Thousands plunge into freezing waters in New Year swims

People wait behind caution tape before taking part in the Coney Island Polar Bear Club's annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim in New York's Coney Island on Jan 1, 2013.  -- PHOTO: REUTERS

People participate in a traditional New Year's Day swim in front of the famous cliff at Etretat, western France on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

People participate in a traditional New Year's Day swim in front of the famous cliff at Etretat, western France on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Members of the Berliner Seehunde (Berlin Seals) ice swimmers club take a dip in Lake Orankesee during their traditional New Year swimming event in Berlin on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Members of the Berliner Seehunde (Berlin Seals) ice swimmers club take a dip in Lake Orankesee during their traditional New Year swimming event in Berlin on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Members of the Berliner Seehunde (Berlin Seals) ice swimmers club prepare to take a dip in Lake Orankesee during their traditional New Year swimming event in Berlin on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A man wearing a goat mask runs into the English Bay during the annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver, British Columbia on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

People run into the English Bay during the annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver, British Columbia on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A man wearing a sombrero and holding a cigar waits with other participants before taking to the frigid waters of English Bay during the annual Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver, British Columbia on Tuesday, Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP

Participants take to the frigid waters of English Bay during the annual Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver, British Columbia on Tuesday, Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP

A man enters the water while taking part in the Coney Island Polar Bear Club's annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim in New York's Coney Island on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

People enter the water while taking part in the Coney Island Polar Bear Club's annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim in New York's Coney Island on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A man dressed as a penguin enters the water while taking part in the Coney Island Polar Bear Club's annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim in New York's Coney Island on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A woman exits the water after taking part in the Coney Island Polar Bear Club's annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim in New York's Coney Island on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Mr Monte Isom of New York screams while taking part in the Coney Island Polar Bear Club's annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim in New York's Coney Island on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A swimmer with his face painted as the flag of Scotland, reacts as he sits in the water during the New Year's Day Looney Dook swim at South Queensferry in Scotland on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Swimmers in fancy dress participate in the New Year's Day Looney Dook swim at South Queensferry in Scotland on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Swimmers in fancy dress hold up placards as they participate in the New Year's Day Looney Dook swim at South Queensferry in Scotland on Jan 1, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS