Many people across the United States and beyond welcome the new year with a run into the water, known as a Polar Bear Plunge. It's a New Year's Day tradition in Canada and the Netherlands.

Though Vancouver claims to be the reason the polar plunge became a New Year's tradition, it isn't the oldest example of the plunge itself. In New York, the cold water dip dates back to 1903.

Lustgarten’s group – the Coney Island Polar Bear Club – hosted the first winter water plunge in the United States on New Year’s Day in 1903. The L Street Brownies in South Boston followed ...

The big one is the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge, held on Coney Island Beach at Stillwell Avenue. It runs from 10 am to 2 pm, and registrations are open online until 1 pm.

Tim Sherno, left, a Minnesota resident is joined by Chris Chamberlin of Millersville as they plunge during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday.

The Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Plunge attracted thousands of New Yorkers ready to start the year with a shock to their systems. Since 1903, New Yorkers have braved the icy ...

The annual Polar Plunge Chicago, benefiting Special Olympics Illinois and Special Children’s Charities, took place Sunday, March 2, 2025, at North Avenue Beach. Over 4,000 people jumped into the ...

Were you Seen at 18th annual Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics on Nov. 23, 2024, in Shepard Park Beach in Lake George, N.Y.?

The Eugene Polar Plunge is an annual event that raises money for Special Olympics Oregon. Special Olympics Oregon provides opportunities for athletes to compete at local, regional and statewide ...

Staff Sergeant Peyton Shipley, 627th Force Support Squadron, a JBLM Polar Plunge organizer who has cold-plunged for about a year now, recognizes the mood-boosting effects of cold plunging.

After a seven-year hiatus, Pāpāmoa’s polar plunge is back for 2025. It’s time to don your winter-themed costume, head down to the beach below Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club and take an icy dip this ...