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

Episode 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 NY

Rye Tri Club www.ryetriclub.com

Transcript

James Jockle (00:01)
Ken, thanks so much for joining us. For anyone hearing about the Rye Polar Plunge for the first time, what actually happens on New Year's Day?

Ken (00:09)
A lot of people show up and run into the water and get really cold for a couple of seconds and run the hell back out. There's some people that stay in there for about five or 10 minutes. More power to them. Yeah, it's more a community. It's getting a lot of people in the community interested in doing something because there's a big lull between Christmas and New Year's and this generates a lot of interest over the years. It's going for 26 years at this stage.

And it was started by Ray Kelly many years ago. think one of his exploits with Aldo Beverages the night before on New Year's Eve. And he decided that he wanted to go down to do it. And he brought a bunch of people with him. And then all of a sudden it started up. So he played it forward. And here I am with the Right Try Club and Graham and Maria and all the rest putting it together. It's a lot of fun on the day. We have a DJ.

He's up on the deck at the Barley house. He's playing some great music. The camaraderie down there and the community and people, I think that's what is best for the day. It just feels like there's something going on and the community really benefits and the community really have supported it over the years. So last year we had just a little more over 200. This year we're thinking we'll probably get around 300. Fingers crossed. So let's see what happens.

James Jockle (01:35)
What percentage are individuals that come back year over year? How many are new people? And one and done.

Ken (01:39)
It's kind of like shark teeth.

⁓ They stay around for a couple of years, they get sense and then they go away, they have a few kids and then they come back with the kids. We're seeing an awful lot of that over the years that, you know, these kids that have grown up in the high school and come through the schools and around the area and then they've gone away or they're still part of us and then they come back and they go like, I remember this many, many years ago.

doing this with my father and then I lost it and now I'm so glad it is back. So there's a lot of that that's going on and then we're trying to expose it to more places. This is the longest running and the biggest one in Westchester. So we're very grateful for that and we just want to, the more people that we get, the more we're able to donate to local charities, which is the most important thing.

James Jockle (02:32)
And tell us about those charities, and why is it so important for the Rye Try Club to really anchor to fundraising?

Ken (02:38)
Well, again, I think it's, it's

given back. mean, you know, triathlons are, the people that are really in the triathlons, ⁓ are, you know, they're very kind and considerate and they know that they have, they're, you know, in a place where they can give back and they want to know how they can do that. So what we have done over the years is we've done a lot of fundraising through a membership, through sponsorship. And now.

We're kind of changing that a little bit into events because we find that we can fundraise more and we can gain more from the events and then provide that money to different charities in the area. Through the years, think we've given close to 200,000 out from the club. So, and what we're trying to do now is to increase that. We're giving it out to

kind of some of the national charities, but we've pulled it back in the last couple of years. I mean, we really want to concentrate on the local charities. Soul Riders, I mean, they've been around for years. They have just been so supportive of the community and people that really, really need it. And Meals on Wheels, mean, sorry, Meals on Main Street, which are fantastic. mean, anybody that's in the area will see their trucks going around and what they provide to people who are in need is just amazing.

John, Denise and all the rest of the crew that's in there just do a phenomenal job for the community and the community realising them. So it's our way of giving back and saying thank you for what you do and you know it's two great partnerships and we support them tremendously and just you know continue on doing what you're doing.

James Jockle (04:28)
So tell me, the average water temp at Oakland Beach in Rye ⁓ is probably in the 40s, just for context, a nice warm shower is 100 degrees. What was your first polar plunge like? And let's be honest with you.

Ken (04:41)
Well, first of all,

I'm gonna tell a little fib. The water's about 75 degrees right now, so come on in, come on, sign up, get involved. And it's about 40 degrees, and a couple of my crazy, crazy swimming friends are still out there doing 25 to 30 minute swims. Be honest, I have not done the plunge. In all the years, I have not done the plunge.

