Annual polar bear plunges splash winter in the face

 By 
Annie Colbert
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

While you slept off a confetti hangover, thousands of nutty people risked frostbite for polar bear plunges.

The annual events attract the brave and foolish who start the new year with a splash -- a really cold splash. On Jan. 1, people from France to New Jersey gathered on beaches to show winter weather who's boss by stripping down to bathing suits and diving into a body of icy water.

[seealso slug="new-years-eve-hangovers"]

Some people believe the eyeball-freezing swim tests resolve, others think it's the key to living a long life.

This 72 year old MT man said the fountain of youth is found by taking the CDA #PolarPlunge @KREM2 pic.twitter.com/yHoeI3YW5H

— Briana Bermensolo (@KREMBriana) January 1, 2015

And sometimes, after a particularly cold dip, you just need help from the Joker. (Although, the Penguin seems more appropriate.)

Awesome #PolarPlunge #Pittsburgh RT @Gonzeux RT @mwhenninger: Sometimes, you need a hand from the Joker pic.twitter.com/t7L5z7qmsT

— Valerie (@musicloverchick) January 1, 2015

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It's all fun and games until the shrinkage sets in.

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