Polar Bear Club takes annual plunge in Coney Island
CONEY ISLAND – Relatively tropical temperatures drew a larger crowd than usual to the annual Polar Bear Plunge on Coney Island, where since 1903 members of the public have joined the Polar Bear Club in dunking themselves in the icy ocean on New Year’s Day. Gothamist reports that thousands showed up for the event starting at 11 a.m., braving the 43-degree waters to earn goosebumps of pride.
The Polar Bear Plunge is always free, but donations are encouraged, and participants this year raised more than $83,000 for local organizations like the New York Aquarium and the Alliance for Coney Island.
Coney Island
View MoreIn just a little over an hour, you can be transported from the glitz and glamor of Manhattan to the old-school amusement of Brooklyn's storied Coney Island. The destination offers thrills, sun, surf and a unique brand of entertainment that will feel worlds away from the rest of the City.