Annual Otter Plunge draws hundreds into chilly waters

By Mark Muckenfuss

Hannah Howes clasped her arms against her chest and curled her body inward for warmth. She’d just emerged from the calm but cold ocean after taking part in Cal State Monterey Bay’s annual Otter Plunge on Sunday, Aug. 24. 

The freshman biology major from Sacramento was near shivering along with her classmates Maya Rotershteyn, a mechatronics major from LaFayette, and Amelia Pavelski, of Fresno, also a biology major. Only Pavelski had ventured beyond chest-high depth and actually plunged beneath the surface. 

“We’re frozen,” said Howes.

“We’re like Otter Pops,” Pavelski laughed.

The three were among hundreds of fellow Otters – including, for the first time, alumni – who ventured from the CSUMB campus to Del Monte Beach in Monterey, just east of Fisherman’s Wharf. Under dreary and drizzly skies, they gathered on the beach – some in leggings and long-sleeved shirts, some in shorts or bikinis –and were released in waves by the attending lifeguards to go whooping, screaming and splashing into the chilly water, a rite of passage as a new school year begins.

“It’s the start of a new chapter,” said Autumn Hemenway, a fourth-year liberal studies major from Sacramento. Last year, Hemenway broke through her fear of open water by diving beneath the surface. “I’m excited to do it again,” she said. 

The plunge, now in its fourth year, moved venues this time around, from the Tides resort in Seaside to the Monterey location. CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones said she thinks it was a good change

“There’s more parking and we brought bigger buses,” Quiñones said. “It’s more open here and there is better crowd control. Afterwards, the students can play volleyball or do other activities. This is the center of Monterey.”

While she doesn’t look forward to the cold water – this year, she wore a wetsuit instead of leggings – she said the plunge is one of her favorite moments of the school year. 

“Every year, it’s a pleasure to see the Otters in the ocean together and rafting up,” she said. “Otter pride, that’s what I’m feeling right here. It’s a good time. 

“We’re having such a great time, even the sea lions want to come,” she added, pointing to a rounded head that had just surfaced beyond the swimmers. “I meant to have otters, but I ordered sea lions by mistake,” she said with a smile. 

As she spoke, a swimmer emerged from the water dressed in a pajama onesie of Stitch, the Disney character. 

Jose Tejada, a senior majoring in sociology and liberal studies, said a friend had given him the outfit and it seemed appropriate for the moment.

“I just wanted to wear something different today,” Tejada said. “Everyone is enjoying the silliness.”

He’d just come away from his third plunge of the morning and said he’s been looking forward to the event since last year, when he participated for the first time. 

“It brings the whole community out with a lot of energy,” he said. “We’re together. We keep each other warm. We’re Otters, we have thick skin. Let’s go for it.”

For Landon Meyers, a freshman business major from Auburn, the plunge was an important opportunity for social connection. Prior to the first wave of students dashing into the water, everyone present on the beach lined up for a photo and yelled, “Raft up!” the otter-themed metaphor for creating mutual support.

“It’s a nice communal bonding,” Meyers said. “I feel I’m more a part of the community now. Your’e getting in the water, you’re with your friends and you’re meeting new people. This is a blast.”

And one worth making note of, said Howes, as she began to warm up a little. 

“It was exciting,” she said. “I’m going to add this to my freshman scrapbook.”

Additional content, including videos for Welcome Week ,Otter Days and photo galleries provided below.