Taking a dip into icy-cold water in January may sound like an unpleasant time, but thousands of people bared the cold Chesapeake Bay waters for a good cause. See photos.
Thousands plunge into Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, to raise money for Special Olympics Maryland. (草莓传媒/Liz Anderson)
草莓传媒/Liz Anderson
Polar Bear Plunge participants wear costumes as they take a dip into Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019. (草莓传媒/Liz Anderson)
草莓传媒/Liz Anderson
Participants write why they are participating in the Polar Bear Plunge at the Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019. (草莓传媒/Liz Anderson)
草莓传媒/Liz Anderson
An inflatable polar bear decorates the Polar Bear Plunge at the Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019. (草莓传媒/Liz Anderson)
草莓传媒/Liz Anderson
A group of Polar Bear Plunge participants wear matching shirts. (草莓传媒/Liz Anderson)
草莓传媒/Liz Anderson
Polar Bear Plunge participants wear costumes as they take a dip into Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019. (草莓传媒/Liz Anderson)
草莓传媒/Liz Anderson
Thousands plunge into Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, to raise money for Special Olympics Maryland. (草莓传媒/Liz Anderson)
草莓传媒/Liz Anderson
A participant pays homage to a comic book character during the Polar Bear Plunge at the Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019. (草莓传媒/Liz Anderson)
ANNAPOLIS, Md. 鈥� Thousands gathered along the shores of Sandy Point State Park for a yearly fundraising tradition 鈥� a plunge in the winter waters of Chesapeake Bay to benefit Special Olympics Maryland.
This year鈥檚 fundraising goal is $1.15 million.
The Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge spanned Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and it included several categories, including plunges for kids and families, police, schools and even a dip for Baltimore Ravens fans.
Countdown to the plunge!
鈥� Liz Anderson (@PlanetNoun)
Some folks donned everyday swimming trunks while others were dressed to the nines in clownfish and shark costumes, tutus and grass skirts.
Those who stormed the frigid waters did so for different reasons.
It was Caitlin Pattanashetti鈥檚 ninth year. She took part to remember a friend who she used to plunge with when she was younger. 鈥淗e passed away when I was in ninth grade, so I鈥檓 trying to keep the memory alive.鈥�
Some shivered while exiting the water, but for others it was just another day.
鈥淚鈥檓 a commercial diver,鈥� said John Dubiel, of Baltimore. 鈥淚 work in this kind of stuff. Once I get out there and everything goes numb, it鈥檚 all good. This is my 11th-consecutive plunge. It鈥檚 a great cause. And, it鈥檚 a lot of fun.鈥�
