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Polar Plunge!
Why do thousands of people run into icy cold waters on New Year’s Day?
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images
By the Numbers
1903
This was the year the first New Year’s Day Plunge took place in Coney Island, New York.
4,000
That’s how many people took Coney Island’s New Year’s Day Plunge in 2025.
44˚F
This is the average water temperature at Coney Island in January.
Why people do it:
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A. To raise money for local libraries and museums
B. To celebrate a fresh start in a New Year
C. To do something challenging and fun with friends
Is an icy plunge good for you?
Some experts say it can boost your mood or help with muscle aches.
Others warn it could be harmful if done too often, for too long, or alone.
Going Global
Over the years, polar plunge events have spread around the world. One of the biggest happens on January 1 in the Netherlands. (About 10,000 people take part!)
Write about it: Would you participate in a polar plunge event? Why or why not? Use details from the infographic to write a paragraph about your decision.
