Coney Island Swimmers Start Winter Plunge Season Early
Weekly Sunday plunges at the 1903 Coney Island Polar Bear Club run from November through April.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Swimming
A group of cold-water swimmers held an unofficial first polar bear plunge of the season at Coney Island on Sunday, November 1, nearly two months ahead of the annual New Year's Day plunge. The dip is a regular winter ritual for New Yorkers who want an early start on cold-water swimming.
Why it matters
For New York City readers who follow the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, the early plunge signals that the weekly winter swim schedule is underway. The club's long tradition offers a visible, low-cost way for residents to take part in outdoor winter activity.
This is a descriptive account of a single unofficial plunge, with a recorded Brooklyn high of 60 degrees and a reported immersion of about five minutes. The report does not include participant counts or water temperature.
The players
Coney Island Polar Bear Club
The oldest winter bathing club in the United States, founded in 1903, which hosts weekly Sunday plunges and an annual New Year's Day plunge.
The details
Swimmers entered the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island during a brisk breeze, a common feature of the winter plunge setting. Participants stayed in the water for about five minutes after the initial shock of the cold. The plunge is the club's unofficial kickoff to a season of weekly Sunday dips that run from November through April.
Timeline
1903: The Coney Island Polar Bear Club was founded.
November 1, 2026: The unofficial first plunge of the season took place.
November through April: The club holds weekly Sunday plunges.
January 1: The club hosts its annual public New Year's Day plunge.
Health Landscape
The Coney Island Polar Bear Club, founded in 1903, is the oldest winter bathing club in the United States and has kept its weekly Sunday plunge tradition for more than a century. This early-season dip places the club's long-running winter bathing routine within a broader New York City interest in cold-water swimming.
Cold-water swimming draws attention to how the body responds to sudden cold, so anyone considering a winter dip should talk with their doctor first, especially if they have heart or circulatory conditions. Starting with short exposures and staying aware of how you feel is a sensible way to approach a cold-water tradition like this one.
The takeaway
The Coney Island Polar Bear Club's weekly Sunday plunges run from November through April, offering a long-standing winter swim option for New Yorkers. Anyone thinking about cold-water swimming should check with a physician beforehand, particularly if they have heart or circulatory concerns.
What happens next
The club's weekly Sunday plunges run through April, and its annual public New Year's Day plunge takes place on January 1.
Further reading
For more on local aquatic activity, explore Swimming coverage across New York City.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brooklyn Paper.
