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Start the New Year with a splash with Polar Bear Plunge Day on Jan. 1! This fun tradition has been around since the early 1900s, when brave people would take a dip in the freezing cold water on the first day of the year to bring luck and good fortune in the upcoming year. This tradition is still going strong today and is celebrated all over the world. Whether you choose to brave the plunge or watch from the sidelines, it's a great way to start off the year with a sense of adventure and excitement. So grab your friends and family and join in on the fun!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1904</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Polar Bear Plunge in U.S</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Boston Sea Rovers participated in the first reported Polar Bear Plunge in the United States, though the date of their first plunge is disputed.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1920</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Canada's Club Origin</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Polar Bear Club in Canada was formed, becoming one of the earliest known clubs to engage in the annual plunge practice.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1965</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Beginning of Polar Bear Plunge for Charity</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Maryland State Police begin the "Polar Bear Plunge", an annual event to raise money for Special Olympics Maryland, a notable turning point where the plunge becomes associated with fundraising.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1998</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Guinness Record by Netherlands</div><div class='timeline-text'>Netherlands set the Guinness World Record for 'largest polar bear swim' with 10,000 participants, adding further worldwide attention to the event.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Minnesota's Record Participation</div><div class='timeline-text'>Minnesota had over 15,000 plungers participate in Polar Bear Plunge events across the state, raising about $3.2 million for Special Olympics Minnesota.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go for a polar bear swim</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a dip in a cold body of water and feel the exhilaration of a cold plunge. Check with your local recreation center or beach to make sure it is safe to enter the water.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a polar bear plunge contest</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Challenge your friends to see who can stay in the coldest water the longest. If you are feeling brave, you can even make it a competition with prizes.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Dress up as polar bears</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and dress up in white fur coats and hats to look like you jumped right out of an arctic landscape. To add to the fun, create a series of challenges for participants to complete such as fishing for ice cubes with tongs or do a snowball fight.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go sledding</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Grab your sleds and hit the slopes! Fly down the hill and feel the chilly breeze as you take on the winter wonderland. Don't forget your hot cocoa when you're done.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch polar bear documentaries</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Grab some popcorn and settle in for a night of watching documentaries about polar bears and their environment. Learn about their habitat, behavior, and conservation efforts.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's an adrenaline rush</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Taking the plunge and jumping into icy cold water can be a thrilling experience for some people. The sudden shock of cold adrenaline is hard to describe, but it's something that everyone should try at least once!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's for a good cause</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Most polar bear plunges are held to raise money for charity or other causes. This is a great way to make a difference in someone else's life while also having a fun time - you can't beat that!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Taking part in a polar bear plunge can be a great way to bond with friends. Everyone experiences the same thrill and afterwards you get to talk about your experience - it's an event that almost anyone can appreciate!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Polar Bear Plunge Day Traditionally Happens on New Year's Day</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many people around the world start their new year off with a jump into icy cold waters, officially known as the Polar Bear Plunge.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Event Frequently Raises Funds for Charity</h3><p class='facts-content'>In many locations, participants raise money through sponsors, with proceeds going to different local charities.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Tradition Originated in Canada in the 1920s</h3><p class='facts-content'>The first recorded Polar Bear Plunge took place at Vancouver’s English Bay in 1920, and was organized by The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Polar Bear Plunges Happen All Around the World</h3><p class='facts-content'>From the United States and Canada, to Netherlands and China, brave participants dive into cold waters as part of this global tradition.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Some Say the Plunge Has Health Benefits</h3><p class='facts-content'>Enthusiasts claim that the plunge into cold water can boost mood, increase circulation and metabolic rate, and improve immune system functions.</p></div></div>
Polar Bear Plunge Day is celebrated on January 1 every year. In 2024, Polar Bear Plunge Day will occur on a Monday.
2023
Jan 1
Sunday
2024
Jan 1
Monday
2025
Jan 1
Wednesday
2026
Jan 1
Thursday
2027
Jan 1
Friday
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