Most people in a cold water swim-world record
set by Long Beach Polar Bears
NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA -- 3,500 sponsored swimmers
gathered to take a frosty plunge into the Atlantic Ocean for
the 12th annual Long
Beach Polar Bear Club
dip, to make dreams come true
for children with life threatening illnesses-setting the world
record for the Most
people in a cold water swim
.
Many swimmers went into the water numerous
times, exiting towards the boardwalk where observers offered
cheers and words of praise. Some swimmers came dressed in
costumes with props and elaborate head-gear. ( enlarge
photo
)
The
Polar Plunge™ is organized much like a walk-a-thon. Participants
will get donations from people who sponsor them to enter the
chilly water. Many plungers create personal web pages to seek
donations from friends and family.
As swimmers exited the beach soaking wet they
wrapped themselves in bathrobes, towels and blankets to keep
warm in the 43-degree air.
According to Long
Beach Polar Bear Club
, the idea for the jump started
in 1998, when Kevin McCarthy and Pete Meyers decided it would
be a great way to kick off Super Bowl Sunday with a brief
swim in the water.
By 2000, Patti and Mike Bradley had decided to
turn the Polar Bear swim into an annual event to donate to
Make a Wish foundation in honor of their son, Paulie, who
had lost a battle with cancer at age 4.
To date, they've raised more than $1 million
to grant wishes for kids with life-threatening medical conditions,
a spokeswoman said.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Related world records
:
Most
people running in a "Stiletto Sprint''-Australia sets world
record
Most
People Playing Domino-world record set by World Domino Championship
