Chicago - New Years Day 2011 - Very Unofficial Polar Bear Beach Party

[mrbaracus]

OMG @1:49 3:00

[lgttb1]

i've swam long distance for 36 years at oak st and north ave along with many other chicago beaches and say to say the police are writing tickets for anyone swimming when guards are not on duty ! i swim year round long distance in the lake even on the coldest of winter days with a 3mm wet suit which works well for a mile or more even when it below zero. its nice to know there is no crime in the city so they need to ticket and arrest people enjoying the lake .

looks us up on openwaterchicago

[chiladin]

A group of ignorant white folks and an indian who wants to be white.lol.This is funny!

[geraldinecazales]

paisa

[YeLittleRocket]

OMG they must be FFRREZZZIINNGG im cold even looking at them hahaa Id love to do that

[toothinky]

Great video! After doing this plunge 6 yrs, I FINALLY got my boyfriend to do it with me this year, but for some reason my tripod/camera didn't record, so I don't have it on video. Then I watched your clip and saw us in your video!!...I was so excited! unfortunately we're still on shore-it was right B4 we jumped in. you wouldn't by chance have been filming for about 5 mins after your clip here ended were you?? that would blow my mind if you accidentally got our plunge-I'd be ETERNALLY grateful

[dogstar7]

@toothinky Glad you came out and enjoyed yourself. Sorry to hear about your camera trouble. The weather was brutal and unforgiving on electronics. Unfortunately, to avoid meeting the same failure, I didn't shoot any more than what you see. Better luck next year.

[toothinky]

@dogstar7 Oh Rats. Thanks so much for responding - I hadda give it a shot. See you all next year!

[ravenseek]

@dogstar7 Thanks for posting! You shot me standing next to toothinky's tripod. I only have video of all 3 of us in Toothinky's car after we dived in. Oh the memories of a Bloody Mary Breakfast!

[dogstar7]

This was not the official Polar Bear Plunge for charity event.

[ravenseek]

Long before there was an official charity event there has been a long standing tradition to Plunge in New Year's Day at North Ave Beach and The Point off 57th and LSD. Again thanks for posting.

[ddshears]

wow...we did this on the north oregon coast and it was freaking cold today but i think it looks much gnarlier in Chicago.... The water looks kind of murkey...

[2000everett4]

For those who actually submerged themselves under the water. A thumbs up.