winter swimming | Amusing the Zillion

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Video: First Plunge of Season for Coney Island Polar Bears

Posted in video, tagged Brooklyn, cold water swimming, Coney Island, Jim McDonnell, Polar Bear Club, winter swimming on November 10, 2011| Leave a Comment »

It’s Polar Bear Season in Coney Island! After the rides close in October, the beach is home to the exuberant members of the country’s oldest cold-water bathing club. At 1 pm every Sunday from November through April, the Bears and Cubs plunge into the chilly Atlantic. It’s fun to spectate and take photos from the shore.

Photographer Jim McDonnell, who has taken the New Year’s Day Plunge, made this short video of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club’s season opener on November 6th.

The Club’s increasingly popular New Year’s Day fundraiser for Camp Sunshine draws about 1000 who take the plunge and is open to the public. Aspiring members must participate in 12 swims during the season and be approved by the membership. “We have about 140 full-time members in the club,” Polar Bear President Dennis Thomas told ATZ in a previously posted interview. “At our weekly swims we have been averaging 80-90 swimmers.”

Visit the Coney Island Polar Bear Club website for info on joining a swim as a guest or becoming a member.

To attend, show up any Sunday between November and April at the New York Aquarium Education Hall, on the Boardwalk at West 8th Street by 12:30 pm. Bring your bathing suit (duh), a towel and surf boots or an extra pair of sneakers (you really need something to protect and insulate your feet.) and some warm clothes. We also recommend you bring a friend should you need assistance or want your picture taken on the beach. You will be assigned a “buddy” to swim with and must obey all safety precautions prescribed by the Club.

Photo of the Day: Greetings from Ruby’s Snow Mountain Resort!

Posted in Photo of the Day, tagged Coney Island snow, East Coast Images, Polar Bear Club, Ruby's Bar, winter swimming on January 7, 2011| 2 Comments »

Dano Sunbathing on Ruby's Snow Mountain. coney Island Boardwalk. January 1, 2011. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim in Coney Island is always a joyous occasion. We felt a bit subdued this year due to the ongoing demolitions and evictions, but seeing so many of our Coney Island friends at Ruby’s Bar on January 1st put the “happy” in “Happy New Year” for ATZ. Here’s our flickr slide show from the day.

In the above photo, our friend Dano, best known as the photographer behind the lens of East Coast Images, is seen sunbathing on Ruby’s snow mountain before taking the Plunge. With today’s predicted accumulation of 2 to 4 inches on top of the snow already on the Boardwalk, you may want to head out to the People’s Playground this weekend to frolic in the snow.

If you missed the New Year’s Plunge, keep in mind that members of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club swim in the Atlantic at 1 pm every Sunday from November through April. Visit the Bears’ website for info on joining them for a guest swim or simply spectating. It’s a great way to enjoy Coney Island’s ambiance during the winter season.

After the swim, drop by the Freak Bar at Coney Island USA for Sunday Brunch–“Bagels, coffee and characters”– at 2 pm with the Polar Bear Club. Bratva Bar and Restaurant on Surf at 12th also open for coffee, drinks and food at 2 pm. Live music starts at 3 pm.

Video: Today’s Snow Swim with Coney Island Polar Bears

Posted in Events, tagged Coney ISland Polar Bear Swim, Freezin for a Reason, New Years Swim, Snow Swim, winter swimming on December 26, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Are you ready for the Coney Island Polar Bear Club’s New Year’s Day plunge? Whether you plan to swim or spectate, this high-spirited vid of today’s snowy Sunday swim should put you in the mood. “Water temp 40 outside is 24. Coney expecting 13″ of snow – the bears go for a dip at the start of the snowstorm,” says Rubyshost, who is a Polar Bear and shot the video both in and out of the water.

The Coney Island Polar Bears swim at 1 pm every Sunday from November through April. The club has 140 regular members, but the New Year’s Day event attracts hundreds of first timers. Last year about 1,000 swimmers participated, said Polar Bear president Dennis Thomas. The world-famous event is a fundraiser to benefit Camp Sunshine. Participants are requested to raise a minimum of $100 in pledges. The 2010 swim raised over $23,000 for the retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses. To register for the 2011 New Year’s Day Plunge or sponsor a swimmer, visit www.freezinforareason.com.

Coney Island Polar Bear Club, New Year’s Day Plunge, January 1, 2011 at 1 pm. Riegelmann Boardwalk, Coney Island