7th Annual Polar Dip Supports Adam’s Angels

On a cold, windy, rainy New Year’s Eve afternoon, Adam McKaig texted me that he would be doing the Santa Barbara Polar Dip on New Year’s Day to benefit his nonprofit, Adam’s Angels. The event was founded by Hugh Margerum and Julie DeAngelis seven years ago with a single mission: “To bring people together by diving in the ocean every year on New Year’s Day.”The requirements: no wetsuits, get completely wet in whatever time that takes, swimming optional. The event is held on the beach area across from the Cabrillo Boulevard Rainbow Arch.

This year, over 100 people showed up, along with babies, doggies, costumes, hats, and floaties! There were 32 Adam’s Angels volunteers in for the dip, including Katy Perry’s parents, Keith and Mary Hudson, and Santa Barbara Trolley Company owner Teddi Drew with her children, aka The Drew Crew.

The sun gods were in fine favor for the event after a week of heavy rains, however, gale force winds and ocean swells posed an invigorating challenge. I texted my pro-surfer friend for the forecast, which was reported as: water temperature at 59 degrees F with swells at 5.9 feet at 11 seconds from 267 degrees, air temperatures at 58 degrees F with west northwest winds at 14-15 knot gusts (side shore). I mentioned it to DeAngelis who promptly laughed and said, “We don’t care, everyone who showed up is going in the ocean.” 

After calling the attendees together by megaphone, Margerum gave a briefing of the dip requirements, prizes, proof of the dip certificates for those who do it, donations to Adam’s Angels, and set up the group for photo ops.

As it got close to the 11:30 am start time, the swimmers stripped down to their swimsuits or less, and formed lines across the shoreline chanting “polar dip” over and over while doing calisthenics to stay pumped up. Next, Margerum gave the shout for the 10-second mark and everyone counted down out loud together, and festively shouted as they ran into the ocean, some hand-in-hand, jumping and splashing. The waves were relentless, and the scene of 100 swimmers on the beach stopped traffic along Cabrillo Boulevard. 

After the dip, there were lots of hugs and huge smiles on many cold-water-reddened bodies, most who bravely jumped back into their warmer clothes to sip beverages and savor the swim.

For McKaig, it was his first polar dip, and he shared with me afterwards via text, “What a great event! I’ve wanted to attend this event for the past two years, but real estate work got in the way. I committed to this year’s polar dip while bagging non-perishables with fellow volunteer, Hugh Margerum. When it was announced that Adam’s Angels would be the beneficiary, it heightened the level of excitement. I counted 32 Angels in the ocean dip, but could be much more. Hugh and Julie put on a successful community event that had us all shivering with fun, excitement, and cold welcoming the new year. I am hooked! As far as donations, we don’t have a tally yet. Should one still want to donate, they can find us at adamsangels.life.”

411: Instagram @polardipsb