By Carol Britton Meyer

The annual Drowned Hogs polar plunge – a tradition that will end after this year’s event – started 30 years ago as a Wellspring fundraiser for those daring enough to walk or run into the frigid waters of Nantasket Beach.

The name, which was recently changed to Winter Warrior Games, was a play on words, as the plunge typically happened on or near Groundhog Day.

When asked why this is the final year, Wellspring Communications Director Kathryn Walsh told The Hull Times, “We are officially retiring the Drowned Hog. The last, updated logo shows the aged groundhog, ready for retirement, saying, ‘I’m too old for this!’”

The Drowned Hogs: The Last Hurrah plunge will take place Saturday, January 31, near the Mary Jeanette Murray Bathhouse on Nantasket Beach at noon, followed by an after-party at Daddy’s Beach Club at 12:30 p.m., with a suggested donation at the door for non-swimmers.

It’s hoped that long-time participants as well as newcomers from the past few years will take the plunge. These brave and fun-loving individuals often come dressed in creative costumes to add to the fun.

While the Drowned Hog plunge isn’t Wellspring’s biggest fundraiser, it has become a beloved tradition that brings the community together.

“It has given everyone something fun to look forward to in the middle of the winter when Hull is quiet – and better yet, it’s all been for a good cause!” Walsh said.

The event will be missed by many.

‘L Street Drownies’

Hull resident Tom Haddock and Al Bollinger, who now lives in Pittsburgh, started what would become an annual tradition among hardy souls on February 3, 1996, when the then-“L Street Drownies” – emulating their South Boston counterparts, the “L Street Brownies” – plunged into the near-freezing surf on L Street in Hull.

The first year was particularly challenging, with a 13-degree temperature and 30-mph winds.

“I threw my towel on the ground before taking the plunge, and it blew away,” Bollinger recalled.

The following year, the location was changed to A Street, with the day of the event featuring a temperature of 45 degrees and abundant sunshine.

Bollinger’s traditional garb was a colorful Hawaiian shirt, bathing suit, and Daniel Boone-style hat.

While taking the plunge started out just for fun among several fellow commuter boat riders from Pemberton Pier to Boston at Haddock’s suggestion, it became a fundraiser when Bollinger stopped by Wellspring’s Nantasket Avenue location shortly after the first event and had the idea of going back to the group to collect donations – after getting the OK from the surprised thrift shop attendant to borrow a wooden well decoration from the counter in which to collect the money.

That day about $50 was collected, with many thousands of dollars raised over the years through this event.

Number of participants has grown

Following that first plunge, the six participants, including one woman, Susan Redican – later nicknamed the “Ice Queen” – promised to return the following year, again on the first Saturday after Groundhog Day. The number of fun-loving participants has grown to more than 200 swimmers a year, regardless of the temperature.

“While the men were debating on how to enter the cold surf, Susan just ran in and we followed her,” Bollinger – who has a binder containing photos and newspaper clippings from past plunges – recalled.

He wrote a poem that the group used to predict spring’s arrival:

“If the Drowned Hogs frolic in the ocean’s brine,

Spring arrives right on time.

But if they scream and run back out,

Winter will be a six week bout!”

While his last year taking the plunge was 2024, Haddock now supports the fundraiser as an event sponsor.

Bollinger last participated in the plunge during its 25th year.

“I was in Pittsburgh and started a chapter called the “Pittsburrrgh Drowned Hogs, who took the plunge on Groundhog Day for 10 years,” he said. “I would fly to Hull to take part in that plunge and then return home to participate in the one there.”

Drowned Hogs float won second place

Haddock recalls the group decorating a float featuring an ice queen, designed by Bollinger, in honor of the Drowned Hogs plunge during a Heritage Days parade in Hull, throwing out ice to the kids along the parade route instead of candy. “We came in second place!”

Those planning to join in this last plunge to benefit Wellspring are encouraged to challenge their friends, family, and co-workers to join them to help raise record-high dollars in support of community members in need of assistance.

To register or make a donation, visit wellspringmultiservice.org/drownedhogs. For more information, email Jessie Pilewski, vice president of adult education, at jessie@wellspringmultiservice.org.

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