OCEAN CITY – Most people expect an ocean dip in January to be cold, but let’s not get ridiculous.
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian announced Dec. 28 that the traditional First Day First Dip would be canceled due to the expected frigid temperature.
Each year, the Jan. 1 event draws thousands to the beach at Ninth Street near the Music Pier. It has proceeded on days with snow covering the beach.
The 2017 event was almost balmy, with weather in the 50s. This year, it is set to come after an extended period of below-freezing temperatures.
At the final City Council meeting of the year, Gillian said it was too dangerous to go ahead. He said the First Night committee made the decision.
“In past years, we really haven’t had the problem, but with this cold, they just think it’s the best,” he said.
From the city’s end, he added, officials agree it’s for the best, indicating that firefighters and police would have to help if someone got in trouble in the icy water.
Each year, wetsuit-attired rescue officials are on hand through the plunge as the big crowd – some in bathing suits, others in costume – ran into the water and submersed themselves.
The forecast calls for weather in the 20s Jan. 1, coming off a night with an expected low around 9.
This week, the water temperature is in the high 30s to low 40s, according to surfing sites that track water temperatures. In the winter, the water typically stays warmer than the air, but bodies lose heat a lot faster when submerged and expected nights in the single digits would likely drop those numbers by Jan. 1.
A planned run on the boardwalk is expected to continue, as well as the numerous First Night events to ring in 2018, including fireworks at midnight.
Ocean City’s First Night celebration, an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve party, has grown into a major event since its founding. This year, 75 acts in 20 locations throughout the downtown are planned from 4 p.m. until midnight Dec. 31.
Buttons that allow entrance to all events are $20. For more details see firstnightocnj.com.
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