In an ancient ritual of obscure origin that was been characterized as either insane or sublime, each year thousands of nearly-naked residents of seaside communities around the world brave the winter elements on New Year’s Day to risk life and limb by diving into what is essentially ice water. On this week’s Compass, originally aired in January of 2015, we talk with and witness the death-defying antics of scores of our Jefferson County neighbors and friends as they participate in the local version of this hallowed rite, the Marrowstone Polar Dip.
