New Year’s Resolution – a “Polar Bear Dip” at Flora-Bama?

New Year’s Resolution – a “Polar Bear Dip” at Flora-Bama?

If you’ve never dipped into the Gulf to start off the New Year, perhaps this year might be THE YEAR?

Either as a participant or an observer, you really have to catch the zany activity at high noon on New Year’s Day at Flora-Bama on Perdido Key.

In past years there have been upwards of 100 hearty souls taking the plunge, some who have no doubt had a “few” for courage.

The carnival-like atmosphere is sure to have you grinning.

Some participants find fortitude in a group setting, dressing in costumes and joining hands as they make their way to the water’s edge.

And you can’t miss the former high school running backs who just lower their heads and charge full steam ahead, usually making it about 10 feet before wiping out in the surf in one huge crescendo.

Of course some participants suffer the “death by a thousand freezing drops” before just giving up and dunking themselves.

And you can pretty much catch the universal “shock” on everyone’s face. There are some pretty wide-eyed post-plungers, and rightfully so; the Gulf temp could be as low as 50 degrees. Throw in a cloudy day and some wind chill, and well … let’s hope for at least a sunny day.

It’s a great afternoon of fun, live music, hot and cold beverages. And you get a free meal and beer if you survive the experience, but your hair has to be wet to prove you are one of the brave.