Pelican Plunge coming January 1 to Hunting Island
Pelican Plunge coming January 1
to Hunting Island
Friends of Hunting Island State Park (FOHI) and the Hunting Island State Park are jointly presenting the Lowcountry version of the ever-popular Polar Bear Plunges with the 2nd Annual Pelican Plunge at Hunting Island State Park Lighthouse North Beach on January 1.
The scene at the beginning of this year for the inaugural plunge was wet and wild: “Ready? Set. Goooooo.” shouted Hunting Island State Park Manager Jeff Atkins. And with that, upwards to 175 Pelican Plungers raced for the surf on the first day of 2009. In the days leading up to the event, temperatures had been almost balmy, but on Plunge Day the wind was whipping, the waves were pounding, and the water was an exciting 53 degrees. Estimates ran as high as 500 people total that came to the park either to plunge or cheer the intrepid souls on.
Not only did the inaugural event draw so many plungers and spectators to the park for the “celebration”, but just as important the event raised over $3,000 for a very deserving charitable organization. Event organizers hope to match or even exceed such an impressive total from the first event.
This second Pelican Plunge will see bathers of all ages jumping into the surf to greet the New Year. Donations will be raised on behalf of the “Discover Carolina” school program, which will be administered by the Friends and the Park. This program provides funding for educational learning opportunities at South Carolina state parks. Individuals and teams are encouraged to sign up sponsors to pay them to plunge. The first 50 registration forms submitted, pledging $50 total or more, receive a free commemorative long sleeve t-shirt, sporting the Peli logo. Last year’s t-shirts sold out in a matter of minutes, so these folks will be guaranteed their shirt. In addition to free shirts, this year’s top fundraiser will receive a fantastic South Carolina State Park-themed prize package
Hunting Island State Park is one of South Carolina’s most popular parks with upwards of 1.2 million visitors a year. “This is all about fun,” said Park Manager Jeff Atkins, “and we hope to introduce even more people to our beautiful park and all it has to offer while participating in such a worthy cause. Not only was last year’s event great, it was a blast for everyone who came out. We are really looking forward to doing this a second time and for many years to come.”
“The Friends are involved in so many activities and improvements at the park, so that when Jeff and his staff came to us with this idea in 2008, we signed up immediately,” said Friends president, Bonnie Wright. “Hunting Island is a treasure right in our backyard and here is another exciting reason to enjoy it all year round.”
Bathers and their cheering sections will gather for registration at the picnic area near the lighthouse beginning at 12:00 noon, January 1. There will be warm-up activities to including kazoo playing, Simon Says, and some stretching. Then a steel drum band will begin playing their sun and surf rhythms to get all the Plungers in the mood.
Schools, government offices, fire and police, Rotary Clubs and other organizations are invited to get friends and family to donate so as to entice as many as possible to take the plunge. When the clock strikes 1 pm it will be time for the first swim of 2010, however brief that may be.
Early registration is preferred but not required. For questions or to speak to the event chairperson, phone Tom Valentino at 379-4895.
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