Coney Island Polar Bear Club
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The Coney Island Polar Bear Club is the oldest winter bathing organization in the United States. [1] The club was founded by famed health advocate Bernarr McFadden in 1903. [2] Members swim in the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island every Sunday from October through April.
Every New Year's Day, the Club is joined by participants from around the country - although most hark from New York - who partake in an annual swim. The 2005 event had 300 participants and 6000 onlookers. [1] The Chief Polar Bear blows a conch shell to gather the swimmers before they run into the water. [1]
The club began using the event to raise funds for Special Olympics starting in 2005, [3] and Camp Sunshine in 2007. [4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c [1] Nick Kaye "Polar Bear Club Swims: New Year Parties (Don't Hold the Ice)", December 23, 2005 New York Times
- ^ [2] Cynthia Blair "1903: Coney Island Polar Bear Club Founded", Newsday
- ^ Special Olympics New York partners with Coney Island Polar Bears
- ^ "Coney Island club prefers chilly start to new year", January 2, 2007, USA Today, Retrieved January 2, 2007
