Huge crowd takes a New Year’s Day Dip in the Bay in Barrington

Polar plunge raises more than $5,000 for two local nonprofits

Posted 1/2/25

More than 150 people greeted the start of 2025 with a New Year’s Day Dip in the Bay in Barrington.  

The third annual event, which is organized by the Barrington Business and …

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Huge crowd takes a New Year’s Day Dip in the Bay in Barrington

Polar plunge raises more than $5,000 for two local nonprofits

Posted

More than 150 people greeted the start of 2025 with a New Year’s Day Dip in the Bay in Barrington. 

The third annual event, which is organized by the Barrington Business and Community Association and was sponsored by Residential Properties, LLC, drew swimmers from across town and beyond. 

“Some people traveled over 90 minutes from Massachusetts to join in which was really cool to see,” said BBCA official Bryan Hoffman. “People were festive and excited and the Lions Club yet again having hot chocolate and treats for sale was a huge help. Great start to the year and we'll keep growing next year.”

Hoffman was expecting a pretty comfortable dip at the start of New Year’s Day. The Barrington resident went down to Barrington Beach at about 9 a.m. to prepare for the noon swim. He said the weather was pretty mild and there was hardly any wind at all. “…I thought ‘this is going to be so easy this year,’” he said. 

But the weather had changed dramatically by noon. The wind was whipping and the temperature felt much colder. 

Despite the chilly conditions, this year’s group was ready to swim. In fact, during a brief announcement to let swimmers know the start time was approach, a large group dashed down the sandy beach and jumped into Narragansett Bay. 

Hoffman said this year’s Dip in the Bay raised more than $5,000 for two area non-profits — Tap-In (Touch A Person In Need) and Barrington Lions Club. 

“I am going to cut two checks for $2,750 apiece to Tap-In and the Lions Club which is a really, really nice feeling to start 2025,” he said. 

— With reporting from Josh Bickford

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.