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The brave (and maybe crazy) welcome in 2018 at the Polar Bear Plunge

Michelle Basch | mbasch@wtop.com

January 1, 2018, 5:39 PM

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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
After the plunge, some people gathered to toast marshmallows and warm up at a fire pit on the beach. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
WTOP/Michelle Basch
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Every New Year’s Day, the town of North Beach, Maryland, hosts a Polar Bear Plunge into the Chesapeake Bay. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Ice lines the beach ahead of the North Beach Polar Bear Plunge. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
These girls exposed their bare feet to the chilly air well before plunge time. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
This guy in shorts appeared to be doing some stretching before taking the plunge. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Many plungers brought blankets to bundle themselves in pre- and post-dunk. (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)
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)
After the plunge, some people gathered to toast marshmallows and warm up at a fire pit on the beach. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Michelle Basch

Michelle Basch is a reporter turned morning anchor at WTOP News.

mbasch@wtop.com

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