I was in NYC for the week, so I took the time to stop by the Coney Island Polar Bear Club for their weekly swim.

I wasn’t sure what to expect – it was the middle of winter and it snowed earlier in the week. Luckily, Sunday was a nice clear day, air temp was in the 40ºF’s or maybe even up to 50ºF, no wind. The water temp was a frigid 42.3ºF.

The Polar Bears were extremely warm and welcoming. Multiple people made sure I’d been prepped with the “schpiel”: what it would be like to be in water well below 45ºF.

When it came time to actually get in the water…..they don’t actually swim. They do what we in the South End call marinating. They make a big circle on the beach, do a quick chant, wade in, splash around, chit chat, dunk here and there, but there’s not much actual swimming (which was great).

I’m glad I went! Would definitely recommend it to any marinators or snivelers out there.