Coney Island Polar Bear Swim on New Year’s Day

The Coney Island Polar Bear Swim is a great way to bring in the New Year.  Join thousands of other crazy revelers as we run into the Atlantic Ocean.  Brief, acute cold exposure is one of those positive stressors that will help you stay warm through the winter — plus, it's a miracle hang-over cure.

– Here is the official site, no sign-up required: http://www.polarbearclub.org.  The swim starts promptly at 1pm.  There is no cost, but you have to sign a waiver, and you're encouraged to make a donation of any size to a charity called Camp Sunshine.  (I think I gave $10 last year.)

– Meet at 10:45am at the Au Bon Pain on the east side of Union Square. We will leave promptly at 11:00am.

– If you would like to meet us out at Coney Island, then we will shoot for 12pm on the boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue, near the tables with the waivers. Call me [masked]). Expect a little mayhem.

– The subway stop is “Coney Island / Stillwell Ave” on the D, F, N, or Q.  Watch for delays on New Year's.  We will be taking the Q from Union Square.

– BRING WARM CLOTHES, SURF BOOTS OR OLD SNEAKERS,TOWELS AND DEFINITELY BRING YOUR CAMERA. The NYC Parks Department provides changing facilities on the Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue.  We will take turns watching our possessions on the beach as people go in.

– AFTER: If there's interest, I may get a group together to visit one the Russian Baths afterwards near Brighton Beach.  Admission is usually around $30 and they have a number of saunas, steam rooms, cold pools, and an authentic Russian Banya experience.  People usually to want to buy some food or a drink inside, so budget ~$50 for the full experience.

– Here are pictures.  People often wear costumes and hats and things — feel free to do so.