Coney Island Polar Bear Club

The Coney Island Polar Bear Club is the oldest winter bathing organization in the United States, whose members regularly take polar bear plunges in the winters. The club was founded by famed health advocate Bernarr McFadden in 1903. The club began using the event to raise funds for Special Olympics starting in 2005, and Camp Sunshine in 2007. Members swim in the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island, New York, United States every Sunday from November through April. Every New Year's Day, the Club is joined by participants from around the country, who partake in an annual swim. The Chief Polar Bear blows a conch shell to gather the swimmers before they run into the water. [Wiki]