The annual WaveMasters Polar Plunge will once again take place New Year's morning at 9 am in front of

Jax Beach's SeaWalk Pavilion, next to the Lifeguard Station. This tradition started sometime in the late 80's

when just a handful of club members decided to kick in the new year by jumping in the "frigid" Atlantic Ocean

wearing only surf trunks. Over 20 years later, crowds nearing 500, from all over the world, gather in Jax Beach

to "take the plunge". It's free to everyone, and all are encouraged to join in. Arrive early for a commemorative long-sleeve Tshirt

with original art by Mike Whitaker of Great Atlantic Outfitters, available for $20. Free shirts will be given

as prizes for youngest, oldest, and traveled the farthest. Out-of-town attendees of that day's Bowl Game always

add to the number of local plungers, resulting in an increasingly large crowd every year.