I have been threatened that people are going to pick me up and throw me into the water, which is probably one way of doing the plunge, but I haven't gotten in. I usually swim up to about December when it gets to about 48, 49, 50 degrees, and then I'm out. So I haven't been in. So I commend a lot of people, the courage that they do when getting in. And it's fantastic to see them rushing in and rushing out.

while I'm still warm on the shore.

James Jockle (05:35)
Well, you know, you could play it as the angle of, the event organizer. have to oversee safety, you know. But I'll be honest with you. I've been down there. I watched it. When you texted me the flyer for the event that's coming up, I think my first reaction was, nope, not for me. So yeah, it is fun to see, though. I really do.

Ken (05:36)
You

It takes a lot of courage to go in because it's completely, it's doing a number. It's a bank robbery in

your head for a couple of hours before you get in. What's it going to be like? What's it going to be like? And then all of a sudden, you know, we get everybody going and I'm enthusiastic about it. And then all of a sudden you're rushing towards the water. And then it's amazing because people, oh my God, it's so cold. is it? And anticipation of getting in.

You know, again, that bank robbery that's going on in their head, it's just like, my God, I'm not going to be able to survive this. And then when they get out and they go, my God, that was so great. was, was such, such camaraderie with people and enthusiasm. And it's just like, they're invigorated. And that's the one thing that I found from a lot of people is it's, it's when you come back out of it, they've finally done something. It's like when we've done our first Iron Man, you know, how that

anticipation about how is it going to go, this, that, the other. Now Iron Man is, you know, 16, 17 hours. This is 16, 17 seconds. So it's a little different, but it's still the same mind concepts that you're still running through your head and still, you know, anticipating it. But when you come out, everybody loves it. Everybody absolutely loves it.

James Jockle (07:11)
Well, I think with the rise in people doing cold plunges and whatnot, maybe the barriers coming down a little bit in terms of dealing with cold water. But, you know, the one thing that I found when I observed the event, and this is a well-organized event, and the thing that was actually most intimidating was having the town there having an ambulance just in case something goes wrong. And then there was an officer, I guess, in a

huge wet dry suit, ⁓ know, ⁓ big red dry suit in the water just in case anybody had problems. So at least, you you're taking safety into consideration.

Ken (07:41)
Yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah. They, the police department, the fire department, EMS have been absolutely fantastic over the years. So the

police department now come down with their, with a nice new Marine unit and they are just, just beyond the breakwater. And then we have two, it's two Marine cops that are in the water in their dry suits and they're just standing out there as if it's just another day on the patrol.

And then we have a of EMS and the fire department. And again, they come down for the camaraderie. know, they know it's a well-organized event and we take them into consideration and be a part of it. And it's just, you know, it's great. mean, so it's like anybody who's, you know, thinking about coming down, come down. Just come down and watch it. Just be a spectator and see all of the crazy people running into the water.

James Jockle (08:35)
So I want to dive into triathlon a little bit since this has been founded and ⁓ nurtured over so many years by the Rye Triathlon Club. Many people don't know about triathlon. ⁓ Maybe they have an image of ⁓ watching Kona, the big Ironman event, but perhaps you could just share what is triathlon? people tell us the differences in

Ken (08:57)
So the event is a swim,

a bike and a run. So you can go from a sprint, which is just over a half mile swim, the bike is about 15 miles and then there's a 5k run. That's quite manageable to most people. That's your entry level to get into triathlons. And it looks like it's overwhelming, but it's not because if you break it down,

James Jockle (09:02)
race lengths and how triathlon can be accessible.

Ken (09:26)
and you do the training, just a little bit of training, a little bit of swim, a little bit of bike, you can do one. And then as you and I both know, we bit that apple many years ago and we just went into the orchard. And it's just like, you know, I want more of this. And it goes all the way up. You have the Olympic, which is a double sprint, which is just under a just under a mile swim. It has a 25 mile bike and then a 10k run.

and then you head up to the half mile, or the half Ironman, which is a 1.2 mile swim. You have then a 56 mile bike and you finish it off with a 13.1 mile run. And then if you're crazy enough and you've bitten off more than you can chew, like some people we know, you head to the full Ironman. Now that is, that's a lot of work, but it's like, it's,

You can't look at it from the outside and go like, my, I'll never do that. I said I'd never do one. And I've done a few at this stage. it's like, once you make that goal to do it, ⁓ there's nothing like the finishing line. On any of the events, on either sprint, Olympic, half or full, there's nothing like finishing it because you've accomplished something. And particularly with an Ironman, I've seen people who've just gone from a sprint all the way up to an Ironman.

