Thousands of New Yorkers will jump into the freezing Atlantic to kick off 2024 at the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge. The event is ran by the oldest winter bathing club in the United States, Coney Island Polar Bear Club. This year will mark its 121st anniversary!
Last year’s plunge brought around 4,000 New Yorkers to Coney Island shores. It’s entirely free to participate, however, registration can be done on their website. Donations are accepted upon registration and benefit local non-profits such as the Alliance for Coney Island, Coney Island History Project, Coney Island USA, Coney Island YMCA, New York Aquarium and more.
“It’s been going on as long as anybody knows and it used to be just kind of an informal gathering of the Polar Bear Club itself. Then more people from the public,” says Thomas, a Bears member since the 70s. “When I first started, if there were a hundred people there, we’d say, wow, this was huge. It’s a bucket list thing. People want to do it once in their life and New Year’s Day is a great day to do that.”
The 2024 plunge on January 1st will begin at 11am and last through 2pm. Yet, celebrations on the boardwalk will kick off an hour before the freezing dip at 10am.
Participants are encouraged to wear what they please, be it a bathing suit or costume. It’s important to pack a towel, spare clothes, and whatever else you might need following the plunge. Changing facilities will be set up on the Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue.