Feeling your feet is so 2017. Dozens of people ran into the 23-degree water of the Chesapeake Bay at the Polar Bear Plunge in North Beach, Maryland, on Monday. No, seriously. See photos.
NORTH BEACH, Md. — Despite bitter cold, some people in our area welcomed the new year by peeling off most of their clothes and dunking themselves in the Chesapeake Bay.
See video:
The annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge in this Southern Maryland town drew brave and crazy plungers, as well as a crowd of bundled-up spectators.
Before the big event, there was ice on the beach where the water met the sand, and town leaders announced that the water temperature was a frigid 23 degrees. The air temperature was also in the 20s.
But after a 15-second countdown, dozens of people — most of them in swimsuits — ran into the water. Some took a few steps in and got right out, while others dove under the water and got completely wet.
Every New Year’s Day, the town of North Beach, Maryland, hosts a Polar Bear Plunge into the Chesapeake Bay.
(WTOP/Michelle Basch)
WTOP/Michelle Basch
Ice lines the beach ahead of the North Beach Polar Bear Plunge.
(WTOP/Michelle Basch)
WTOP/Michelle Basch
These girls exposed their bare feet to the chilly air well before plunge time.
(WTOP/Michelle Basch)
WTOP/Michelle Basch
This guy in shorts appeared to be doing some stretching before taking the plunge.
(WTOP/Michelle Basch)
WTOP/Michelle Basch
Many plungers brought blankets to bundle themselves in pre- and post-dunk.
(WTOP/Michelle Basch)
WTOP/Michelle Basch
These two chose towels instead of blankets to stave off the cold, but based on his expression, the cold appeared to be winning.
(WTOP/Michelle Bash)
WTOP/Michelle Bash
The man in the foreground said he’s plunged for 6 years straight in what he calls his “penguin suit,” which is like a onesie for grown-ups.
(WTOP/Michelle Basch)
WTOP/Michelle Basch
After the plunge, some people gathered to toast marshmallows and warm up at a fire pit on the beach.
(WTOP/Michelle Basch)