Swampscott New Year's Day Polar Plunge Returns For 2024

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A chilly annual tradition returns to Swampscott on New Year's Day.

The 18th annual Swampscott Yacht Club Polar Bear Plunge will take place on Monday at Fisherman's Beach. The event is expected to draw hundreds of hearty souls willing to hit the frigid waters for a good cause.

This year's beneficiary is The Andrew Keeter Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of the 2008 Swampscott High graduate who died in January at 32 years old. He was a member of the 2006 SHS cross country team that won the first state title in program history.

The scholarship will be awarded annually to an SHS senior who is a member of the cross country or track programs.

Registration begins at 10:15 a.m. on Monday with the plunge at 11 a.m. sharp.

Those participating — or who want to come down for the spectacle — are asked to bring a canned good to donate to the Anchor Food Pantry.

The first 100 participants who donate at least $25 will receive a free T-shirt.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)