World & Nation

Swimming with Coney Island’s Polar Bears

Louis Padilla, in blue swim trunks, and other members of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club in New York walk through the snow toward the water for their weekly winter swim. The 112-year-old club meets each Sunday from November until April for a dunk, which members swear is good for their health.

Louis Padilla, in blue swim trunks, and other members of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club in New York walk through the snow toward the water for their weekly winter swim. The 112-year-old club meets each Sunday from November until April for a dunk, which members swear is good for their health.  (Tina Susman / Los Angeles Times)

Share

Never has foul weather kept Coney Island’s Polar Bears from their 112-year-old Sunday ritual, which members swear boosts the immune system, alleviates such ailments as depression and arthritis, and makes winter fun. Rarely has that been as important as during this winter of record-high snow and record-low temperatures.

Sunday swims with the Polar Bear Club

Elliot Reed warms up before going into the water with New York’s Coney Island Polar Bear Club. Reed, who says he is not a fan of winter, claims the weekly cold-water swims help him sleep like a baby.  (Tina Susman / Los Angeles Times)

Sunday swims with the Polar Bear Club

Members of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club join hands as snow falls on them during their weekly winter swim. The water temperature, which this day is in the low 30s, often is higher than the air temperature in the winter.  (Tina Susman / Los Angeles Times)

Sunday swims with the Polar Bear Club

Polar Bear Club members run from the snow-covered beach into the waves. The 112-year-old club meets each Sunday from November until April for a swim. Members say the chilly ritual keeps them healthy.  (Tina Susman / Los Angeles Times)

Sunday swims with the Polar Bear Club

Polar Bear Club members cross the snow-covered sand of Coney Island toward the water for their weekly winter swim. The famous amusement park, in the background, is closed for the winter.  (Tina Susman / Los Angeles Times)

World & Nation

More From the Los Angeles Times