"Polar Plunge Tradition: Brave Swimmers Kick Off New Year in Chilly Waters Nationwide"

The annual Polar Bear Plunge saw New Year's Day swimmers in New York and Boston dive into icy waters, continuing a tradition over a century old. Thousands gathered at Coney Island and Boston Harbor, with some participants donning festive costumes and others embracing the event as a family tradition. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club, founded in 1903, and Boston's L Street Brownies both claim to be the oldest winter bathing clubs in the U.S. Proceeds from the events support local charities.