The Rye Polar Plunge: Cold Water, Community, and a New Year Tradition

Send us Fan MailEpisode Title: What started as a New Year’s Day dare has become one of Westchester’s most enduring community traditions.In this episode of I Live Here Westchester, host Jim Jockle sits down with Ken Harris, longtime leader of the Rye Triathlon Club, to talk about the Rye Polar Plunge — now in its 26th year and the longest-running, largest polar plunge in Westchester County.Ken shares how hundreds of residents gather every New Year’s Day at Oakland Beach in Rye to run into near-40-degree water, run back out just as fast, and raise money for local charities along the way. We talk about why people keep coming back year after year, how the event has become a multi-generational tradition, and why community — not cold — is what really draws people in.The conversation also explores the broader triathlon community in Rye, the accessibility of the sport for beginners, the rise of cold-water plunging, and why stepping slightly outside your comfort zone can be a powerful way to start the year.Whether you’re planning to take the plunge, cheer from the sidelines, or just want to understand what keeps this tradition alive, this episode captures a uniquely Westchester way of welcoming the New Year.Rye Polar Plunge - January 1, 2026 @ 11am, Oakland Beach, Rye NYRye Tri Club www.ryetriclub.comSupport the showI Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?Email: [email protected]: www.iliveheremedia.comFollow us on Instagram: @iliveheremediaSubscribe, rate, and share to support local storytelling.