"This wasn’t just a dip in the ocean. It was a statement: This year, I’m all in. Cold. Fearless. Determined. That’s what GonnaHappen is all about." — Aaron G. Beebe | Founder, GonnaHappen.com

Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge: A GonnaHappen Moment!

May 5, 2025 | GonnaHappen.com | , ,

Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge: A GonnaHappen Moment!

By Aaron G. Beebe | Founder of GonnaHappen.com

New Year’s Day Traditions… What’s Yours?

Some people start their year with resolutions. Others start it with reflection, family, fireworks, or a mimosa brunch.
Me? I started 2011 by jumping into the freezing Atlantic Ocean—because that’s how legends kick off a new chapter.

Welcome to the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge — an iconic New Year’s tradition that’s part insanity, part celebration, and 100% unforgettable. And for one bone-chilling morning, I was part of it.

🌊 GonnaHappen in Brooklyn

There’s something magical about Coney Island in winter. The beach is quiet, the boardwalk is buzzing with anticipation, and the icy sea? Oh, it’s waiting — daring you to dive in.

The Coney Island Polar Bear Club, one of the oldest winter bathing organizations in the country (founded in 1903), hosts this annual plunge for anyone bold enough to face the Atlantic at its coldest. Thousands gather, some in costumes, some in nothing but swim trunks and guts. We laugh, we scream, and we plunge.

I joined the madness back in 2011, and it’s been frozen in my memory ever since.

📍 The Essentials:

  • When: New Year’s Day, 2011
  • Where: Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn, New York
  • Why: To shock your system, reset your spirit, and start the year with an unforgettable splash.

🥶 What It’s Like to Take the Plunge

Let me tell you — no amount of mental prep or hot coffee can fully prepare you for what happens when your body hits that water. It’s not just cold. It’s arctic. Your breath leaves your lungs like it owes you money.

But something wild happens in those frozen moments…
You feel alive.
Stripped of fear.
Stripped of doubt.
And standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other adventurers, it feels like you’re part of something ancient and brave.

🔥 Pro Tips for Future Polar Bears:

  • Bundle Up Before and After: Think thermal layers, wool socks, a thick beanie, and someone waiting nearby with hot cocoa.
  • Bring a Big Towel (or Two): Because one will be soaked before you even make it to your shoes.
  • Skip the Cotton: It holds cold water like a grudge. Stick with wool, neoprene, or synthetic athletic gear.
  • Come for the Plunge, Stay for the Culture: The Coney Island Museum showcases the wild history of the Polar Bear Club — and yes, I’m honored to say a photo of my 2011 plunge made it into the collection. 🧊📸

💬 Why It’s a GonnaHappen Moment – Gallery

At GonnaHappen, we celebrate experiences that challenge the norm — moments that remind us life is meant to be lived, not just observed.

This wasn’t just a dip in the ocean.
It was a statement: This year, I’m all in.
Cold. Fearless. Determined.
That’s what GonnaHappen is all about.

📸 Original Post & Throwback Gallery:

🌐 Follow the Journey

Let’s keep this energy alive all year long.
📲 Follow, support, and dive into more moments that make life GonnaHappen:

📢 Hashtags for the Plunge:

#GonnaHappenNewYork #PolarBearSwim #ConeyIsland #Brownsville #Brooklyn
#gonnahappenhappeningbuzz #gonnahappenagainsoon #MuseumMoment #NewYearsTradition #aarongbeebe

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“This wasn’t just a dip in the ocean. It was a statement: This year, I’m all in. Cold. Fearless. Determined. That’s what GonnaHappen is all about.”
— Aaron G. Beebe | Founder, GonnaHappen.com

Polar Bear Membe