9 hilarious images of people taking the polar bear plunge

In Coney Island, N.Y., people screamed at the shock of the cold water — (Image credit: REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)

For those of us in colder, northern climates, the time for slipping on our bathing suits and hitting the beach is still far, far away. But for those brave/crazy members of the unique sporting club of Polar Bear Swimmers, January is as good a time as any to play in the surf. This bizarrely endearing event, in which the scantily-clad plunge almost joyously into frigid waters across the northern hemisphere, is often played out on January 1 as a way to start the new year fresh. Here, a look at some of the nuttier participants of this year's annual polar bear plunge, from New York to Scotland.

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Lauren Hansen produces The Weekâ€™s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.