''We're still going ahead. It will just be scaled down a bit,'' St Clair Surf Lifesaving Club president Antony Mason said yesterday.
''It raises about $3000 to $4000 for us, so it's a good winter fundraiser.''
The 2013 Polar Plunge will be held between St Clair Beach and Middle Beach at noon on Sunday, June 16.
It will be the 85th year the polar plunge has been held.
''The only year we didn't have one was in 2004, when the sea wall was being built,'' Mr Mason said.
''It really is an iconic Dunedin event. We get more people here for the midwinter swim than we have on the busiest day in summer.''
The area in front of the St Clair Surf Lifesaving Club rooms resembled a bomb site yesterday,
the large holes in the Esplanade still growing by the day. The bottom section of the launch ramp had dropped 10cm, and a window in the clubhouse was smashed from the vibration of the sea crashing against the wall.
''Basically, the club is sitting on a big block of concrete on top of a sand dune.
''There's a big king tide due later this month and it's got the potential to wipe it out,'' Mr Mason said.
''You are never going to win against the sea.
''You can apportion blame wherever you want, but nature will still have the final say. I just hope the council will listen to people, like surfers and lifesavers, who have spent 30 years looking out there.''
The damage had interfered with a callout to Tunnel Beach on Sunday, Mr Mason said.
''Normally, we'd launch at the ramp, but we had to launch at Middle Beach.
''It puts a significant delay on it and adds crucial minutes to a rescue scenario. It will affect us into summer.''
