Polar Bear Plunge OMG
Schedule
Thu, 01 Jan, 2026 at 11:30 am
UTC-06:00Location
Bradford Beach, Milwaukee WI | Milwaukee, WI
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Join OMG and friends at noon on New Year’s Day to kickoff 2026 and earn an extra Winter Point! A large group from OMG has participated in each of the past 12 years, with many going for the swim, and even more cheering us on.Parking:
Park on Wahl Street and walk down to the beach. Do NOT attempt to park in the lots near Bradford. They will be full and you'll miss the noon jump start time.
Clothing:
Wear easy on and off layers. A t-shirt for the swim might give you the delusion of warmth as you enter the water, but peeling it off after can be torture. We recommend against t-shirts.
A swimsuit is all you need. You'll want to get out of your wet clothes as soon as possible and into dry, loose-fitting clothing and a big warm jacket.
Easy off footwear protects your feet from rocks and can be removed quickly when your done. Keens work great. Flip flops tend to flop off as you exit the water. Tennis shoes are meh. Ever try untying wet, cold shoelaces? Not fun. Untied tennis shoes might work if they don't fall off in the water.
Plunging:
Walk slowly into the water. Running may cause you to fall and experience premature plunging (embarrassing). The bottom tends to be rocky.
When you're up to your private parts, the "baptism" plunge - a quick squat, is fastest and recommended. The "head-first-dive" method impresses the opposite gender, but prolongs your time under water. As you plunge your body may feel like it’s going into shock. Stand up. Primal scream (always impressive). Shake it off. Head to shore. The Milwaukee Fire Department Paramedics are in the water for your safety.
After:
After the Plunge: Get dried off and dressed before you leave the beach. Remove wet clothing and get into dry clothes. Bring warm dry socks and winter boots. Your feet are your first priority. Heating packs for your hands and feet are a nice touch. Sweatshirts and sweatpants are awesome. Large towels, wool blankets, or an open sleeping bag can make you feel like royalty. There are no changing areas, but you can quick change under a large blanket held by a fellow OMGr.
This is a 60+ year Milwaukee tradition and no one is really in charge of the event. But you can find more info at this website.
http://www.polarplungemilwaukee.com/
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Where is it happening?
Bradford Beach, Milwaukee WI, 2358 N Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53211, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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