Hundreds of Individuals throughout the nation have gone for a dip in icy waters to ring into the brand new 12 months and lift cash for charity.
Whereas some wearing New 12 months’s social gathering props, Christmas colours, and Poseidon outfits, others wore nothing however underwear or bathing fits on the annual Coney Island New 12 months’s Day Polar Plunge, a New York custom since 1903.
With the temperature sitting at 40 levels, some stated the water was slightly hotter, at 41.5 levels. Supporters of the hardy souls who dared to go for a swim stood by with towels and heat robes as they noticed their family members getting back from the ocean.
Coney Island is a neighborhood situated on the southernmost tip of Brooklyn and is residence to greater than 50,000 residents with a poverty fee near 30 %.
The Polar Plunge ensures that cash is being raised for native charities together with, the Alliance for Coney Island, The New York Aquarium, and others.
Hundreds of individuals participated within the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Membership New 12 months’s Day Plunge in Brooklyn, New York, on January 1, 2023, as a pair kiss within the Atlantic Ocean in the course of the occasion
Hundreds of courageous and dressed swimmers met outdoors the Coney Island boardwalk earlier than speeding into the Atlantic Ocean, which was set at at 41.5 levels on Sunday
NEW YEAR, NEW FACE: A person sporting a black prime hat in a go well with shaved his facial hair within the freezing water whereas having fun with the clear sky and sunshine
Individuals dressed as polar bears run into the Atlantic Ocean to kick off 2023 in authentic trend
A person waves the U.S. flag as he runs into the Atlantic on a sunny however chilly day in New York Metropolis
Swimmers dressed up as birds put their toes within the frigid water earlier than diving into the Atlantic
THIS.IS.CONEY ISLAND: A person in a Roman or Greek outfit carrying a trident is seen operating into the Atlantic Ocean in the course of the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Membership New 12 months’s Day Plunge
In 2022, there have been extra shark sightings off New York Metropolis’s shoreline than in recent times. Pictured: A person dressed up as a shark is seen popping out of the Atlantic in the course of the Polar Bear Membership New 12 months’s Day Plunge in Brooklyn, New York
Funds are additionally donated to free native public programming, in addition to environmental and academic programming, and the humanities.
‘The Alliance for Coney Island is proud to companion on this nice occasion,’ Steve Cohen, chairman of the Alliance for Coney Island, instructed SILive.com previous to the beginning of Sunday’s occasion. ‘The Polar Bear Plunge marks the official begin of the brand new 12 months in Coney Island and is a enjoyable occasion, even for these not courageous sufficient to make the leap.’
‘We recognize all of the assist from fundraisers that assist our native nonprofits,’ he added. ‘We hope that plungers and spectators will cease into our native companies that shall be open on the boardwalk and all through Coney for his or her New 12 months’s Day celebrations.’
As of Sunday night, the membership raised greater than $80,000, and can nonetheless be accepting donations till January 8.
The Coney Island plunge was simply one among a number of different polar plunge occasions that befell on the primary day of the 12 months.
Three ladies held arms as they have been courageous sufficient to swim within the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday
NEW YORK OR RIO?: A lady was fearless sufficient to get into the water in a two-piece bikini
Swimmers in one-piece bunny costumes entered the water at Coney Island seaside in Brooklyn, New York, on January 1, 2023
There was a big quantity turnout for the 2023 Polar Bear Swim in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY
After the occasion was over, many individuals stayed to benefit from the the rest of the primary day of 2023 on the seaside
Males, ladies, and youngsters of all ages additionally gathered on Sunday morning in Racine, Wisconsin, leaping into the frigid Lake Michigan for the thirtieth annual Splash and Sprint Polar Plunge.
The air temperature was within the low 40s and the water temperature was 36.9 levels in part of the U.S. the place there it’s not unusual to see sheets of ice on the sands of native seashores within the winter.
All donations from this 12 months’s occasion will go to Racine County Meals Financial institution, H.A.L.O. Homeless Help Management Group, and The Hospitality Middle.
Greater than $20,000 was raised every of the final three years, in line with the fundraiser’s official web site.
One other Polar Plunge befell at Lake Michigan in Racine, Wisconsin, on Sunday. A whole bunch of native residents gathered to have fun the brand new 12 months collectively
The air temperature was within the low 40s and the lake’s water temperature was 36.9 levels
Males, ladies, and youngsters of all ages participated within the occasion, which is able to profit a number of native charities
SUPERMAN’S GONE FOR A SWIM: A person instantly ran out of the lake after taking a fast dip
Elsewhere, a dozen of individuals participated within the sixth annual New Years’ Day Polar Plunge on the Thriller Lake Scuba Park in Wendell, North Carolina.
All proceedings have been donated to N.C. Moms Towards Drunk Driving (MADD), as an estimated 432 individuals have been killed within the Tar Heel state by impaired drivers.
This 12 months about 70 fewer individuals have died since 2021 however the 2022 loss of life toll remains to be seven % greater than in 2019, in line with ABC 11.
The 50-degree Thriller Lake is a 15-acre granite quarry lake for the unique use of scuba diving and scuba coaching. It is usually 105 toes deep.
As of Sunday, $895 out of a $3,000 aim was raised, in line with the fundraiser’s web site.
A dozen of individuals participated within the sixth annual New Years Day Polar Plunge on the Thriller Lake Scuba Park in Wendell, North Carolina, on Sunday
The 50-degree Thriller Lake is a 15-acre granite quarry lake for the unique use of scuba diving and scuba coaching
A pair held arms as they jumped into the water collectively. Lake Thriller is believed to be 105-feet deep
NEW YEAR, NEW SMILE: A lady is pictured swimming within the lake on Sunday. Donations shall be given to N.C. Moms Towards Drunk Driving after 432 individuals have been killed within the Tar Heel state by impaired drivers
In New Jersey, temperatures have been within the 50s, however the waters have been about ten levels colder when 1000’s jumped into the ocean in Atlantic Metropolis.
Proceeds for this occasion went in the direction of the Most cancers Assist Neighborhood New Jersey, in line with resortsac.com.
Comparable occasions befell off the New Jersey coast in Brigantine and in Lengthy Department.
‘What I inform everybody, even when they’ve by no means gone in or intimidated by the considered it, is, put on your bathing go well with below your garments, since you’ll go in. You may get caught up within the vitality of the gang,’ Sean Clifford instructed NJ.com.
He is been swimming on New 12 months’s Day for the final 21 years.
‘It is exhilarating as a result of everyone seems to be screaming and hitting the water on the identical time,’ Clifford added. It is a complete rush.’
Boston and Pittsburgh additionally held native polar plunge occasions on the primary day of 2023.
