The 2010 Dolphin Dip Extravaganza

The 2010 Dolphin Dip Extravaganza

Cory Withers

Topsail Advertiser

Some people like to likes to dress up in wacky costumes. Others like to help good causes. Still, others just like to be where the “happening event” is taking place. And finally, some people just plain like to torture themselves by jumping into freezing water. If you are any of those people, then the Dolphin Dip Extravaganza in Surf City is the place for you. The New Year’s Day event enters its eighth year of freezing fun on the first day of 2010.

For those who are new to the area, the Dolphin Dip is considered by some to be the world’s largest New Year’s Day group swim. While the main event will take place at noon, when around 4000 people will run into the Atlantic ocean at once, the events preceding the swim are anticipated by many just as much. This year’s entertainment will be bigger and wilder than years before.

“We’re totally expanding the entertainment this year,” said Dolphin Dip Founder Brian Moxey. “We’ve got a guy playing bag pipes, a guy on stilts, a belly dancer, a fire-spitter, a knife juggler, and a girl in a flaming hula hoop! I’m going with a circus theme. And a nine year old named, Danielle Johnston will be singing the national anthem.”

These events will begin around the gazebo area of the Roland Avenue Beach Access in Surf City and are expected to go on for an hour. Besides these amazing side-shows that will be front and center, there will also be a costume contest complete with prizes.

“There will be costume contests for adults and kids. And I’ve got trophies for the kids,” said Moxey, who went on to explain the final criteria for winning the contest: you have to jump in the ocean wearing your outfit.

While parking spaces in Surf City are usually easy to find, even during tourist season, the Dolphin Dip is one of the few days of the year when you might want to plan a little bit of extra time to find a spot, and you might want to drop off anyone who can’t walk very far from the car to the gazebo. A few thousand people can always be expected to show up, including radio and television news crews.

Samples of food will be provided by area restaurants including Just Baked. And the official Dolphin Dip t-shirt, created by New Hanover High School Student Aurora Silverwood, will be on sale at the event. While the jump itself is free, the proceeds made through donations and purchases at the Dolphin Dip will benefit the Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center.