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Hundreds Participate In Annual Polar Plunge

NORTH SHORE (KDKA) - Despite the cold weather hundreds of people put on their swimsuits and jumped into the river this morning.

It was all part of the annual Polar Plunge.

Every year they line the Mon River, ready to jump into frigid water and KDKA-TV's Heather Abraham was among them.

Today, the water temperature was 38 degrees for what some people call the New Year Baptism.

Jan. 1 along the Mon River, you will see old friends and new friends.

"I know it's going to be cold and fun," Gavin McCuean said.

Some took the plunge in costumes and others wore very little, but all, had one thing in common.

Stephen McClain: I just decided I was going to do it this year.

Heather Abraham: So, naturally you have a few screws loose?

McClain: Yes.

"I was sort of hoping to just run and duck. Just get my butt wet and run out. This isn't going to be that at all," Susan Gilius said.

"The New Year's Baptism. Every year into the Pittsburgh water. It's great," Carlos Schrader said.

Heather Abraham knew what she was getting into this year and wore a wetsuit. But did she cheat?

Heather: Some people might say I'm cheating am I?

Frank "Papa Bear" Nelson: A little bit, but you know what? You're here and you're going in, that's all that matters.

And in they went. Even the most experienced swimmers gasped as the fight or flight response kicked in.

President of the Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club, Frank Nelson, celebrated five decades of plunging. Even he fell short of good advice, saying it never gets easier.

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