POLAR BEAR CLUBBING 2010!!!

No, we are not beating an endangered species (HA!) . But we are doing something cruel and unusual to our own bodies -- plunging ourselves into the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island along with hundreds of others on New Years Day, 2010. YEAH, BABY!!!

SWIMMERS WELCOME! VOYEURS WELCOME! 

OK, SURELY YOU JEST.

No I don't! And don't call me Shirley! The annual polar bear swim is a world famous event organized by Brooklyn's Coney Island Polar Bear Club (http://www.polarbearclub.org) . Each year, they attracts hundreds of swimmers and spectators for one of the biggest winter beach parties imaginable. This will be the fifth year we are sending a JOC contingent to join the mayhem. If you love challenges (or you just want a good laugh), come meet us there! Afterwards, we'll go out hot drinks and some lunch (well decide later on the location). FUN FUN FUN!!!

We should get anywhere from 25 -50 psycho JOCers for this event. With a little luck, we'll be on TV!

SURE, WHY THE HECK NOT! WHAT ARE THE DETAILS?

We will be meeting on Friday, January 1, 2010 at 12:00 pm at the Coney Island beach in Brooklyn in front of the Wonder Wheel Ferris wheel on the boardwalk. The polar bear plunge officially begins at 1:00, but we are meeting earlier so that we can go as a group to the water.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Its easy. Just take the subway to the Coney Island Stillwell Ave stop, and when you leave the subway walk towards the beach (in the direction of the Nathans Famous restaurant, 1310 Surf Ave , Brooklyn , NY 11224). Look straight up Stillwell Ave and you will see the boardwalk, and as you walk along it, you’ll see the wheel. Its a short walk so don’t worry. If youre on the Upper West Side you can take the C train at 96th, transfer to the D train at 59th and then take this to the last stop at Coney Island Stillwell Ave.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

If you would like to swim, you’ll need to bring lots of warm clothing, a towel, a hat, water shoes, and waterproof bags to store your wet gear. Youll also want to bring some money so you can join us all for hot drinks afterwards. Please note: the sand is going to be cold so be sure to bring water shoes or your feet will freeze.

WHERE CAN I CHANGE?

There are changing rooms and restrooms at the beach.

WHAT'S THE COST

As we like to say, IT'S FREE TO FREEZE, BABY!

WHAT IF I DIE OF PNEUMONIA?

We have no money, so a lawsuit is pointless.

Ok, seriously, it's a common myth that you can get sick from being cold. According to the American Lung Association, the flu and colds are only more common in the winter months because that is when the viruses spread across the country. Additionally, the event will have numerous life guards, and we will only be swimming for a few minutes (some people run into the water and run right out) so there is very little risk of hypothermia. In fact, the Coney Island Polar Bear Club cannot recall a single case of anyone ever developing hypothermia, and people have been taking the plunge at Coney Island for over a hundred years.
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35869

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

To sign up, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  with the following information

a) What’s your name?

b) What’s your cell phone number?

c) How are you planning to get to the boardwalk (car, train, foot, etc.), and what area/neighborhood will you be leaving from?

d) Well send out our phone numbers and additional information once you sign up so that we can coordinate transportation.

Spread the word, and Happy dunking!!

Alon Krausz