Annual 'Polar Bear Dip' at Flora-Bama

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WALA) - Thousands hit the beach at the Flora-Bama Tuesday to ring in the New Year with a splash.  It was the annual Polar Bear Dip, and folks come from all over to take part in the fun.

Some might think they’re all crazy, but everyone here seemed to have a good reason for taking the plunge.

“I think they’re crazy,” said one young girl there with her family.  “Yah, I think they’re crazy,” echoed her twin brother. 

Some shared their reasons for jumping in.

Studio10: New Year's Polar Bear Dip in Gulf Shores

“Black eyed peas…you’ve got to get in the water to get black eyed peas,” said a reveler headed toward the water.

“My daddy was holding me in the water, and we went under the water,” she said with a smile. 

The dip itself is the finale’ to the morning, but the real fun is the anticipation leading up to the swim.  From penguins to polar bears to gorillas, you could find just about every costume you could imagine on the beach today.  With all the work done for the holidays, even Santa Clause brought his reindeer down for a visit to the beach.

“They need a vacation too,” he said with a smile.  “Ho, ho, ho, ho.  We’re gonna go swimming.  They can swim.”

For some of the folks there, it was their first time doing it. For others it’s a tradition. Whatever the case may be, it was all about having fun. 

Although it seemed like everyone there was just having fun, there was some work going on.  A film crew was shooting a documentary movie called Limo Ride.  It’s a film based on the real life kidnapping of several local friends.

“The film is about a group of guys who all have one wild night,” said film Director Gideon C. Kennedy.  “Like The Hangover, the documentary is the shortest answer, but in this scene it’s like the first thing they do and it’s the happiest moment in the movie.”

The weather was ideal for all of the dippers with air temps staying around 70 degrees.  The Gulf water temperature, though was in the mid to low 60s, so definitely a bit chilly for all of the dippers.