On New Year’s Day, locals braved the cold weather to jump into the Monongahela River during the Polar Bear Club’s annual Polar Plunge. Proceeds from commemorative t-shirt sales and sponsors benefit WTAE-TV’s project Bundle-Up.
As people eagerly awaited the call to jump, Mark Halling announced that the water temperature was just below 38 degrees over a megaphone. Halling has taken the plunge 13 times although this year he helped coordinate the event.
Many of this year’s participants have become regulars, like Wayne McKenith. “This is my sixth jump…The year doesn’t end until I jump in the river.”
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People jump into the Monongahela river during the 2025 New Year’s Day Polar Plunge. -
People jump into the Monongahela river during the Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club Plunge on Jan. 1, 2025. -
People jump into the Monongahela river during the Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club Plunge on Jan. 1, 2025. -
Jay Martz poses for a portrait with a banana on his head before jumping in the river for the second year in a row. -
People jump into the Monongahela river during the 2025 Polar Plunge on Jan. 1, 2025. -
People jump into the Monongahela river during the 2025 Polar Plunge on Jan. 1, 2025. -
Mark Holtkamp wears a custom shirt to this year’s Polar Bear Club Plunge. -
Howard Congdon raises his arms in the air after jumping into the Monongahela River on Jan. 1, 2025. -
Scott Walton prepares to jump into the Monongahela River on Jan. 1, 2025. -
People jump into the Monongahela river during the 2025 Polar Plunge on Jan. 1, 2025. -
John Gielas prepares to jump into the Monongahela River on Jan. 1, 2025. -
Jayme Gardner and his dog Cash take the plunge. -
The Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club hosts their 2025 New Year’s Day polar plunge in the Monongahela River on Jan. 1, 2025. -
People jump into the Monongahela river during the 2025 Polar Plunge on Jan. 1, 2025. -
Howard Congdon swims in the Monongahela River during the Polar Bear Plunge on Jan. 1, 2025. -
Mark Halling announces that the water temperature is 38 degrees. -
People prepare to jump into the Monongahela river during the 2025 Polar Plunge on Jan. 1, 2025. -
People prepare to jump into the Monongahela river during the 2025 Polar Plunge on Jan. 1, 2025.
