New Year's Day 2015
Charles Holway of Yarmouth, center, says he likes to take the New Year’s Day plunge every year.
SOUTH YARMOUTH – Yarmouth Senior Center officials said the turnout at the New Year’s Day 5th Annual Polar Plunge at Smuggler’s Beach was the largest they could remember.
The plunge, which began at noon January 1, benefits the Yarmouth Senior Center and Council on Aging’s programs and outreach.
As an estimated 200 made the plunge into the waters of Nantucket Sound, estimated to be in the 40s, another approximately 200 watched from the beach, where the temperature was around 35, and cheered them on.
Among those taking the dip was Charles T. Holway, 75, of Yarmouth, who said he has taken the winter plunge several times.
He said after the plunge he would try to warm up. “I’ll probably go back to the car and put on one of my jumpsuits which is good for about 30 below,” he said.
Sherwood Landers, center, who has multiple sclerosis, says taking the plunge on New Year’s Day is part of his motto to never give up.
Sherwood “Woody” Landers of Dennis, who has multiple sclerosis and was wearing a T-shirt that stated “Never give up,” was helped into the water by US marines and said he tries to do a New Year’s Day polar plunge every year.
Christina Carey, president of the Friends of the Yarmouth Council on Aging Board, said there were about 200 plungers and about 200 spectators. “We raised some good money for our senior center to do some good work,” she said.
