The new year may have started with freezing temperatures, but that didn’t stop hundreds from making a splash into 2026.

"I feel great!" said longtime participant Andrea E. Luongo. "The cold water just is my zen."

The Rye Triathlon Club's New Year's Polar Plunge brought veteran jumpers, like Luongo, and first-time participants to Oakland Beach Park. It is an icy tradition that started 26 years ago.

"This started by the club's founder, who woke up the day after New Year's and said he kind of needed to shock his system to a new start," said the club's co-president, Maria Seiler.

Twenty-six years later, the goal of the cause now is to raise money to help others in the community. This year, the plunge raised $3,000 for two local charities each: Soul Ryders and Meals on Main Street.

"It's really a community that makes all this happen," said Ken Harris, who served as the event's emcee. "We just found both of the organizations to be fantastic."

Whether they braced the icy waters or just jumped in and out, everyone left with bragging rights. That includes Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman, who shared words of encouragement to those participating in this year's event.

"Go in," he said. "If you have the strength to stay in, fine. Otherwise, go in, come out, raise your hand and say, 'I did it! I accomplished something.' That's really important."