Soon, tradition will once again summon thousands of brave Brooklynites into the brisk waters of Coney Island on New Year’s Day.
At around 1 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2020, a new class of adventurous swimmers will convene on the Coney Island Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue to help welcome the New Year as part of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club’s annual holiday dip.
The annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge at Coney Island. Photo: Arthur de Gaeta/Brooklyn Eagle
Founded in 1903, the Coney Island Polar Bear Club is the oldest winter bathing organization in the country. Its seasoned members enjoy swimming in the Atlantic Ocean every Sunday from November to April. But the New Year’s Day swim is open to anyone willing to brave oftentimes brutal temperatures in the name of tradition — and charity.
While there is no fee for swimmers or observers, there is a small suggested donation to benefit local Coney Island organizations including the New York Aquarium, the Alliance for Coney Island, Coney Island USA, the Coney Island History Project, and other local arts and history projects.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams prepares to wade into the waves on Jan. 1, 2019, as admirers look on. Photo: Arthur de Gaeta/Brooklyn Eagle
Last year’s swim saw more than 4,000 people who raised over $60,000.
This year will be the 116th annual Polar Bear Plunge, a tradition that began back when the club was formed. Today, revelers come to Coney Island from all over the city, and beyond. Swimmers are encouraged to bring a change of warm clothes, surf boots or old sneakers, towels and, if they so wish, their most outrageous costumes.
A group of wrestling fans is all decked out for the plunge. Photo: Arthur de Gaeta/Brooklyn Eagle
Last year’s plunge was a particularly warm one, the temperature outside a balmy 59 degrees. On the other hand, 2018’s New Year’s Day swim was a frosty 37 degrees — its waters, an even icier 17 degrees.
This year’s weather will be more like 2018’s, according to a 30-day forecast for the borough.
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One Response
The temps are reversed for 2018 – water was not 17 degrees. That was likely the air temp and water certainly could have been 37.