Into the Icy Water

It was a beautiful day at the beach. My friends and I zigzagged through crowds of people on the sand. Lifeguards blew their whistles. Everything seemed normal.

But this beach trip was definitely not normal. It was the first day of January. It was only 30 degrees outside. And I was about to swim in the frigid water!

It was a beautiful day at the beach. My friends and I ran through crowds of people on the sand. Lifeguards blew their whistles. Everything seemed normal.

But this beach trip was definitely not normal. It was the first day of January. It was only 30 degrees outside. And I was about to swim in the frigid water!

You might be wondering: Why would anyone want to jump into freezing-cold water? I was taking part in a New Year’s Day tradition! Every January 1, people take a plunge into icy water to welcome the new year. The event is called a polar bear plunge.

The first polar bear plunges took place about 120 years ago in Boston, Massachusetts, and Coney Island, New York. Today hundreds of these events happen across the country on January 1. 

For my plunge, I went to Coney Island. I was excited . . . and a little nervous! As I lined up on the sand with my friends, a band began to play drums. 

Some people wore funny costumes. I saw a guy dressed like a hot dog! Other people wore wet suits. That seemed like a good idea. I caught my friends’ eyes. We were only in bathing suits. Uh-oh!

But there was no turning back. It was time to take the plunge!

You might wonder why anyone would want to jump into cold water in the winter. I was joining a New Year’s Day tradition! Every January 1, people take a plunge into icy water to celebrate the new year. The event is called a polar bear plunge.

The first polar bear plunges took place about 120 years ago. They were in Boston, Massachusetts, and Coney Island, New York. Today hundreds of these events happen across the country on January 1. 

I went to Coney Island for my polar bear plunge. I was excited. I was a little nervous too! I lined up on the sand with my friends. A band began to play drums. 

Some people wore funny costumes. I saw a guy dressed like a hot dog! Other people wore wetsuits. Wetsuits keep you warm. That seemed like a good idea. I looked at my friends. We were only in bathing suits. Uh-oh!

But we couldn’t turn back. It was time for our polar bear plunge! 

We heard a loud whistle. Then we ran straight into the waves. The water was frigid. I felt like I was being poked with icicles.

But I splashed farther into the sea. I took a deep breath. Then I dove under a wave! 

“WOOOO!” I yelled as I jumped back into the air. My friends and I cheered. Then we raced out to put on warm, dry clothes. I was absolutely freezing. The cold water shocked my mind and body. But I was also exhilarated!  

At the sound of a loud whistle, we ran straight into the waves. I felt like I was being poked with icicles as soon as I touched the frigid water.

But I splashed farther into the sea. I took a deep breath . . . and then dove headfirst under a wave! 

“WOOOO!” I yelled as I jumped back into the air. My friends and I cheered as we raced out to put on warm, dry clothes. I was absolutely freezing. My mind and body were shocked by the cold. But I was also exhilarated! 

I felt excited about the new year after my polar bear plunge. I had a lot of energy! That’s why many people take part in this tradition. We think it will give us a fresh start for the year ahead. Other people think the cold water will wash away bad luck from last year.

Polar bear plunges can also be used to raise money to help people. Some polar bear plunges help kids who are sick. Others work to protect the environment.

Experts think that swimming in cold water could be good for both your health and your mood. Some people jump in cold water every day!

Will I be jumping into cold water every day? Probably not. But will I return to Coney Island next year for another polar bear plunge? Absolutely!  

After my plunge, I felt energized and excited about the new year. That’s why many people, like me, take part in this tradition. We think it will give us a fresh start for the year ahead. Others think the cold water will wash away bad luck from the previous year.

Polar bear plunges can also be used to raise money for organizations that help others. Some help kids who are sick or have disabilities. Others work to protect the environment.

And research suggests that swimming in cold water could be good for both your health and your mood. Some people take a plunge every day!

Will I be jumping into cold water every day? Probably not. But will I return to Coney Island next year for another polar bear plunge? Absolutely! 

In the Philippines, round objects are said to bring happiness in the new year. People eat circular foods (like donuts!) and wear polka dots for good luck. 

In the Philippines, round items are said to bring happiness in the new year. People eat round foods like donuts! They also wear polka dots for good luck. 

People in Turkey mark the new year by smashing pomegranates. When the fruit splits open on the ground, seeds splatter out. The more seeds that fly out of the fruit, the more luck you’ll have that year!

People in Turkey smash pomegranates for the new year. Seeds fly out when the fruit splits open on the ground. The more seeds that fly out of the fruit, the more luck you’ll have that year!

If you want to wish your friend in Denmark good luck, throw a plate at their front door. People there believe the more plates you find smashed at your door, the luckier your year will be!

It’s good luck to throw a plate at your friend’s front door in Denmark. The more plates you find smashed at your door, the luckier your year will be!

Here in the U.S., people in Texas and other Southern states eat black-eyed peas on January 1. These beans are believed to bring good luck!

People in Southern states in the U.S., like Texas, eat black-eyed peas on January 1 for good luck. 

Want to do something different next year? Try making a New Year’s resolution. It’s a tradition around the world! You could try a new activity or promise to read more stories. 

Want to do something different next year? Try making a New Year’s resolution. People around the world love to make resolutions! You could try a new activity or promise to read more books.