adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
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Skooter Junkie
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 1/11/2006 7:36:57 PM
I'm feeling really good right about now... it's Thursday, and the weather forecast for this Sunday is predicting a sunny day, high of 33 degrees. Clear and Cold... a perfect mix for swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.
As some of you all know, I took a dip on New Year's Day - a New York tradition that I'd always wanted to try, but had always been too afraid to attempt. I got hooked, and have since started my "initiation" into the Polar Bear Club, the official CI winter bathing organization, and the oldest in the country (the group's been around since 1903). I officially signed up last Sunday, and thought I'd tell you about my off-season Coney Island antics.
For those of you who haven't been to Coney in the winter, it's truly a magical place - it's fascinating in its silence, and unlike any other place I've seen. That notorious hellraiser called the Cyclone sleeps peacefully, and the Wonder Wheel awaits spring's arrival, its cars removed and tucked away. Surf Avenue seems desolate, and the boardwalk is almost abandoned, outside of the Russians from Brighton Beach, hanging out together and conversing in their native tongue. It's surreal, and beautiful - it's easy to forget that you're in New York City, and downright weird to recall that you're in Coney at all, when you consider the area's summertime noise and hectic pace. The air is very cold, as it sweeps off of the Atlantic - clean and frigid.
But there's a funny crowd of people that gather there every Sunday at 1:00 - they obey the alert blown from a conch shell, and march together to the beach. Some in board shorts, some in bikinis, some in Speedos - they relish the cold wind on their bodies, and circle up for jumping jacks on the sand. After a chant or two, they rush together into the surf, shouting and cheering each other on. As bewildered onlookers watch from the beach, the bathers wade deeper into the water, until they are in up to their necks. Joy overtakes them, and they settle into high-fiving, war-whooping, singing, you name it. About ten minutes later, they've left the water, and are grinning from ear to ear, as the air and sun surround them, their skin tingling with aliveness. There is a distinct sense of friendship and camraderie, the kind of bond that's shared among people who do CRAZY things.
Last Sunday, I had a total blast with these folks - and Coney Island took on a completely new dimension for me. The enthusiasm of these people is infectious, and the rush that comes from taking the dip into that water is like coming off of the Cyclone... times ten. After the swim, and then a hot dog and beer at Nathan's with a handful of the Polar Bears, I felt like I'd spent an entire day at Coney in the summertime. I was exhausted, thrilled, amazed and completely satisfied - I almost felt reborn. Plus, I'd made some really cool new buddies.
Sorry if I've gone on forever, here, but I just had to tell you all how incredible this experience has been for me - and will surely continue to be. Coney Island has always been practically hallowed ground to me, and now it's actually become even better. If any of you guys have EVER considered doing the New Year swim, or just checking out the Polar Bears, I strongly recommend it. Really, it's just amazing.
Long live Coney Island.
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"Coney Island is the most human thing that God ever made... or permitted the devil to make." - Richard LeGallienne
Message updated 1/11/2006 7:38:41 PM by adriahna
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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 1/12/2006 11:36:10 AM
adriahna, thanks for the vivid account. i may have mentioned this to you, but i first heard of the polar bears through my uncle in albany, who described their antics in lake george, ny. there they cut holes in the lake ice, and hop on in, getting their cold-water-bathing-jammy-jam on that way. certainly an odd but respectable sub-culture!
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coaster count-----
steel- one million
wood- one billion
styrofoam- 11 and a half
polyester- negative twenty
Message updated 1/12/2006 11:39:11 AM by hrrytraver
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larrygator
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1/12/2006 12:17:33 PM
how much time did you actually spend in the water?
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
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Skooter Junkie
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1/12/2006 6:29:34 PM
Traver, I'd love to check out that group in Albany - the fact that they actually drill holes in the ice to bathe is pretty intense, to say the least.
Larry, the first time I went, I stayed in for about 10 minutes, in up to my waist. Last week, I stayed in for about five - but I was in up to my chin, a far more intense experience. I'm hoping to stay in a bit longer this Sunday, but we'll see.
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primogen18
Posts: 2983
Registered: 2/19/2001
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1/25/2006 12:10:29 PM
Thats awesome! I have a polar bear plunge coming up this weekend in Annapolis for the special Olympics. Ive done some in the past, nothing this big though.
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The Lado
Posts: 178
Registered: 5/24/2004
Rank: Bronze Critic
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1/25/2006 7:33:51 PM
Thats cool, in more then one way...I have yet to get out to Coney Island or do a plunge. I would like to do both eventually, esp. the plunge, just to say I did it.
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
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Skooter Junkie
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1/25/2006 9:35:28 PM
It can be seriously addictive, I'll tell you that much. You ought to give 'er a try, primogen - it's an experience, to say the least.
One of the best elements to the weekly dip is the people you meet - I've bumped into ex-Marines, tattoo artists, sideshow performers, a trapeze instructor, a retired homicide detective, and of course my good buddy Abe, who's currently training for a swim across the English Channel. Incredible people.
