I have been one of the people who has attended each of NRCM’s seven polar plunges on East End Beach in Portland. I was there when about a dozen people raced into the icy cold Atlantic to kick off NRCM’s 50th anniversary year in 2009, and I was there for this past event when more Read More
NRCM Polar Bear Dip & Dash
Since 2009, the Natural Resources Council of Maine has hosted a polar bear dip on New Year's Eve day. It began by gathering on East End Beach in Portland and plunging into the icy, cold Atlantic Ocean to raise funds and awareness of NRCM's work to curb climate-changing pollution and support a clean energy future for Maine.
Since then, we added a 5K "warm up" run in 2011 in advance of the dip. From 2020-2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we switched to an all-virtual format...and still met our fundraising goals! In 2022, we once again gathered, this time at a new location at Southern Maine Community College's South Portland campus on December 31st for an in-person event. We also continue to offer a virtual option.
Crossing the Piscataqua
I’d love to believe that many years from now, my grandchildren will be able to catch brook trout in the same lovely little Maine pools where my father taught me to fish. Those native fish reply so reliably to our visits each spring that it has taken me a long time to realize that I shouldn’t Read More
“Taking the Plunge” Before I “Take the Plunge”
I am getting married. I have mentioned this in past blog posts, but we are now less than six months away from the big event, and I think the stress of wedding planning has finally gotten to me. Each year I swear it will be the last time I plunge into the icy Atlantic Ocean Read More
Weathering the Storm and a Dip in the Icy Atlantic
Having survived (can I say “enjoyed?”) NRCM’s New Year’s Eve day Polar Bear Dip & Dash and welcoming in the New Year with a sunrise walk with the dog through the Spurwink Marsh, I feel like I am entering 2012 with a good reserve of energy and optimism. Looks like we will all need lots of both. Before Read More
Recalling the Cold Sledgehammer: NRCM’s Polar Dip and Dash
By Jeff Wells I have felt the cold sledgehammer of ice water closing in on my head before—that’s what it felt like to me when I plunged under the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean at Portland’s East End Beach during the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s (NRCM’s) Polar Plunge in 2009. That was a Read More
Man Trapped in Polar Bear Costume
To raise awareness about climate change and to help raise funds to address it, one Natural Resources Council of Maine staffer has vowed to stay in a polar bear costume until NRCM reaches its pledge goals: Help us get him out of that costume! Please support our work for clean energy and efficiency by participating in Read More
NRCM 2010 Polar Plunge: the Movie
We did it again! NRCM members, staff, and supporters gathered on East End Beach in Portland on Friday, December 31, 2010 for our third annual Polar Plunge. 43 brave polar bears raced into the icy cold Atlantic Ocean to raise money for NRCM’s clean energy work—this year raising more than $9,000. The weather was perfect Read More
Rules for Polar Plunges? Who Knew There Were Rules?
My coworker Leisa and I were interested in learning more about ways to stay safe and warm during our polar plunge, happening on Thursday in Portland. The first rule is: DON’T sign up to do the plunge. We wish we had known that rule sooner. We did find some helpful “Polar Plunge Tips” on NaBloPoMo.com. They Read More
