NYC Clubs Hold New Year's Day Polar Plunge Events
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- For hundreds of people, ringing in the new year meant jumping into some frigid water.
With near freezing temperatures, the Coney Island beach was filled with swimsuits as residents took part in the New Year's Day Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge, WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported Wednesday.
Those who took part in the event, hosted by the Coney Island Polar Bears Club, described the water as shocking and numbing.
Coney Island Club holds New Year's Day Polar Plunge
"I feel freezing. I can't feel my legs!" one participant told Smith.
Despite the frigid water temperature, no one who took the plunge seemed sorry to do it, Smith reported.
"I feel alive -- with the cold weather, the cold water," another participant said.
Some called it a cleansing way to start off a new year. "Celebrate the New Year, scrub the old year off and feel very alive and awake."
Thousands of people also bundled up just to see the 2,500 bathers b-line for the water, CBS 2's Emily Smith reported.
The Coney Island Polar Bears Club wasn't the only group to get in on the winter action Wednesday.
The ICE Breakers Winter Ocean Swimmers also welcomed 2014 with a dip in the icy waters off Brighton Beach, 1010 WINS reported.
The Ice Breakers are a winter swim club and 2014 ushered in their 179th annual season.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:
