Yes, the Polar Bear Splash is still on

Snowstorm can’t stop the biggest event of the year

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This week’s snowstorm hasn’t dampened the spirits of the Long Beach Polar Bears, who plan to go ahead with their annual Super Bowl Splash this Sunday, Feb. 1.

“It is coming after a blizzard, which could make it a little more challenging for people,” Polar Bear co-founder Pete Meyers said of this year’s event. “People probably woke up Tuesday and said, ‘Oh boy, I don’t think I’m doing it,’ but that’ll change.”

Meyers has faith that the city will have the beaches cleared of snow and ready for the jump on Sunday. The spirit of the event is “infectious,” and no cold weather can stop it, he says.

“You really get pumped up; it’s a great energy on the beach,” Meyers said. “People are going in in their underwear sometimes, because they just get so pumped up.”

City Manager Jack Schnirman echoed those sentiments, and said that many people, including the news media, have been asking whether the event, which attracts thousands of people to the city, is still on.

“Is the Polar Bear Splash still on? Absolutely,” he said. “The beaches may be snowy, but it's been that way before. They call it the Polar Bear Splash for a reason.”

Long Beach Chamber of Commerce President Mark Tannenbaum said the storm could have one silver lining, since more people may be inclined to turn out for the event — and visit local businesses.

“The restaurants possibly can benefit because of the fact that people may have cabin fever and more may want to go out, and it's Super Bowl Sunday,” Tannenbaum said. “And the Polar Bears is always a draw.”

Mark McCarthy, owner of Lola’s Kitchen and Wine Bar, said that the restaurant is hosting its sixth annual Polar Bear charity brunch on Sunday, with all of the proceeds benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “It’s a great thing, it’s nice to give back,” McCarthy said.

The beach will be open at noon, and the run into the water is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday will mark the Long Beach Polar Bears’ 16th annual Super Bowl Splash, an event that has raised money for the Make-a-Wish foundation since 2000. But the tradition goes back a few years further.

Co-founders Meyer and his friend, Kevin McCarthy, went for a swim in the ocean on Super Bowl Sunday in 1998. They originally planned to take a dip on New Year’s Day that year but their plans got delayed. Word quickly spread of their freezing swim, and friends Mike and P.J. Bradley joined them the following year.

They decided to turn it into a fundraising event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, in honor of Bradley’s son, Paulie, who had died of cancer in 1997, at age 4. Bradley’s wife, Patti, passed away in 2009, and the event now honors her as well.

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