The Ocean Beach Polar Bear Plunge is slowly joining the rolls of the Del Mar and La Jolla New Year’s day traditions. For the past three years, the Dana Middle School Surfriders have sponsored the Polar Bear Plunge at Ocean Beach. Joining together with the Silver Gate Elementary Surf Club and Correia Middle School, the Dana Surfriders have now opened the free family New Year’s day event to other schools and families in the area. Polar Bear participants met at Tower 5 at 9 a.m. to count down their charge the chilly waters of the Pacific. More than 50 children and a few adults braved the early morning challenge without the benefit of a wetsuit. A warm fire and hot chocolate awaited all those who started off the new year with a thrill chill.