Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Paddlers wrap up their 2-mile paddle during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Paddlers wrap up their 2-mile paddle during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Conrad Price, 10, left, and his sister Sloan Price, 7, right, come ready in bathing suites and rain boots to take the plunge during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park. Approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier on the first day of 2023. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Mapping out the plan, Adam Strong, green hat, shows 7-year-old friends Edward Hawkins left, and Mitchell Strong, right, where they will be jumping into Lake Lanier at the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Mapping out the plan, Adam Strong, green hat, shows 7-year-old friends Edward Hawkins left, and Mitchell Strong, right, where they will be jumping into Lake Lanier at the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. Ethan Strong, 3, front left, stayed behind with mom during the jump this year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

The 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle takes place on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants, including Chad Cobb, wearing pink hat, paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Getting excited before the dive, Adam Strong, green hat, holds up his 7-year-old son Mitchell Strong, at the 25th Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle at Lake Lanier Olympic Park on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023, where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Suzi Hawkins gets ready with her family and neighbors before diving in at this year’s Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

The first group of jumpers, including Sid Challen, 9, front left, Anne Hawkins, 15, seated on dock, and Oliver Challen, on ladder, participate in the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Sid Challen, from left, Jane Hawkins, 11 and Mitchell Strong, right, take the plunge in the 25th Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle at Lake Lanier Olympic Park on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023, where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Suzi Hawkins tries to warm up after taking the dive with family and neighbors at this year’s Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Sara Knight reacts after she takes the plunge during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Justin Doll of Buford, cannonballs into the new year during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year Sunday, Jan 1, 2023. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Demi the golden retriever is a bit hesitant to go in with her people, including Sonrisa Reed, in pink suit, during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Demi the golden retriever is a bit hesitant to go in with her people during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. Demi did take the plunge into the chilly water. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

The Price family from Pensacola, including Chris, from left, Sloan, 7, Olivia, 16, and Conrad, 10, takes the plunge together during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

The Price family from Pensacola, including Chris, from left, Sloan, 7, Olivia, 16, and Conrad, 10, takes the plunge together during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Benji Ingram, left, of Gainesville, wears in his New Year’s Eve hat with Linden Martin of Cleveland who takes the plunge of a bike during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Jason Brewer of Douglasville participates in the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. Brewer took a second plunge at the end of the event. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Candice Brewer, in red suit, celebrates her plunge after she gets out during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle takes place on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

The 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle takes place on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Polar Bear Plunge an Paddle in the new year

Tom Diaz of Chamblee climbs out of the lake during the 25th year of the Polar Bear Plunge and Paddle on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park where approximately 70 participants paddled and / or jumped into Lake Lanier bringing in the new year. Diaz, who has won the costume part of the event in the past has changed from his penguin outfit to a three-piece suit this year. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)