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SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024

Mild weather brings big turnout to Portsmouth polar dive

Temperatures were well into the 50s for Sunday’s event

Posted 1/1/23

PORTSMOUTH — A couple hundred swimmers came out for the annual Island Park Polar Dive on New Year’s Day — a turnout that was no doubt influenced by the mildest …

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Mild weather brings big turnout to Portsmouth polar dive

Temperatures were well into the 50s for Sunday’s event

Emma Daily (center) runs in the chilly waters of Island Park Beach during the annual Island Park Polar Dive on Sunday, Jan. 1. The turnout to this year’s event was strong, thanks to the mildest temperatures in years.

Emma Daily (center) runs in the chilly waters of Island Park Beach during the annual Island Park Polar Dive on Sunday, Jan. 1. The turnout to this year’s event was strong, thanks to the mildest temperatures in years.

JIM MCGAW

Sean Scally holds his 3-year-old daughter, Charley, as they make their way out of the water. “This is her second plunge,” Scally said of his daughter. “She went in last year.”

Sean Scally holds his 3-year-old daughter, Charley, as they make their way out of the water. “This is her second plunge,” Scally said of his daughter. “She went in last year.”

JIM MCGAW

Michelle Arsenault provided the bubbles for the pre-dive festivities.

Michelle Arsenault provided the bubbles for the pre-dive festivities.

JIM MCGAW

Visitors wave to the drone that was taking video of the event.

Visitors wave to the drone that was taking video of the event.

JIM MCGAW

Swimmers run into the water at Island Park Beach on Sunday.

Swimmers run into the water at Island Park Beach on Sunday.

JIM MCGAW

Friends and family members take pictures of the swimmers making their way out of the water.

Friends and family members take pictures of the swimmers making their way out of the water.

JIM MCGAW

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

JIM MCGAW

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

JIM MCGAW

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

JIM MCGAW

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

JIM MCGAW

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

JIM MCGAW

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

Runners tear out of the water — as fast as they ran in.

JIM MCGAW

Swimmers run into the water at Island Park Beach on Sunday.

Swimmers run into the water at Island Park Beach on Sunday.

JIM MCGAW

Michelle Arsenault provided the bubbles for the pre-dive festivities.

Michelle Arsenault provided the bubbles for the pre-dive festivities.

JIM MCGAW

John Vitkevich, one of the dive’s main organizers, alerts swimmers as the countdown to the dive begins.

John Vitkevich, one of the dive’s main organizers, alerts swimmers as the countdown to the dive begins.

JIM MCGAW

Chris Freitas throws a log into the center of the fire.

Chris Freitas throws a log into the center of the fire.

JIM MCGAW

JIM MCGAW

JIM MCGAW

Chris Freitas throws a log into the center of the fire.

Chris Freitas throws a log into the center of the fire.

JIM MCGAW

No pallets or any pieces of wood with nails were allowed at this year’s bonfire.

No pallets or any pieces of wood with nails were allowed at this year’s bonfire.

JIM MCGAW

No pallets or any pieces of wood with nails were allowed at this year’s bonfire.

No pallets or any pieces of wood with nails were allowed at this year’s bonfire.

JIM MCGAW

No pallets or any pieces of wood with nails were allowed at this year’s bonfire.

No pallets or any pieces of wood with nails were allowed at this year’s bonfire.

JIM MCGAW

Posted Sunday, January 1, 2023 4:33 pm

PORTSMOUTH — A couple hundred swimmers came out for the annual Island Park Polar Dive on New Year’s Day — a turnout that was no doubt influenced by the mildest temperatures participants have enjoyed in years.

The bonfire — no pallets or any wood with nails were allowed this year — was lighted a couple of hours before the dive to keep swimmers warm, but with temperatures well into the 50s on Sunday it was hardly needed this year.

After the dive, many people headed over to Tremblay's Bar and Grill for a post-event party and raffles. The event was a fund-raiser for the Island Park Preservation Society.

Scroll through the gallery above for more photos of all the fun.