Let me say this, though - wow, I wasn't prepared for the vicious cold that came around two weeks ago - 17 degrees with the wind chill, 39 degrees in the water, and snow on the beach... that was BRUTAL. But yup - I can say that I did it...
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Cyclonic
Posts: 2636
Registered: 7/19/2002
Rank: Experiment 626
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1/25/2006 10:04:53 PM
With my computer being on the fritz for the last few weeks, sitting in the shop, waiting for a mother board, I have not had the chance to post these:
Yes, our intrepid Adrianna really did get wet:
I trust you don't mind my posting these.
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My Track Record
Penncoasters.com
 
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
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Skooter Junkie
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1/25/2006 10:10:21 PM
Sweeeet!!! Of course, nowadays I wear a skimpier bathing suit (to feel the cold better)... 
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primogen18
Posts: 2983
Registered: 2/19/2001
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1/26/2006 1:19:04 PM
ah, cool pics (no pun intended lol) sounds like a rush though. Ive been crazy and swam in the local water hole (river) where i had to clear the ice, it was fun and i actually never got sick lol. Not for too long but for a decent amount of time, once you get used to it lol, kinda fun. I havent done that in a while though so im a little rusty, but i hope to make this an at least once a year if not more thing, since its for good causes and is fun. Thanks for the info though.
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ThrodL
ThrodL on Myspace
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
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1/26/2006 3:53:33 PM
closest i've come to this is once in college i stripped to my birthday suit and dove into the city resevoir in early april. it was about 75 degrees in the air but i don't know what the water was. damn cold is what it was. it was bizarre and shocking like a shot of grain alcohol.
not to be crude, but i have never had my "goods" do an "about face" like they did that day.......
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
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Skooter Junkie
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1/26/2006 4:54:40 PM
Harry, there's a chant that the Polar Bears used to incorporate during the pre-swim jumping jacks:
"Shrinkage comes and shrinkage goes,
Monday morning no one knows!"
Ah, yes...
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primogen18
Posts: 2983
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1/30/2006 11:09:00 AM
hey, got back late last night from MD (stayed over night in Annapolis). The plunge was awesome, what a rush lol. We even stayed in the water a little swimming around and had a great time (its really wasnt that bad once you were in lol) Also saw ourselves on the news a couple times watching later that evening. Ive been looking for the vids online as well. Overall it was a great experience I hope to have again at least next year if not before. The park it was at was very nice, Sandy Point on the bay. I couldnt imagine being a super plunger, who started the day before the plunge and went in every hour for 24 hours. It wasnt that bad, but I dont know about during the night. There was an post-plunge party held at a place nearby, but we didnt attend. We just went, grabbed our complimentary lunch and sweatshirt, waited around for a bit for the plunge itself and left soon after like everyone else. Over 4000 people attended and raised over 1,000,000 for the special Olympics.
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
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Skooter Junkie
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1/30/2006 11:31:33 AM
Cool, primogen! It's truly an experience that you have to go through to understand - just amazing. And it's great that your group raised so much funding for the SO - just very cool. Well done, and welcome to the lunatic club!
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primogen18
Posts: 2983
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1/30/2006 6:12:44 PM
hehe, thanks, I plan on doing this every year now, and I get to proudly wear my polar bear sweatshirt to my morning classes tomorrow lol. It really is something you have to experience to understand. If having a blast and rasing money for a great cause is being a lunatic, I loved every frigid minute of it
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adriahna
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Registered: 6/4/2003
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Skooter Junkie
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2/7/2006 10:12:25 PM
The latest from Coney (we need you here, Horizons)...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paullydub/95990199/in/set-72057594059810235/
With six swims under my belt, I'm halfway along on my quest to become an official Coney Island Polar Bear. Yeah, they don't kid around...
Coolest thing was, this time around I got to meet up with hrrytraver, who was a total blast to hang out with at Nathan's. Cool dude - and a real asset to TPC. Had a great time. Here's to you, traver! :beer:
Message updated 2/7/2006 10:14:47 PM by adriahna
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
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2/12/2006 1:24:16 AM
likewise adriahna.
btw, fans of fried frog legs will not be disappointed at coney, because the famous nathan's serves two sizes of frog leg platters, amongst other interesting fare.
coney is great in the off season. it is relaxed and a little bit eerie with the hibernating midway snoring away just off the boardwalk. devotees of the cyclone will be happy to know that they're replacing a lot of the old wood on the cyclone's first fan turn.
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"In politics stupidity is not a handicap."
---napolean bonaparte
Message updated 2/12/2006 1:24:57 AM by hrrytraver
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Scott
Posts: 2766
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4/2/2006 5:11:46 PM
Hey adriahna. I am soooo a polar bear in the making. The hot water heater at my house is broken, so I take a freezing cold shower every morning!! It's very refreshing!
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
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Skooter Junkie
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4/2/2006 7:36:12 PM
Hey! Sounds good to me. I have to hand it to you - I've heard that wintertime cold showers are just as, if not moreso, intense than winter ocean bathing. Well done!!!
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