A Polar Plunge and Chili Cook-Off

Guy Harvey Outpost Resort hosts two events on Saturday, January 13, 2024: a Polar Bear Plunge into the Atlantic Ocean and an ICS-sanctioned Chili Cook Off. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Matanzas Riverkeeper. There are several ways to participate in the The Big Chilly Cook-off:

• From 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., the public is invited to help clean up the beach with the Matanzas Riverkeeper. The Riverkeeper will provide tools and bags and suggests you bring gloves if you want to wear them.
• At 11:00 a.m., hardy souls who love the water can take the Big Chilly Polar Bear Plunge into the Atlantic. Unlike other official Polar Bear Plunges, there's no need to worry about ice on the water, though the water and air temps may be in the 50s. Plunge registration costs $25.00, which includes a ticket to the chili tasting on Saturday. The current world record for Polar Bear Plunge plungees is 1,799, and they hope to break it at this event. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, and the plunge starts at 11:00 a.m. (It probably won't last too long.)
• Chili teams may join the Chili Challenge Cook-off on Saturday and Sunday. The chili categories are Homestyle Chili, Verde Chili, Veggie Chili, and Traditional Red Chili. 
• Chili will be judged on both Saturday and Sunday.
• On Saturday, the public can purchase tasting tickets and vote for their favorite Traditional Red Chili. Chili-tasting tickets are $20.00 per person.
• On Sunday, judges will again taste chili made in one of the four categories. The event is not open to the public on Sunday.

Polar Bear Plunge

• Registration is available online or beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2024.
• $25.00 to take the plunge and taste the chili.
• Individuals and teams may enter.
• Awards will be given for the Best Floatie, Best-Dressed Plunger, and Best-Dressed Team.
• Register before December 26 and receive a Big Chilly medal after the plunge.
• Plungers can warm up with chili after they get chilly.

Chili Cook-off Contest

This cook-off is sanctioned by the International Chili Society (ICS) and all competitors must be ICS members. You can become a member by registering on the ICS website.

• $25.00 per adult entry for the cook-off. There is a youth division with no entry fee.
• The judges will taste four kinds of chilis:
  • Traditional Red Chili— any combination of meat cooked with red chili peppers, spices, and other ingredients but without beans, rice, or fillers.
  • Homestyle Chili — any combination of meat or seafood plus beans cooked with vegetables, spices, and other ingredients.
  • Verde Chili — any combination of meat cooked with green chili peppers, spices, and other ingredients. Non-vegetable fillers are not allowed.
  • Veggie Chili — any combination of vegetables and no meat or meat by-products. Soy products and "meat" substitutes are allowed.
•  Each team is required to make three gallons of chili. 
• All registrants will have a designated cooking space that's 10x10 feet. The participating cooks must provide their own canopy or tent, tables, chairs, and supplies.
• The public may taste all the chili with the purchase of a $20.00 ticket.

Support Team/Spectators

Don't want to make chili or jump into the Atlantic in January? Pay $20.00 on Saturday and taste the chili made by the competitors.

The Chili Cook-Off continues on Sunday for judges and cook-off participants only.

About the Matanzas Riverkeeper: The Riverkeeper advocates for stronger water quality protections, organizes waterway cleanups, and teaches the public how to be good stewards of the environment.