying souls who have already signed up for the fifth annual event online at www.sonsofireland. org. Registration will continue until Jan. 1 when would-be participants can sign up at 11 a.m. on the beach. The actual plunge will take place on the beach behind Donovan's Reef, located at 1171 Ocean Ave on Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. "One of the great things to see is everyone down at the beach starting off their year by doing something they wouldn't otherwise do," said Dennis Nitka, one of the founding members of theRumson-based sponsor charity for the event, Sons of Ireland. Nitka continued, "One of the things I love about [the plunge] iswhen people come out of the water who haven't done it before they look so thrilled." According to foundingmember SeanClifford, the Sons of Ireland is a nonprofit group founded in 2002 by Monmouth County men with the intent of supporting worthy causes and charities locally and performing community service. "It's a way for us to affect our local community positively," saidNitka of starting the nonprofit group. Proceeds from the event will be donated to two charities, Holiday Express and, as always, Clean OceanAction (COA). Holiday Express is aMonmouth Countybased organization, which delivers music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year. COAis a SandyHook-based organization dedicated to keeping the coastal waters of New York and New Jersey free of pollution. The organization Web site is www.cleanoceanaction.org. "One of the great things about [the event] is to see the money that we raised doing good," said Nitka. He said it is great to see COA use the money to help the shore and that the organization has been a great partner to Sons of Ireland in helping with the event over the years. He added, "It just fits well. The [plunge] is in the ocean and [COA] makes sure it is clean." The event is open to anyone 18 years or olderwho signs awaiver, Clifford said previously. Those under age 18 can participate with a parent's or guardian's permission. Besides thewaiver, the only real requirement is that participants fully submerge themselves in the water if only for aminute, Clifford explained previously. "My 7-year-old son did it last year and he thought itwas the coolest thing in theworld," said Nitka of the event, which he estimates has raised about $125,000 in total over the years. According to Nitka, the event, which started in 2002 with about 25 plungers without any spectators on a public beach, has grown over the years. He said, after the first year, the event grew to about 150 plungers running fromthe shore to the surf and the location moved to the beach behind Donovan's Reef. This year the group is expecting the same amount of plungers as last year,which was around 400, and organizers expect to raise around $30,000 for charity, a large leap fromthe first year total of $6,000. "People give what they can," said Nitka. "We've had contributions a lowas $20 and as much as thousands of dollars. Part of the neat thing is that the spirit of the event is everyone having a great time." Participants can collect pledges or donate money themselves and prizes will be awarded for the top fundraisers as well as most original costume. Participants can also enjoy themusic of BryanKirk and the Jerks and food and drink will be served after the plunge. Nitka said in the past, participants have come dressed as Winnie the Pooh, Sponge- Bob SquarePants and Fletch. Last year's winners of the costume contestwere dressed asmembers of the hip-hop trio Run DMC. Before the swim, the sounds of bagpipes playing will lead the participants' march to the beach and also bring a touch of the Irish heritage of groupmembers to the event. "It's a great way to start the year," said Nitka, who not only speaks from experience but also said everyone who has participated in the past has expressed the same feeling.