ALARC, the Minnesota club behind the 1 p.m. swim in Excelsior, said prior to the event that participants were to include the tradition's founder, Bill Wenmark, 86, who has participated in 22 previous New Year's Day swims.

The Hilton Head (S.C.) Island Packet reported the 11 a.m. Hilton Head Polar Bear Plunge at Coligny Beach was expected to be attended by at least 1,000 brave swimmers while the Friends of Hunting Island said a similar number was expected for the 1 p.m. Pelican Plunge at Hunting Island State Park, which raised funds for the Discover Carolina educational program.