By Beth David, Editor
Hundreds of people plunged into the icy waters of Fort Phoenix on 1/1/26 to start the New Year with a big BRRRRR! The weather seemed like it was going to hold out for the 10 a.m. plunge, but just minutes before the big moment, the skies let loose some snow, the wind howled, and it felt like a blizzard. The temperature was 28 degrees, with a 17 MPH wind making it feel like 8 degrees out. Water temperature was 34.7
The squall only lasted about 45 minutes, just long enough to make everyone scramble for their cars after the plunge.
Select Board member Andrew Romano was singled out by emcee Charlie Murphy, the SB chair, for raising more than $2,600 for the plunge. All donations benefit Fairhaven Dollars for Scholars.
Ramon from Brockton took the plunge, and said it was “a little cold.”
It was his first time plunging, and he found out about it from a friend who is a member of the local Masons.
“It was good. The best ever,” he said.
Daniel also said it was a “little cold.” He traveled from Winchester for his first plunge at the suggestion of his girlfriend.
Will he do it again?
“We’ll see,” he said.
Jeannine Wunschel had no time to chat after posing for a quick picture, opting to head for the car, while her husband Chad said it was their first time, and “oh yeah,” it was cold.
The plunge is free, and organizers sell t-shirts to raise money for the cause, which also honors domestic violence victims.
You can find a video and lots of pictures on the Fort Phoenix Polar Plunge, Jan. 1, 2026 Facebook page, including a video of Mr. Romano taking the plunge. You can still donate through his fund-raising page at givebutter.com/RomanoPolarPlunge
West Island also had a less formal plunge at noon, with about 15 hardy souls braving the wind, which had picked up and gusted to more than 40 MPH. The crowd then retreated to a neighbors house for the annual get-together.
From the Fort
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- Plungers are all smiles despite the snow on a windy, snowy New Year’s Day 2026 for the annual Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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- Fairhaven Select Board member, Andrew Romano (center/back), raises up his shoe that came off when he ran into the ocean on a windy, snowy New Year’s Day 2026 for the annual Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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- Plungers run and out of the water on a windy, snowy New Year’s Day 2026 during the annual Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Jeannine and Chad Wunschel pose for a quick pic after diving into the ocean on a windy, snowy New Year’s Day 2026 for the annual Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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- Ramon raises his fists in victory after diving into the ocean on a windy, snowy New Year’s Day 2026 for the annual Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
From West Island
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- Plungers get in and out of the water quickly on a cold and windy New Year’s Day 2026 on West Island’s Causeway Road beach for the annual friends and neighbors Polar Plunge. Photo by Beth David.
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- Even the younguns braved the wild sea on a cold and windy New Year’s Day 2026 on West Island’s Causeway Road beachfor the annual friends and neighbors Polar Plunge. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the 1/8/26 issue: 01-08-26 PolarPlunge
Click here to download the shed judgment and memo of decision: 12-29-25 ShedMemo_Judgment
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