More than $130,000 was raised by the some 6,000 swimmers who took part in the Coney Island Polar Bear Club’s 2024 New Year’s Day Plunge.
Photo by Erica Price
The Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Plunge broke all previous records for attendance and fundraising on Jan. 1 after 6,000 brave New Yorkers stormed the beaches, raising $136,000 to support local non-profit organizations.
Relatively mild weather brought more than 40,000 spectators to Coney Island, cheering on friends and family, as Fogo Azul, a New York City drum line, escorted the plungers from the boardwalk to the shore for their fresh start to 2024.
“The Coney Island Polar Bear Club raised approximately $136,000 to support local non-profit organizations, a record amount. We thank all of our supporters, all of our members, all of our safety teams, and lastly the participants from NYC and across the globe for making the 2024 Plunge a huge success,” Dennis Thomas, president of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, told Brooklyn Paper.
First-time plunger Diana Vasic from Queens decided to brave the cold of the Atlantic Ocean following some encouragement from her more seasoned brother, Ivan, who now has three plunges under his belt.
“I thought the water was amazing, I had to go in a second time,” she said, vowing to take part every year going forward. “Just take the plunge. Life is short. You’re never promised tomorrow, just enjoy life.”
Another member of the first-timer’s club planning to return next year was Josh North from Brooklyn, who made the day-of decision to wash away the cobwebs of 2023, finding the water “brisk and invigorating.”
“It was a really good time. Everyone was in good spirits having a good time just enjoying themselves and no one seemed to be too cold or struggling with it. I definitely think it’s going to be a new tradition,” said North.
The record number of swimmers also included plenty of plunge veterans, famous faces…
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