6 things you need to survive an East Coast polar dip

What better way to mark a fresh start in 2018 than plunging into the ocean?

Polar dips are a New Year's Day tradition for thousands ofMaritimers and once you overcome theinitialapprehension, it feels amazing,according toSara Wilson.

She andher husband, Craig Wilson, haveparticipated in theNew Year's polar dip atMispecBeach in Saint John for six years.

"The first time, "I was like, 'I'm going to die, this is not a good idea,'" said Wilson. "Basically, we got there and before I could say no, I just did it."

People with health conditions might want to think twice before participating.A little planning can make the dip less excruciating but only to a point.

"The first year, the tide was really far out," she said. "You had to run quite a distance to get in the water, and to get any kind of depth in the water you had to run quite far. That was challenging."

But "you're totally numb, exhilarated, your blood is rushing," Wilson said. "You feel really alive and really fresh. It's a great way to start the year."

Bonus: as Wilson said, "It's a really good cure for a hangover. You just forget about everything else and you feel good all day."

For those looking to take the plunge, here are six must-haves for polar dip day.

1. A plan

Can you pick a random beach and do your own, indie polar dip? Absolutely. But joining one of the manylarge, organized events givesyouthe full experience. Options in New Brunswick includeMispecBeach, where hundreds convergeat noon sharp for the annual, free event. At Nature Spa Chance Harbour, a $69 ticket (with proceeds to charity) gets you access to thewood-fired sauna,hot pool, live music, and food before the ocean plunge at 11:10 a.m.

InCharlo,local resident Sally Freeze is organizing a small polar dip onCharloBeach at noon. In P.E.I., the annual Charlottetown swim takes place10:30 a.m. at the foot of Pownal Street, and inNova Scotia, 15 kilometres south of downtown Halifax, the24thannual Herring Cove Polar Bear Dip gets underway at noon at Government Wharf. Dozens of smaller events are also planned across the region.

2. A packed bag

Scrambling around in the morningmakes you more likely to chicken out. To keep up the momentum on New Year's Day, take a few minutes the evening before tothrow together your trunks or swimsuit (which you absolutely want to don before leavinghome), pyjamas, a hoodie, hat, mitts,thick housecoat, and flip-flops.

"The beach is cold on your feet," Wilson said. No time wasted packing your bag also means you canshow up early at the beach and get a good parking space.

3. A tarp

There are few worse feelings than emerging, dripping, from the ocean in sub-zero weather and thenattempting to wrestle on your sandy clothes.

"We bring a tarp to put our stuff on," Wilson said. "Once you get out of the water, the big thing you want is to get into your clothes as quickly as possible." A tarp both keeps thingsclean, and makes your spoteasierto find in the mayhem.

4. Some milk crates

In Wilson's group, "everyone has their own Tupperware or milk crate to put their clothes in," she said. The containers both hold the tarp down if the beach getswindy and allow dippers tostash their clothes in the logical order of"what you're going to want to put on first," Wilson said.

Sorry, shy folks: it's best to trip off your wet bathing suit right there on the beach. You can cover up with the robe. Anyway,you'll likely be too cold to worry about accidental exposure.

5. Plastic bags.

"Get some some Sobeys bags or liquor store bags which are the best because they're thick to put your feet in before you put your feet in your boots," Wilson said. "That way, you don't get sand in your boots, and it also acts almost like a little mini-heater and your feet get warm really fast."

6. A foolproof warmup

Cranking the radiator in your car is thefirst step, but Wilson advises getting somewhere cozy, stat.

"We do the polar dip, and we rush back to our house and get in the hot tub," she said. "My aunt usually shows up and brings hot chocolate and some kind of liquor to go with it for those who want to drink it."

With a littleplanning, Wilson said, polar dips are an addictive, exhilaratingexperience.

After 2017 a year many have decried as extra tough Wilsonsaid she's "looking forward to resetting and jumping in the ocean."

With an Arctic air mass continuing to bring freezing temperatures to the region this week, she'sheard New Year's Day "might be really, really cold this year." Regardless, she said, the dip isahighlight of the post-Christmas season.

"It's basically partly wanting to see people be foolish," she said. "And it's the camaraderie.It's a fresh start."