Just chillin’: Thousands take the plunge to celebrate

The Polar Bear Plunge sees participants diving into the icy cold water, sometimes for charity or mostly as a challenge

The Polar Bear Plunge, an annual winter event held in the US and Canada at the beginning of the new year, witnesses participants diving into the icy cold water, sometimes for charity or mostly as a challenge.

A participant celebrates New Year’s Day in Vancouver, Canada | Photos: REUTERS and AFP

Holding her pretty inflatable duck, a woman is all smiles while embracing the freezing water on the Coney Islands, USA

A glammed-up trio holds hands, chit-chatting and posing for the cameras as they stand in icy, cold waters

A woman attends the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day plunge dressed as the Statue of Liberty

Participants run into the chilly waters of English Bay

A participant wearing shark headgear exits the chilly waters of English Bay

4,000 swimmers participated in the 121st annual Polar Bear Plunge on Coney Island, USA