Taking the New Year's Day plunge

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Taking the New Year's Day plunge

Thousands across the globe take part in a New Year's Day tradition - known as the Polar Bear swim - of swimming in frigid waters on Jan. 1, 2014.

A first wave of swimmers jump into frigid waters at Coney Island beach in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 1 2014, as they take part in the 111th Annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Swimmers jump into frigid waters at Coney Island beach in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 1 2014, as they take part in the 111th Annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Waupaca Chain O' Lakes Polar Bear Plunge at Becker Marine on Lime Kiln Lake in Waupaca, Wis., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 (AP Photo/The Post Crescent, Wm. Glasheen)

Polar bear plungers Mike Kuharik of Smithville, left, Kira Dougherty of Galloway, and Sven Peltonen of Brigantine, get ready to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean at 12th Street in Brigantine, N.J., Wednesday Jan 1, 2014. Brigantine held it's annual New Year's Day polar bear plunge to start off the new year with hundreds of participants taking part in the event by running into the icy Atlantic Ocean to kick off 2014. (AP Photo/Press of Atlantic City, Dale Gerhard)

Waupaca Chain O' Lakes Polar Bear Plunge at Becker Marine on Lime Kiln Lake in Waupaca, Wis., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 (AP Photo/The Post Crescent, Wm. Glasheen)

Thrill seekers make their way back to land after taking the plunge in the cold water during the 5th Annual Pine Creek Polar Bear Plunge in Valley View Park in Valley View, Pa., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. The event is a benefit for the Pine Creek Trout Nursery. Pine Creek Trout Nursery is a cooperative of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and the Valley View Gun Club. Each year, the nursery gets approximately 6,500 fish that are grown at the nursery and then used for a fishing rodeo and stocking local creeks. (AP Photo/The Republican-Herald, Jacqueline Dormer)

Swimmers, some in unusual costume, swim in the frigid waters at Coney Island beach in New York Wednesday, Jan. 1 2014, as they take part in the 111th Annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Girls react to the frigid waters of Pontiac Bay during the 12th Annual Polar Bear Plunge Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, at Matthews Beach Park in Seattle, Wash. About 300 people participated in the first Polar Bear Plunge in 2003; since then, attendance has nearly reached 1,000 attendees. (AP Photo/seattlepi.com, Jordan Stead)

A girl pleads to go back to shore after entering Lake Washington during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge in Seattle, Washington January 1, 2014. Hundreds participated in the chilly New Year's Day tradition, organized by Seattle Parks and Recreation and held at Matthews Beach. REUTERS/David Ryder

Participants cheer before entering Lake Washington during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge in Seattle, Washington January 1, 2014. Hundreds participated in the chilly New Year's Day tradition, organized by Seattle Parks and Recreation and held at Matthews Beach. REUTERS/David Ryder

People play volleyball in Lake Washington during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge in Seattle, Washington January 1, 2014. Hundreds participated in the chilly New Year's Day tradition, organized by Seattle Parks and Recreation and held at Matthews Beach. REUTERS/David Ryder

Spectators, including a dog on a boogie board, are pictured on Lake Washington before the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge in Seattle, Washington January 1, 2014. Hundreds participated in the chilly New Year's Day tradition, organized by Seattle Parks and Recreation and held at Matthews Beach. REUTERS/David Ryder

A woman reacts after entering Lake Washington during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge in Seattle, Washington January 1, 2014. Hundreds participated in the chilly New Year's Day tradition, organized by Seattle Parks and Recreation and held at Matthews Beach. REUTERS/David Ryder

Participants react after entering Lake Washington during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge in Seattle, Washington January 1, 2014. Hundreds participated in the chilly New Year's Day tradition, organized by Seattle Parks and Recreation and held at Matthews Beach. REUTERS/David Ryder

Participants run into Lake Washington during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge in Seattle, Washington January 1, 2014. Hundreds participated in the chilly New Year's Day tradition, organized by Seattle Parks and Recreation and held at Matthews Beach. REUTERS/David Ryder

A man reacts after entering Lake Washington during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge in Seattle, Washington January 1, 2014. Hundreds participated in the chilly New Year's Day tradition, organized by Seattle Parks and Recreation and held at Matthews Beach. REUTERS/David Ryder

Participants prepare to enter Lake Washington during the 12th Annual Polar Bear Plunge in Seattle, Washington January 1, 2014. Hundreds participated in the chilly New Years Day tradition, organized by Seattle Parks and Recreation and held at Matthews Beach. REUTERS/David Ryder

(L-R) Kathy Ringo, Beth Hartman, and B.T. Eberhart are pictured before entering Lake Washington during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge in Seattle, Washington January 1, 2014. Hundreds participated in the chilly New Year's Day tradition, organized by Seattle Parks and Recreation and held at Matthews Beach. REUTERS/David Ryder

Ryan Paul, 14, hurries to get out of the water after jumping into Lake Lanier with friends and family to bring in the New Year. About 140 people braved the cold to plunge into Lake Lanier for the 17th Annual Polar Bear Swim. The annual event supports an Olympic legacy program for local youth and the Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Jumpers wait their turn to plunge into Lake Lanier to bring in the New Year. About 140 people braved the cold to plunge into Lake Lanier for the 17th Annual Polar Bear Swim. The annual event supports an Olympic legacy program for local youth and the Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Sisters Maryjane Lee and Elaine Lee swim to the dock after jumping into Lake Lanier to bring in the New Year. About 140 people braved the cold to plunge into Lake Lanier for the 17th Annual Polar Bear Swim. The annual event supports an Olympic legacy program for local youth and the Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

A hot tub awaited those who were brave enough to jump into Lake Lanier to bring in the New Year. About 140 people braved the cold to plunge into Lake Lanier for the 17th Annual Polar Bear Swim. The annual event supports an Olympic legacy program for local youth and the Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Jumpers wait their turn to plunge into Lake Lanier to bring in the New Year. About 140 people braved the cold to plunge into Lake Lanier for the 17th Annual Polar Bear Swim. The annual event supports an Olympic legacy program for local youth and the Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

About 140 people braved the cold to plunge into Lake Lanier for the 17th Annual Polar Bear Swim. The annual event supports an Olympic legacy program for local youth and the Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club. BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Left to right. Madison Savage, Katie Brown, Anne Agnew and Emily McCoun plunge into Lake Lanier to bring in the New Year. About 140 people braved the cold to plunge into Lake Lanier for the 17th Annual Polar Bear Swim. The annual event supports an Olympic legacy program for local youth and the Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club. CANOE KAYAK CLUB POLAR BEAR SWIM BRANT SANDERLIN /BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

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A first wave of swimmers jump into frigid waters at Coney Island beach in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 1 2014, as they take part in the 111th Annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

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