Polar bear in waters off Svalbard, Norway
Polar bear in waters off Svalbard, Norway (© Westend61/Getty Images)
Take the plunge into 2021
Happy New Year! Last year was pretty bracing and most of us are more than ready to start a new one. This polar bear seems to be shaking off 2020 with his very own—and very authentic—polar bear plunge in the waters off the Svalbard archipelago way up in the Arctic Ocean. Though the earliest records of organized ice swimming come from Russia (naturally), the practice is now very widespread. All around the world, hardy souls will be starting the new year with their own dip into icy waters.
© Westend61/Getty Images