by RocklandNews Staff Writer
STONY POINT, NY – The icy frigid waters of the Hudson River were – yet again – no match for hundreds of swimsuit-laden North Rocklanders yesterday, as the Stony Point Seals marked a successful return to their traditional “Super Plunge”, held annually on Super Bowl Sunday since the year 2000, at the Stony Point Seawall.
While the occasion was a bit more of a somber one after the tragic loss of Jerry Accomando, one of the Seals’ core friends and partners in the charitable organization, and the weather was markedly colder and cloudier than previous plunges, the occasion still remained a festive one, with a DJ on the Town of Stony Point stage playing classic rock to the crowd of approximately 1200 guests.
The Seals’ annual charitable efforts have engrained the organization and its members in the minds of many local residents, businesses and town officials. Supervisors from both the Towns of Stony Point and Haverstraw attend each year, as well as County Executive Ed Day. Village of West Haverstraw Mayor Robert D’Ameglio was seen catching up with friends who were about to take the plunge into the cold Hudson River – as professional divers cleared the ice from the shore of the beach.
Over the past 20 years, proceeds from donations to the event have been given to dozens of children and families with crushing medical expenses. This year, the recipients are Jake (JJ) Alongi, Noah Diaz and Thomas McGoldrick. You can learn more about each child at the Stony Point Seals’ website.
Last year, the event was not officially held for the public, but the Seals released a “virtual plunge”, which was held to benefit the family of Oscar Beckman, and released on YouTube.
Details of the Event from Sunday Feb 13, 2022
Coffee, hamburgers and hot dogs were provided for free, and donations were optional but plentiful. A 50/50 was held, as well as several gift baskets valued at over $500 were raffled. Local renowned photographer Thomas McGuire snapped hundreds of photos of the local participant, as well as the action shots of the actual plunge in real time. DJ Joe Guidice from Big Dog Entertainment kept the crowd warm with Classic Rock tunes spanning several decades.
All photos provided courtesy of Thomas McGuire
Traffic was managed by the local police and fire departments, in coordination with local Governments. Shuttles were provided from several parking lots across Rockland. Parking was somewhat constrained, as has been the case for several years after parking on the US Gypsum property was restricted. This did not deter the crowd from gathering at the event.
As is tradition, a parade of motorcyclists and choppers, originating from Babes’ Restaurant, rode through the event. However, this time they rode without one of their closest, Jerry Accomando. The owner of Babes Restaurant passed away one month ago after a long battle with colon cancer. He was 65. Still, tradition was kept alive, in memoriam of the beloved community member.
When the time came to jump in the river, the plungers tossed their outer garb and stood in the parking lot of nearby Playa Cancun, as they waited for their core temperature to better match the 26 degree cold. This is a safety measure to prevent hypothermic shock when entering the river. Bagpipers and drummers played loudly, while the plungers cheered even louder, flags in the air.
When the time came to plunge, the bagpipers led the way – followed by longtime Seals John Fox, John Corcoran and Chris Bryceland. The US and local flags were flown proudly in the air, as they marched to the Hudson River, cheered on by over 1200 onlookers.
At the stage, all plungers stopped, turned and sang in unison the US National Anthem.
Then, the plungers turned, walked up the wooden stairs and down onto the beach. At the signal, the ran, walked, or strolled into the water.
Some only stayed in for 15 seconds, while others threw caution to the wind and remained in for longer. Afer approximately 4 minutes, the last of the veteran plungers began to return to the beach, arm in arm, chanting “USA!…USA!…USA!”
Warming tents were provided to those who plunged. While speaking with several plungers, most indicated that the water was not as cold as last year, but still cold enough to, as one anonymous plunger stated – “awaken the warrior within”.
The Seals will announce the results of the event on Feb 27th 2022 at Fireside Restaurant, and plan to provide proceeds to the families of Jake, Noah and Thomas.