Polar Bears Celebrate July Fourth With Friendship Circle
"We are comrades and friends and everyone is welcome."
"We are comrades and friends and everyone is welcome."
Hugs for old friends reunited as the summer begins.
Hugs for old friends reunited as the summer begins.
The Polar Bears season traditionally begins on the Fourth of July with a prayer for friendship.
The Polar Bears season traditionally begins on the Fourth of July with a prayer for friendship.
Morning rainfall couldn't keep the Oak Bluffs faithful away.
Morning rainfall couldn't keep the Oak Bluffs faithful away.
Their motto is “I am the source of my joy and infinite possibilities.”
Their motto is “I am the source of my joy and infinite possibilities.”
Moment of meditation as raindrops fall.
Moment of meditation as raindrops fall.
The group is now a panoply of colors and backgrounds, just like Oak Bluffs.
The group is now a panoply of colors and backgrounds, just like Oak Bluffs.
Celebrating freedom, friendship and exercise
Celebrating freedom, friendship and exercise
Circle of friendship is formed for 2023.
Circle of friendship is formed for 2023.
There are three types of Bears that meet at 7:30 in the morning; the swimming bears, the nonswimming bears or bear-watchers and talkers.
There are three types of Bears that meet at 7:30 in the morning; the swimming bears, the nonswimming bears or bear-watchers and talkers.
Caroline Hunter traditionally leads the exercise circle.
Caroline Hunter traditionally leads the exercise circle.
This is the old Martha's Vineyard in case you thought it no longer existed.
This is the old Martha's Vineyard in case you thought it no longer existed.
Documenting the celebration from atop the left jetty.
Documenting the celebration from atop the left jetty.
Traditionally there is a potluck breakfast after the swim.
Traditionally there is a potluck breakfast after the swim.
"You have to spread your wings in order to find out how high you can fly."
"You have to spread your wings in order to find out how high you can fly."
After the rain, fog settled in over Nantucket Sound.
After the rain, fog settled in over Nantucket Sound.
Grabbing towels to dry off before the morning potluck.
Grabbing towels to dry off before the morning potluck.
A helping hand.
A helping hand.
Despite the morning downpour of rain and then fog, the Polar Bears gathered at Inkwell Beach in a friendship circle for their traditional Fourth of July holiday swim in Nantucket Sound.