Back Eddy polar plunge draws crowds

By Bruce Burdett, photos by Richard W Dionne Jr
Posted 1/3/19

WESTPORT — Swimmers flocked to the Back Eddy dock in Westport and Fogland Beach in Tiverton to start the new year with a bracing plunge into 43 degree water (per the Back Eddy dock thermometer — …

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Back Eddy polar plunge draws crowds

Posted

Swimmers flocked to the Back Eddy dock in Westport and Fogland Beach in Tiverton to start the new year with a bracing plunge into 43 degree water (per the Back Eddy dock thermometer — 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day).

At both places it was a far cry from last New Year’s Day when bitter cold forced cancellation of both swims, although a few brave souls went in anyway.

This year the air temperature was a balmy 53 degrees at the start but fell on a stiff northwest wind that buffeted late arrivals to the Back Eddy.

Back Eddy packed to the limit

Back Eddy owner Sal Liotta said this year’s event was a sellout — all 300 tickets sold and then some (swimmers dine for free, spectators pay $30). A grand total of 183 took the plunge; nearly 200 more joined them for just the brunch.

“We went over our limit (by about 80) … “We had to turn away at least another 100” — some of those walked down the road a couple hundred yards to the yacht club and went in anyway.

This continues a trend of timidity — spectators outnumbering swimmers — that has developed over the years. “The dynamics have changed,” Mr. Liotta said.

The day went pretty much without incident. The rebuilt plumbing (it froze last year) was up to the task, the EMT and dock-side organizers said things went smoothly.

The only incidents — a couple of lost bathing suits late in the event when the waves and weather picked up.

The water was cold so all of the swimmers earned their brunch, Mr. Liotta said, but those who arrived late (the last swimmers went in nearly at 2 p.m.) got more of the true ‘polar’ experience.

“The wind really came up out of the north and when it did the temperature dropped a good 15 degrees … and the float was rocking in the waves. The late-comers had quite the challenge.”

One blessing — instead of the usual 11 a.m. rush, “it was pretty spread out all through the three hours” which made life easier for organizers.

Swimmers came from far and wide.

Rudi Hickley, visiting from South Africa, let friends Chantel Souza and “Gazelle” talk him into giving it a try. “Never done this before,” he said, adding later that it wasn’t quite as awful as he had feared.

Diners were in for an extra treat this year. Because the restaurant held its holiday party before the plunge instead of after this time, there was no incentive to keep some of the food in reserve.

“Best food ever,” Mr. Liotta said. “We went through everything.”

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