A Mini-History of the Polar Bear Run

Jumping into a freezing body of water is a tradition that crosses many borders. Finns, Russians and generally most North Atlantic or Baltic cultures enjoy the benefits of being submerged in icy waters including the real health benefits of cold water for the body’s circulation.

The United States has its own version of this, the aptly named Polar Bear Run. Its origin is found on the East Coast in the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, which held the first-ever Polar plunge in the United States in the early 20^th century. Bernarr MacFadden, a well-known health enthusiast of his day, founded the club around 1900. He was known for espousing the benefits of fasting and hydrotherapy.

North Americans are not the only relatively recent participants; New Zealanders are also known to partake in winter swimming. And there is, apparently, something called the Midsummer Antarctic Plunge that scientists do during mid-December when researching at the South Pole. This is not for the faint of heart.

Before trying this healthful excursion, keep in mind there are real risks of hypothermia and shock for someone whose body is not accustomed to frigid temperatures. With practice, there are mood boosting and physical benefits, but definitely try a cold shower first and see how that goes.