Polar Bear Dip Won't Be Stopped By Brutal Cold, Organizers Vow

BROOKLYN, NY — The extreme cold expected for New Year's Day won't keep Coney Island's Polar Bears out of the water. Organizers of the group's annual public swim said they still plan to jump into the ocean despite the temperatures.

The below freezing cold expected for Monday— with highs predicted to climb only to 18 degrees — forced some plunges in New Jersey to be canceled, but Coney Island's Polar Bear Club said a little cold won't stop them.

"We’ve never cancelled a swim because of the weather and we’re going to go ahead with it," said Dennis Thomas, president of the club. "Whatever winter brings, we’re going to face that on the beach."

Polar Bear Clubs around the country take to the ocean every year on New Year's Day, usually raising money for charities. About 2,500 people plunge in at Coney Island and the group donates money to local community groups.

However, the city's expected to have the coldest New Year's Eve since the 1960s on Sunday and Monday isn't looking much better with possible sub-zero wind chills. Ocean City, Ventor City and Brigantine in New Jersey decided to cancel their swims because of the cold, with some rescheduling them until later in January.

Coney Island's Polar Bear Club, which has hosted the swim for 114 years, wasn't phased by the weather forecast with Thomas adding they took the necessary safety precautions to ensure it can go on.

"For all the people in New Jersey that are disappointed, I would suggest they get in the car and come out to Coney Island and swim with us," said Thomas.

He thinks the cold weather will keep about half the people who usually come at home. For the brave – or crazy – ones who will face the extreme cold, Thomas suggested they wear shoes with insulation and quickly bundle up once they get out of the water.

Thomas, of Greenpoint, joined the club more than 30 years ago after randomly seeing them take one of their weekly plunges one day in Coney Island. He kept coming back because he said it's one of the only things that helps clear his head.

"People carry around a lot of stress living in New York City," he said. "Once you go into this water all that stuff goes away."

Image: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images