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Record numbers show for Polar Plunge
Waiting on Cape San Blas for the countdown to plunge, each sporting their matching “Family Shenanigans” gear, are, from left, Mitch Henley, Palmer Henley, Regan Henley, Roland Burnett, Kenley Burnett, and Brenda Burnett. [ Mary Akin | The Star ]
Decked out in their matching new years hats, from left, are Jeff Buetemeister, Stephen Cutler, Liz Cutler, Jill Cutler, John Cutler, and Meredith Hoffman. Jeff Buetemeister usually flies back to California on New Year’s Day but decided to stay for a bit longer and take part in the Cutler family’s second plunge. [ Mary Akin | The Star ]
Waiting for their chance to take part in their first Polar Plunge on the cape are, from left, Ryan and Rachael Ross, and Brittany and Diego Trujillo and their son Benny Trujillo, riding atop Diego’s shoulders. [ Mary Akin | The Star ]
Drying off after their plunge in the 60 degree water are, from left, Thia Blass, Fred Blass, Bill Blass and Pamela Blass. [ Mary Akin | The Star ]
After traveling from Georgia for the holiday on the Cape, taking part in the plunge are, from left, Rodger Davis, Tess Davis, Alicia Stignani, Steve Stignani, Bob Sims, Claire Sims, David Babcock and Becky Babcock. [ Mary Akin | The Star ]
The Rauton family, from left, Stephen, Carrie, Perry, and Audra prepare for the countdown right before their plunge on the Cape. [ Mary Akin | The Star ]
Exiting the chilly Cape San Blas waters are, from left, Sunny Crane, Wendi Graves, and Jason Lanham, [ Mary Akin | The Star ]
Traveling down from Georgia to visit the area and take part in this year’s plunge on the Cape, are, from left, Karen Byrne, Julia Byrne, and Dan Byrne. [ Mary Akin | The Star ]
The crew at Scallop Cove provided coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts to the public before and after the plunge.
The large crowd waits for the countdown signaled by Scallop Cove owner Tyler Matney [ Mary Akin | The Star ]
The ninth annual Cape San Blas Polar Plunge, hosted by Scallop Cove, drew in a record number of participants and spectators on New Year’s Day.
The plunge has become a staple in the Cape San Blas community as a way for people to welcome in the new year and has grown sharply from five participants counted in 2017 at the first polar plunge, to 240 participants this year, with around 150 spectators. This year’s event also played host to a fundraiser for South Gulf County Fire Rescue, which raised $657 in donations.
Previous plunge numbers
The chart below shows stats from the annual Cape San Blas Polar Plunge.
| 2024 | 215 | 58° | 59° |
| 2023 | 200 | 64° | 69° |
| 2022 | 115 | 70° | 68° |
| 2021 | 15 | 47° | 63° |
| 2020 | 80 | 43° | 62° |
| 2019 | 45 | 70° | 65° |
| 2018 | 15 | 39° | 65° |
| 2017 | 5 | 69° | 66° |
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.