In N.Y., It’s 100 Years of Chilly-Dipping

Every day is a good day for the beach, the head of the Coney Island Polar Bears Club likes to say, and this New Year’s Day will be no exception.

The club, whose members frolic in the chilly surf off Coney Island in Brooklyn. N.Y., the first day of each year, is marking its 100th anniversary with Wednesday’s holiday swim.

As many as 200 people are expected to take the plunge, although most only brave the water up to their ankles, club member Louis Scarcella said. True Polar Bears -- there are 50 full-fledged members -- stay in the water 10 or 15 minutes, he said.