I think that it's a progression. Take it nice and slowly getting into it, but there's nothing like it. You have the plaques on the wall, you know what that feels like, you know, like, my God. And you think back of it, it's nothing is, there's nothing out there that you can't do.

James Jockle (11:11)
Well, in full disclosure for listeners, Ken was my first triathlon coach and ⁓ I was one who went through that progression. And I think the thing that I found was the profound sense of community and making and nurturing lifelong friends. Ken, you and I have known each other now well over 10 years and it started with, you know, crazy nights on a high school track running around and then

Ken (11:33)
Yeah, I mean, that's what it is. It's just like, it's like, there's somebody who's coming into the club and has been on their

James Jockle (11:40)
and just getting to the start of a sprint.

Ken (11:40)
WhatsApp texting and all the rest. And she's coming back after 20 years. And it's just like, you know, and everybody's coming around like, come on, this is great, fantastic. And she's kind of wondering where to start. Just put a foot forward. Just get in the pool. Just do a length or two. Just start somewhere, go into the gym. Go for a walk. Like one of the things I love to do,

on the snowy night now is just go for a long walk. It's just like, do something and you will want to do more.

James Jockle (12:09)
You know, one of the crazy things, and I remember reading an article in the Wall Street Journal many years ago, I was talking about triathlon because the boom was really kind of taking off in terms of people getting into multi-sport. And it talked about how expensive it was and all the money you can spend on bikes and equipment and memberships and accessibility to pools. I think it's important to know, like if you go to the Sleepy Hollow,

that's in June. There are bikes of all shapes and sizes. are, you know, you do not need fancy equipment. You need a bike and a helmet and you know, a pair of swim trunks and you're good to go. Maybe some sneakers. would suggest sneakers. It's a little rocky.

Ken (12:43)
Yeah, I think it's a good idea. It's not it's I mean, if you want to spend an awful lot of money on it, you can. It's like anything. But, know, you can do it on a shoestring. I did it on a shoestring when I first did my first

Ironman back 2013. hadn't got a pot, you know what? And it's just like, you know, it's once I had a bike, once I had a pair of sneakers and once I had a wetsuit, I was I was golden.

You can start from there. And as you progress further on to it, the more that you get to like it, then you can buy into goggles and the Di2s on a bike or the great sneakers and the watches and all the rest. But it doesn't take an awful lot of money to get involved in it. And you can borrow a bike and if you get involved in a club, somebody always has a second bike.

and they can lend it to you. It's just like, and then you get to see without putting all that investment into it, you can get the support through a club to, so that you can achieve something that you can say, I did it.

James Jockle (13:47)
So doing the plunge, great way also to meet members of the club ⁓ and starting off, you know, perhaps some new New Year's resolutions in terms of your own personal development and fitness goals.

Ken (13:51)
Yeah, I mean, for me, it's a start for the new season again. You know, I've had a couple of months of nice rest and now

it's ⁓ I'm starting it back up. I'm already thinking about getting into the gym, just doing a couple of lightweights, doing some core work. I've been in the pool, which has been great for me. And, you know, a membership in a Y or a gym that has a pool.

is so beneficial. You can do so much. You can run on a treadmill. So there's many ways to do it. I think that when you set a goal and you say, want to do something, and if you're around a bunch of people who are of the same thinking, you will get dragged along into it. And if you try it, you can do it alone. We all know that training, doing things alone.

individually, but when you are around a bunch of people, you do have a tendency to pull yourself and try to do a little bit better and get fitter and say like, I want to do that and I want to do this. And then by the time everybody's talking about different races, you're just on the conveyor belt and you're heading to Kona.

