The waters of Dorchester Bay in South Boston witnessed the annual spectacle of the L Street Brownies' Polar Plunge. Tackling the mid-30s temperatures, members and first-timers alike dove in for what has become more than a mere start-of-year ritual — it's a charity drive too. As the WHDH reports, the Brownies continued their tradition of icy immersion to welcome the new year.
With the sun beating down on a modest 41-degree day, hundreds were expected to participate in the event, which was free and open to the public. In a statement obtained by the Boston Globe, Dan Monahan, the club president, expressed this year's goal to raise $10,000, mainly through the sale of $25 T-shirts. Proceeds aim at enriching local causes such as the South Boston Special Kids & Young Adults organization as well as the South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Trust Fund.
What commenced in 1865 as a group seeking the bracing thrill of cold-water swimming, the L Street Brownies now stand as the oldest organization of their kind in the country. Monahan, a seasoned swimmer over decades, conveyed the spirit behind the plunge which is all about healthy living, having a new start, overcoming challenges, and feeling good about yourself.
The morning's events kicked off at the L Street Tavern, as early as 8 a.m., where participants and supporters gathered for the pre-plunge sale of merchandising T-shirts. Following this, an invitation for a ceremonial march to the beach, led by a pipe and drum ensemble, was extended, set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Local watering holes Roza Lyons and Tom English’s Cottage joined the efforts, offering T-shirts for sale too, as reported by Boston Globe
