Freezin' for a Reason: Hundreds take the plunge at Seabrook Beach for addiction recovery

SEABROOK — Jovanny Alcequiez braved the freezing Atlantic Ocean for a quick dip on New Year's Eve.

The 20-year-old, currently in an addiction recovery program, said doing the cold plunge is “a sign of renewal.”

“I live in a sober home now because I wanted to get myself right,” said Alcequiez. “When I heard that they were doing a plunge for somebody who fought through (addiction), I knew I had to take this fight along with them… it’s about the community, the love.”

Nearly 200 people gathered underneath the Hampton Harbor bridge Tuesday to take part in the Freezin' for a Reason Polar Plunge, an annual fundraiser hosted by Chucky’s Fight. The local nonprofit helps people who are struggling with addiction get into recovery homes while providing mentorship and support on their journey to sober living.

Alcequiez, who lives in a sober home in Manchester, was one of the individuals that have benefited from the fundraiser.

“Someone once told me, ‘You could either take time repairing what happens before or take the time to prepare for what comes next,’” he said. “So, if you take this time to prepare yourself for getting into a cold plunge… It’s like in those hard times, the water is cold, but after a while, you get used to it, and you grow from it. That’s what I think is necessary about this renewal.”

Chucky Rosa, founder of Chucky’s Fight, said the idea of the annual fundraiser came from something that he has been doing every day for the past 20 years. Each day, he takes a dip into the Atlantic Ocean as a way to remember his two sons. He said residents would notice his routine and sometimes offered to join.

“I lost my two sons, Dominic and Vincent, two accidental drug overdoses, and I put the ashes in the ocean here on the Seabrook side of the Hampton bridge,” he said. “So, I come down here every morning… and take a dip and ask them to help me get through the day and make healthy choices.”

Rosa, who has fought addiction himself, said the first few months of losing his sons were especially difficult. He said the plunge, which he continues to do twice a day, started initially as a healthy distraction.

“Instead of making poor choices like going to the liquor store or doing drugs, I jump in the water,” he said. “It helps keep me clean and sober, and I try to reconnect with my sons.”

Since its inception, the fundraiser has attracted many people including those who are affected by addiction and those who just want to support a good cause. Tuesday’s attendees include residents from New Hampshire as well as Massachusetts.

Rosa said doing a plunge into the cold ocean is a sign of strength that you can battle through anything.

“The way we look at it is if they can do something hard like this on a cold day, they can go and drive by the liquor store or not put a needle in their arms or take a pill they shouldn’t be taking,” he said. “It gives them the confidence to say: ‘I can do hard things. I don’t have to do this (expletive) to get through the day.’”

Before making the plunge, Janet Gillis shouted a phrase that is particularly important to her: “Have an attitude of gratitude.”

“I was an alcoholic… I lost my job for being nasty,” she said. “It was my job of 20 years, and I loved it,” she said.

Gillis said she attends the plunge each year as a way to keep her motivated and help those who are struggling. Since being sober, Gillis said she has never looked back. Jan. 1, 2025, will be her 13th anniversary of being sober.

“I just keep looking one day at a time, thinking positive and passing it along to others,” said Gillis.

Jasmine Caraway, who works at the Hope for NH Recovery Center, said this was her second plunge. She said the cause is something that is very close to her heart.

“I have a lot of friends who have had to reach out to Chucky (Rosa) when they didn’t want to leave sober living, but they need a little bit of help,” she added. “And Chucky (Rosa) is always here to support, so I’m here to support him.”

Caraway said having the fundraiser on New Year’s Eve “represents a new start” for the people.

“On New Year’s Eve, most people are reflecting on what happened in the past year and what they can do differently,” she said. “I think this is a great way of going into the water, washing away the old years, and starting fresh for the new year. That’s all that recovery is about really.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Freezin' for a Reason: Hundreds take the plunge at Seabrook Beach