James Jockle (15:07)
And the best thing, how many members are in the club now? Are you still doing the weekly swims at Oakland Beach, the group rides on Saturday? Tell us a little bit about the makeup of the club.

Ken (15:08)
So, so we have about 120. Before COVID, we had close to 200 220. So we're kind of building it back up now.

A lot of things have changed since then. With the club, we're not doing open water swims. That usually ends in September. Some people are crazy enough to stay out there a little bit longer. And we do have open water swims from May all the way to September.

at the Wrighttown Beach, that's through the club. That's part of our membership. We have swims that are now starting to take off with the Greenwich Y. We have a partnership with them, a program part again of the Wright membership. That we go there, I think it's 10 weeks every Sunday, an hour, an hour a half a swim. And it's guided by coaches. We have a coach, we have a

a professional coach with the club who comes with the membership again. So it's pretty much self-contained that if people do come in, they're looked after. The facilities are there for them to do it and then for them to figure out whether they want to do more. there's a lot involved. As you just mentioned, the Saturdays we have group riots A, B and C. That's probably our

biggest weekly gathering of members and that's where we get to know a lot of other people, to help out. And it's really great and the camaraderie and people are setting up, meeting up during the week for early morning runs or things like that. just, it's really, it has grown. Ray has done a fantastic job starting it off many years ago and it's continuing on out today.

So festivities will start about 11 o'clock. Jamie, DJ, will pipe it up. People are coming down, just hanging out. it's just like the atmosphere that's really good. And then there's a bagpiper. We have a bagpiper that's walking around, blowing out a few tunes in the morning, greeting everybody coming in. And then about a quarter to 12 things will really start to ramp up and people are starting to get nervous.

James Jockle (17:00)
So let's go to the Polar Plunge. What time do festivities start? What time should people arrive? What time are we going in the water? Give us those details.

Ken (17:26)
You see coats and jackets coming off. You go like, no, put them back on for another couple of minutes. And we have a national anthem, a couple of words are said. We have a couple of dignitaries coming down, congressmen, mayors, and all the rest to support us. And then we do a countdown. And then it's in the water and back out. we're trying to get News Channel 12 to come along and do a live broadcast on the day.

We had CBS News Channel 2 from New York came up last year and gave us some great exposure. So there's a lot going on in the day. And then with the police EMS and the fire department just going like, whoa, what's going on? And there's a great atmosphere from the spectators as well.

James Jockle (18:14)
So if anybody does put their big toe in the water, any tips on how to warm up after, know, how many towels, dry clothes, what should people bring just in case?

Ken (18:14)
I definitely bring a towel to dry off. Get as much clothes as you possibly can on you. Double pair of socks, sweatpants, know, lighter layer underneath and then sweatpants

on top of that. ⁓ Shirts, gloves, stuff like that. It's just, you know, you'll get warm very quickly if you put on a couple of layers. And the great thing about layers is you can take them off as you get warmer. Usually I would...

You know, if I was swimming during the winter, get into the car and you'd be like this and then an hour later, there's this euphoric feeling that comes over you. It's just like, my God, this energy. It's ⁓ cold water plunging just for a bit or getting into cold water is great for the immune system, great for weight loss, surprisingly, brain health. And overall, I mean, I think anybody who's ever been in the water.

cold water like that, it's always come out. The hour or two after is just like you feel amazing. So it's worth a try.

Hahaha!

That'll wake you up. That's a very good way of ⁓ marketing it is. like, you know, you're a little hungover, come on down.

James Jockle (19:25)
And for some of our listeners, it's great for hangovers. So

maybe we'll all see you out there. Yeah, exactly. ⁓

I've done a ride a little hungover and that wasn't fun. So Ken, I want to thank you so much. I want to thank the Ride Try Club for their stewardship for the last 26 years and it's incredible the amount of money the club has raised through this activity and I wish you best of luck on New Year's Day.

Ken (19:41)
I appreciate it very much and thanks for having us and great podcasts. Keep up the good work. Look forward to every episode every week. So thanks, Jim.

James Jockle (19:54)
Thanks, Ken.